tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64356792742014647162024-03-14T03:28:01.158-04:00Learning and LeadingThe Official Blog of Earlham School of ReligionEarlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.comBlogger268125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-56009845430660336802018-06-18T08:53:00.000-04:002018-06-22T08:55:16.917-04:00Samantha Hasty: Seeing Hope in the Hopeless<i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;">ESR MDiv graduate Samantha Hasty<a href="http://www.stevecleaver.com/" style="color: #888888;"> </a>offers the following reflection on her recent travel as part of ESR's </b><b>Contextual Theology Intensive to Cuba </b><b>May 20th-28th, 2018:</b></i><br />
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Time and again during our eight
days in Cuba, we saw hope. There was never not hope there. I do not know why it
was so surprising to me. Hope is a core belief of who I am, yet I could not
stop myself from loving the shock and aww I felt over and over as each day we
met a new person with endless amounts of hope for Cuba. I grew up thinking the
worst about Cuba. I was taught it was led by an evil man with evil plans and
filled with evil people because they would choose to stay there. The only
people there we ever felt compassion for (at least in my childlike
understanding of the Cuban existence) was the ones we heard about trying to
escape such as the family of Elian Gonzalez in 2000. I can now say that I have
spent time on the other side of this conversation, and in the words of my
beloved Professor at ESR (Rev. Dr. Nancy Bowen), “it is complicated.” Indeed,
it is complicated. On our American side, we have been given only our side of
the story, and in Cuba they have been given theirs. My mother always taught me
there are three sides to a story: yours, mine, and the truth. Somewhere in the
middle of both our sides of propaganda and experience, there is truth; there is
hope.<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cuba showed
our traveling group a wonderful side of itself. We saw the historical sights
and witnessed Old Havana which is celebrating its five hundredth anniversary
next year. The architecture everywhere is still under repair from the island
experiencing the hurricanes last year. The people however seem unfazed. For
them, as they told us throughout the entire week, it has been and always could
be worse than what it is now. Repairing and restoring is simply what the Cuban
people do. They are constantly finding a way to band together and make things
happen for themselves. During the years after the Soviet Union collapsed and
their main source of income was cut off (commonly known as The Special Period),
the Cuban people knew a hunger that competed with the people in Acts 6 who
witnessed their widows going without while the widows of the privileged had
plenty. One young man shared with us that while he was growing up he was only
ever given one maranga (Cuban potato) a day. He said now that he is a fledgling
adult he will not go anywhere near a maranga. There is an entire generation of
Cubans that have grown up only knowing the post-Soviet Union influence on Cuba.
They are tired and worn out from thinking about what good the revolution
(started in 1959 by Fidel Castro and other revolutionaries) can bring. Yet,
even this younger generation has a never-yielding hope. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No matter
where I looked, I saw the hope that carries the Cuban people forward. They have
known hunger, fear, poverty and separation. They all seemed to have stories of
family in other countries. They are isolated from many of them that have made
their way to the United States. Some Cubans speak with admiration of their
American relatives and others speak with resentment of them for leaving the
island. The people on the island understand something has to change if they
expect their way of life to continue. Socialism to them, from my perspective at
least, is simply and extension of how they already understand to do life as a
community of people. They do not see themselves as individuals. They are Cuban
first and foremost. Their socialist views simply back up what they already know
about what it means to be Cuban. Hope permeates every part of that way of
thinking. There is no amount of blockade, embargo, or isolation that will kill
that kind of spirit. Some worry the younger generation will not be able to
carry it on, but from where I sit, that kind of hope is hard to quash. Hope is
what kept the starving people of Cuba alive in the 1990’s when there was no
reason to believe they could survive. Hope is what makes them sure that things
will only continue to turn around for them. Hope is why they rebuild old
buildings while their people still struggle for basic needs. They know that
they are in this together. Their work to keep it alive requires them to make
personal sacrifices so in another five hundred years Cuba will still stand
proud and independent. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have no
way of knowing for sure what will happen in Cuba next, but I do know that along
with them I now have hope for Cuba. Whereas when I was a girl I could only see
evil, I now only see potential goodness in every corner of the island and its
people. There is only hope that Cuba will find a way to survive as it has
always done against all odds.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My only
critique is to us on this side of the story. Neither side has been perfect, but
on both sides, there are starving widows. We are responsible for correcting
that issue as the foundation of what it means to be a Christian and a Friend.
As in Acts 6, we need to find the ones who are called and the ones who will go
to resolve this issue. We need leadership to guide us to a place of peace and
companionship with Cuba and her people. Our opportunity in Cuba to show love is
as endless and full of potential as that of Cuba’s ability to hope. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333;">Rev. Samantha Hasty is a church planter in San Antonio, TX. She is an optimist to the end and loves people in a deep and real way with more passion than is reasonable most days. She is an ESR graduate and has plans to go for her D.Min soon. Check out her church website here: </span><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT229_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f1616; cursor: pointer;"><a href="http://www.hopealivemin.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f1616; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">www.hopealivemin.org</a></span></b></i></span></div>
<br />Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-21870366473693242792018-06-11T08:15:00.000-04:002018-06-22T08:55:31.152-04:00Keelin Anderson: Highlights from the 2018 ESR Contextual Theology Intensive to Cuba<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;">ESR MDiv student Keelin Anderson<a href="http://www.stevecleaver.com/" style="color: #888888;"> </a>offers the following on her recent travel as part of ESR's </b><b>Contextual Theology Intensive to Cuba </b><b>May 20th-28th, 2018:</b></i></span></div>
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<b>Living in Cuba</b></div>
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My dorm room in the <a href="https://cmlk.org/">Centro Martin Luther King</a> (CMLK) in Marianao,
Havana, was surprisingly comfortable, with AC and a bathroom with shower. Things
do not work the same in Havana as in Portland, OR, where I live. Due to the US
Blockade of trade with Cuba, Cubans have limited access to many basic aspects
of life that I take for granted. Most of the toilets we found did not have
seats, presumably because they wore out 20 years ago and could not be replaced.
At times we had to go without napkins and toilet paper. The water is not as
clean as in the US. We were told to avoid consuming the water (including ice in
beverages, teeth brushing, and fresh veggies or fruit). This was not only
impossible to do, but confusing as we were told everywhere we went that the
water and food was safe. I think most of us got sick at some point during the
week, a few severely.<br />
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We were treated to the best food both at the CMLK and at several
private restaurants. I understood that the average Cuban could not afford to
eat at these restaurants. Each Cuban has a ration book to buy food but the
monthly allowance is not enough. The most one could hope to make at a job was about
$900/mo, but over 50% of Cubans earn less than $100/mo and food is expensive.
Cuban housing, health care, and education are provided by the government. We
saw some Cubans with smart phones but it was hard to tell how many used them as
wi-fi is not widely available and the internet is slow with low band-width. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Breakfast was eggs, mango, pineapple, watermelon, cereal, kefir,
and fruit juice. Coffee was the best I have had (and I live where gourmet
coffee is available on every block). Lunch and dinner were mango, papaya
(called “frutabomba” as “papaya” is slang for the female genitals), pineapple;
salad of shredded cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes; m<span lang="ES-TRAD" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD;">oros y </span>c<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;">ristianos</span> (“moors and christians” - black
beans and white rice) and “tostones” (fried unripe plantain - like a french fry
disk); cooked protein of tuna, sea bass, chicken, pork, or beef, and at one
restaurant amazing shredded lamb. Dessert consisted of flan, various cakes,
cheese & jam, or ice cream. Coffee after every meal. Surprisingly, though
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ydRllPrbN0c/WxqfrMcJWyI/AAAAAAAABY4/bMg2hN3x2nQW77zGps63l8Etlbvt14JqQCLcBGAs/s1600/K8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ydRllPrbN0c/WxqfrMcJWyI/AAAAAAAABY4/bMg2hN3x2nQW77zGps63l8Etlbvt14JqQCLcBGAs/s320/K8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Most Cubans cannot afford to have a car. We saw a lot of people
waiting for and packed into buses. On the city streets and highway I saw horse
carts and motored carts with people riding in the back, a few bicycles and
motorcycles, along with a small variety of Russian, Korean, and old American
cars. Pedestrians and motor vehicles share the streets and highway with marked
nonchalance. The colorful American cars from the 50s, mostly taxis, that are an
iconic Havana sight are a part of the tourist industry, one of the few areas of
the economy that has resources to maintain vehicles and buildings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We traveled around in a trusty old tour bus, with opaque windows
and a leaky roof, but a reliable engine, tires, and an utterly unflappable
driver, José.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Religion</span></b><!--[if gte vml 1]><o:wrapblock><v:shapetype
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMmLnRPVWyY/WxqhADYrhFI/AAAAAAAABZU/DadzKuXicnc4KEy7smsNFhaY366nwYxKwCLcBGAs/s1600/K12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMmLnRPVWyY/WxqhADYrhFI/AAAAAAAABZU/DadzKuXicnc4KEy7smsNFhaY366nwYxKwCLcBGAs/s320/K12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We met with Raúl Suárez, the founder
and director of the CMLK (Top: from left to right, Polo, our outstanding
translator who sounds just like Ricardo Montalban from Fantasy Island; Raúl;
Carmen, our excellent guide; and Karla, ESR graduate extraordinaire). Raúl explained that after the Cuban
Revolution of 1959, the government saw the Church as unnecessary to the
revolutionary process. He asserted that religion was not persecuted so much as
put under ideological pressure such that many pastors left Cuba. In the 1970s
and 1980s the government’s attitude towards religion gradually shifted, aided
by the introduction of Liberation Theology to Cuba. The CMLK is funded by the
government to promote a “Cuban Theology of Liberation” through various social
and educational programs, ultimately to sow revolutionary values of
sovereignty, solidarity, and equality. The majority of churches in Cuba are in
partnership with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), which limits the
ordination of women and LGBTQ+ inclusion. The church at the CMLK was expelled
from the SBC because they ordained women. The CMLK church is also welcoming to
people of all sexual orientations and genders.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We also spoke with a Quaker pastor
named Kirenia Criado (Bottom: center). Quakers in Cuba are evangelical, due to
their missionary inspired roots, and are concentrated in the eastern part of
the country. Kirenia is a third generation Quaker who through her schooling,
ended up in Havana in the west. Bringing the small Quaker population in Havana
together proved to be a challenge as they were all from different Quaker
churches in the east and had different ideas about worship and what it meant to
be a Quaker. She brought them together by having them study Quaker history and
read the classic Quakers (facilitated by some New England Quakers’ translation
of some texts for Cubans). The result of this study is that Havana Quakers are
the most “Quaker-like” of Cuban Quakers, specifically non-hierarchical with
shared ministry. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff9Xsc8j3Sw/Wxqh05pUEUI/AAAAAAAABZk/QVJncPMXN14cFDQ4k5YvLkIuW6ef6NZYACLcBGAs/s1600/K13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff9Xsc8j3Sw/Wxqh05pUEUI/AAAAAAAABZk/QVJncPMXN14cFDQ4k5YvLkIuW6ef6NZYACLcBGAs/s320/K13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDkzUsAtcoE/Wxqh03C7n5I/AAAAAAAABZo/_7mh2CCYhJUeb31PoO-T4T3SgZDWCGWeACLcBGAs/s1600/K14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDkzUsAtcoE/Wxqh03C7n5I/AAAAAAAABZo/_7mh2CCYhJUeb31PoO-T4T3SgZDWCGWeACLcBGAs/s320/K14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We learned about Afro-Cuban religion
at a museum devoted to Cuba’s African heritage located in old Havana. The
African religions brought with the slaves to Cuba were severely repressed
through most of Cuba’s history due to whites’ fears of a black revolution like
occurred in nearby Haiti. The thousands of tribes in Africa (80 or so of which
are represented in Cuba) communicated through drumming, as they spoke different
languages. These various drum rhythms form the base for the unique beats of
Cuban music.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mjHM2XKWEk0/WxqjIFCyUuI/AAAAAAAABZ0/dCREt2ffvC8-93GFk80r7jGNVvMjXk3twCLcBGAs/s1600/K15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mjHM2XKWEk0/WxqjIFCyUuI/AAAAAAAABZ0/dCREt2ffvC8-93GFk80r7jGNVvMjXk3twCLcBGAs/s320/K15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Catholic church was active in
repressing Afro-Cuban religion. Many of the Catholic symbols and rites are
superimposed over the African ones. At first this was to provide a Catholic
cover for Afro-Cuban religious practice to continue in secret. Later this
evolved into a syncretic modern religion that uses both African and Catholic
traditions together in their worship.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzh2OIse2uMW2cge_p9XIkCP48k1r6l6KE_59yb-ZuoX2vDGA759ppEZuUlP8iDHPn5Yv_SkFLRvU-ZsQ8k2w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cubans are experts at survival and
creatively making due with what they have. The white land-owners took away the
Africans’ drums so they beat anything they could find, including produce boxes.
The Cajon, pictured above under the drummer, is the modern instrument evolved
out of those boxes. This drummer did fabulous solos all night slapping and
beating the Cajon between his legs at light-speed. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The pinnacle of Santeria, the evolved
form of the Afro-Cuban religion, is the Santero, or priest. The Santero
traditionally wears beads around his neck to signify which Orisha, or god, he
divines with. In Cuba they did not have access to beads so they used what they
had, in this case, twisted electrical wire, to make their Orisha necklaces. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I came across a snapshot of the Cuban
version of colonial-inspired racism and cultural appropriation in a book I took
along on the trip: <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Island-People-Caribbean-Joshua-Jelly-Schapiro/dp/0345804996">Island People: The Caribbean and the World</a></i> by Joshua
Jelly-Shapiro. During the 1930s, under Geraldo Machado, fear of black revolt in
Cuba took the form of repressing Afro-Cuban gatherings. The then white governor
of Santiago, Desiderio Arnaz, enacted that policy by banning conga dancing and
drumming. Conga was an Afro-Cuban religious celebration carried out in the
streets on feast days. Some believe the steps of the dance, where people follow
each other in a line lifting their feet to the side, developed when slaves were
chained together. When Arnaz was chased out of Cuba after Machado’s ouster from
the presidency, he went to Miami. His son, Desi, later married Lucille Ball and
made it rich introducing conga dancing to hoards of drunk white Americans.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Socialism
and the US Blockade</span></b><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1034"
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DpPT9DGWHYs/Wxqjw1uzRvI/AAAAAAAABZ8/Wyvm2sHNl08Kq0FTk67y8bDQCS71-J9aACLcBGAs/s1600/K16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DpPT9DGWHYs/Wxqjw1uzRvI/AAAAAAAABZ8/Wyvm2sHNl08Kq0FTk67y8bDQCS71-J9aACLcBGAs/s320/K16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is Dr. Lesbia Cánovas whom we met
in her clinic on the bottom floor of her home. She is responsible 24/7 for the
basic medical care of a little over 1000 residents in the 4 block radius of her
clinic. She is given 4 weeks of vacation a year, in two, two-week periods. She
has been running her home clinic for 30 years. Her clinic is the bottom tier of
Cuban health care. Cuba is able to manufacture some of their own drugs but many
medications, especially cancer drugs, are not available. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Both medical care and education are
free to all in Cuba regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or
religion. The government will pay for medication and surgery for transgender
folks. For people who complete a university degree, they “pay it back” by three
years of working where the government needs them. This may or may not be in the
field they trained in. In general I gathered that Cubans are highly educated
but unable to enact their full potential due to the poverty induced by
America’s senseless continuation of the blockade.</span><!--[if gte vml 1]><o:wrapblock><v:shape
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<b><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">¡Viva la Revolució</span></b><b><span lang="RU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">n!</span></b>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I began to think that “revolutionism”
for Cuba is their central ideology much like “individualism” is ours in the US.
From government propaganda all the way down to the family and citizen, we
wrestle, both consciously and unconsciously, with what these ideologies
actually mean in relation to claiming our national heritages. In America, some
of us use individualism to blame poor people (often of color) for their poverty
(under the myth of equal opportunity) while others use it to claim liberation
of self-expression for gender and sexuality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In Cuba, the ideals of revolution are
traced to José Martí (1853-1895). Revolution Square, pictured above (with the
head of Ché on the top and a statue of Martí on the bottom under the tower),
was actually designed before Castro’s takeover in 1959 but not completed until
after the revolution. The ideals of revolution in Cuba are equality and
solidarity, both among Cubans and with other colonized peoples (hence their
assistance for revolutionaries in Africa and Latin America). This revolutionary
ideal evolved from the fact that being Cuban means to be a descendant of Native
Islanders, Spanish, Chinese, and Africans. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What brings these disparate ancestries
together is what Martí called “cubanidad.” He wrote, “The rachitic thinkers and
theorists juggle and warm over the library-shelf races, which the open-minded
traveler and well-disposed observer seek in vain in Nature’s justice, where the
universal identity of man leaps forth from triumphant love and the turbulent
lust for life” (Jelly-Shapiro 133). To Martí, to be a revolutionary is to break
through systems of inequality based on race and class that are sold as natural
and normal; and, to be Cuban is to come together in love and life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How “revolution” plays out in Cuba
today is complicated. The US embargo, established in 1960 after Castro’s
government nationalized American oil refineries in Cuba, puts substantial
pressure on countries around the world that trade with America to not trade
with Cuba. This contributed to Cuba’s primary reliance on the Soviet Union for
trade. When the Soviet Union fell in 1989, Cuba was essentially abandoned
economically. This is referred to as the “Special Period.” There was no food
because to please the Soviet Union Cuba had put its agricultural resources into
sugar production. There was no electricity because gas came from the Soviets.
Cubans gathered around the homes of those who had batteries that could be
charged on the two hours of electricity available each day to refrigerate food
stores. They ate whatever they had, a lot of yams and even the peels of
bananas. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Cubans who were born before the
Special Period see this time as a triumph of the revolution in that because the
Cuban people were used to the ethic of solidarity, they came together to
survive the Special Period and no one starved. The youth, born during the
Special Period, take their free health care and education, products of the
revolution, for granted. They just remember scarcity and see the government
limiting their freedom of movement and individual achievement. Now they see on
social media all the things they do not have. Many of them dream of leaving.</span><!--[if gte vml 1]><o:wrapblock><v:shape
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6435679274201464716" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6435679274201464716" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6435679274201464716" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6435679274201464716" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6435679274201464716" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6435679274201464716" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6435679274201464716" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6435679274201464716" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6435679274201464716" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One heart-opening wonder of
“revolutionism” may be the Cuban people’s ability to enact equality perhaps
more swiftly than other countries. We met Ramón Silverio, pictured with Polo
above, in his social club, “El Mejunje.” El Mejunje means “broth” as in you put
all different meats and veggies in the pot and they combine to make a delicious
soup. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In 1984, Silverio started El Mejunje in
Santa Clara as a place where all people could come together in safety and
acceptance. At the time there was no acceptance for homosexuality and the
government had a history of persecuting sexual minorities. Silverio took an
acting group all around Cuba to teach, through entertainment, acceptance of
gays, lesbians, and trans people. Now El Mejunje has different shows and music
every day of the week for different audiences. LGBTQ+ folks, young and old, and
all colors of people now come to the club. Elderly ladies come for the
traditional Cuban music and to maybe find a date. Teens come for electronica.
Middle aged het/cis men and women come for rock & roll, and Silverio says
Saturday is the gayest night of the week with modern Cuban music.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is the last picture I took, from
the bus as we left a fancy Jazz restaurant. It struck me as a visual metaphor
for the Cuban people. A dark skinned woman looks out from behind bars at the
white Americans exiting a restaurant in her neighborhood where she cannot
afford to eat. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">Keelin Anderson joined ESR as an MDiv Access student in the spring of 2016. She spent the spring 2018 semester on campus as a residential student. Keelin lives in Portland, OR, where she attends Multnomah Monthly Meeting (North Pacific Yearly Meeting). She holds a BA from Reed College and a BS from Oregon Health Sciences University. </i></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-30429461314351852732018-04-25T14:56:00.000-04:002018-04-25T14:56:07.563-04:00New Student Introduction: Brown Mujete<br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>We are excited to begin introducing to you some of our incoming students for the fall 2018-19 entering class. Our first introduction is from Brown Mujete, who joins us as an MA International</i> <i>Cooper Scholar from Kenya. He shares some thoughts on coming to ESR below:</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">I was born and bred in the western province of Kenya to
Christian parents and pastors in the Friends Church Quakers. I’m the third born
in a family of four; a brother and two sisters. I schooled in northern Kenya (Turkana
County) for both my primary and secondary education where I met and accepted
Christ as my Lord and Savior.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">After
high school, I joined <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ftc.kaimosi">Friends Theological College – Kaimosi</a> in 2006 to pursue a
Diploma in Theology which is my passion. While in Kaimosi, I served as a
chaplain and a pastor to various schools and churches. In 2009 I moved to
Lodwar where I served under Pastor John Moru as the youth pastor in Lodwar
Monthly Meeting Turkana County.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 2pt;"> </span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">I
later joined <a href="http://www.spu.ac.ke/">St. Paul’s University – Limuru – Kenya</a> for a bachelor of divinity
program and graduated in 2012. My ministerial passion is teaching and preaching
the gospel, serving with the elderly people, mentally challenged and people
with various disabilities. I like listening to people with various challenges,
praying with them and offering myself to help where possible.</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">In
December 2015 I got married to Petra at a colorful church wedding at Eldoret
Town Village Meeting. We are foster parents to baby Alexis Judy (18 Months old)
whom we took in when she was 2 months old after her mother requested us to do
it since she was a student and unable to fend for her. On 23</span><sup style="font-family: inherit;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"> March
2018 God blessed us with a baby Boy Drake Jeremy.</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Petra
is pursuing a diploma in finance and accounting at the moment graduating in
November 2018. Our dream is to develop a home for the elderly and people with
psychological disorders in western Kenya.</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">We
looking forward to joining ESR to learn and gain new experience from friends
for the betterment of the ministry we have been called to.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-59948836241898422282018-03-26T15:56:00.000-04:002018-06-22T08:55:48.505-04:00God in the Checkout Line<b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>ESR MDiv student Keelin Anderson<a href="http://www.stevecleaver.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;"> </a>prepared the following essay for the <a href="http://www.pnwquakerwomen.org/conference/">Pacific Northwest Quaker Women's Theology Conference</a> coming up June 6-10, 2018, in Canby Grove, Oregon: </i></b><br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am currently
staying for a few months in a small town called Richmond in rural Indiana.
Unlike my neighborhood in Portland, OR, there is no Whole Foods here, no
organic kale, no unbleached toilet paper, no vegan deli, and few who could
afford these things if they were available. The local grocery store does a find
job, but they do not have the staff to rush to open a new cash register when
the line gets longer than two customers. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was recently
approaching the check-out area at a time when there was one register available
with a line of six to eight folks waiting. Just as I arrived, a store employee
opened the express lane where I was standing. I looked over to the long line to
see who was next and waved that gentleman through in front of me. He signed thank
you (one of the few signs I know) and went ahead with his cart. I wondered if
he was hearing impaired. He was stooped over, weathered. The next man in line
came over but waved me in ahead of him, indicating that I only had one item. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The cashier checked
and bagged the first man’s items. She asked him if he had their loyalty card.
He was slowly getting out his payment card, concentrating on the debit machine.
He did not react to her. I mentioned that he may be hearing impaired. She asked
a few more times more loudly, then stopped. He took a long time to manage the
payment machine. He brought his face close to read the screen. I glanced at the
people in line behind me. Their faces looked resigned. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I felt grateful
that I was not in a hurry. I felt an opening and outpouring from my heart for
this man as a fellow human being. This was not so much a mental activity as a
complete body feeling. I felt tenderness for how all of us are shuffling along
here, getting in each other’s way, living our lives the best we can with our
physical limitations, life conditions, injustices. I felt grateful that I was
personally in a mental, physical, and emotional moment where joy and patience
were available to me. I felt grateful to God for this moment of awareness and
opening.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man finally
finished his payment and moved his bags to his cart. I felt the release of
tension in the folks around me. He went to move on then paused, reaching for
his pocket. He pulled out an empty pack of cigarettes. He pointed to it,
looking at the cashier. Her expression was helpful, attentive. I felt she was
doing well to try to attend him though she had other customers waiting. They
both proceeded together to the wall where the cigarettes were apparently stored
in a locked case. When they came back to their respective places, the cashier
held up three types of the same brand, asking with her movements which type he
wanted. He pointed and impatiently gestured with two fingers for two. The
cashier went back to the wall to the locked case. Gently amused, I wondered if
we were going to do the long debit machine thing again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At that moment
the man turned to me with a look of irritation, rolling his eyes clearly as if
to say that the service here was terrible, as if the delay and the
communication problems were all the clerk’s fault. I felt my defenses
momentarily shift into place and my heart start to close against this man where
a moment before I had felt open and joyful. I got a glimpse of his personality
and I did not like him. I wanted to side with the clerk. This man did not
deserve my love and generosity of heart. He was further delaying us all for his
nicotine habit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Right then I had
another opening. God asked me what it would be like to be this man in the
world. How would I feel to speak a different language than what most others
around me speak: to have to take extra time to communicate with everyone; to
negotiate public places not set up in my language; to feel other’s
embarrassment and irritation; to feel the shame of being different than what
our society constructs as normal; to be judged for being poor, a smoker,
disabled, slow. Would I not have defenses? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And were not my
own small fears of being hurt by this man’s attitude triggering my own defenses
in this moment? I was judging him to protect myself. I felt a wave of
forgiveness for both of us together, myself for judging him, and him for his
attitude. Again I felt the opening of Christ’s tenderness for us ordinary human
beings. My heart opened again in empathy and joy with this man as I (with some
small relief) saw him take out cash for his cigarettes. We both had defenses in
action to cover our fear of being hurt. We were both actively working to escape
the shame of having our tender real selves exposed to the public. We were both being
human and we were both held in the awe-full compassion of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>George Fox asks
us in a 1656 letter from prison to “Be patterns, be examples in all countries,
places, islands, nations wherever you come; that your carriage and life may
preach among all sorts of people, and to them; then you will come to walk
cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone; whereby in them
you may be a blessing, and make the witness of God in them to bless you.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This story
illustrates what this quote means to me at this time. It is my commitment as a
Quaker to do all I can in my own awareness to be available to the openings of
God. This means I am available to Christ making me a pattern and example of
God’s Grace in the world such that my “carriage,” how I carry myself, reflects
Christ’s compassion and forgiveness. This means that I realize as much as
possible that I am a fallible human being like everyone else. And, that I
forgive myself with God’s Grace for my moments of cowardice and failing as I
forgive others for theirs. In radical compassion and forgiveness for self and
others, with my eyes on God, I am able to “walk cheerfully” because when all my
little resentments and discomforts, not to mention my big pain and sorrows, are
held in love, what is left is a joy in which to hold others. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">Keelin Anderson joined ESR as an MDiv Access student in the spring of 2016. She is spending the spring 2018 semester on campus as a residential student. Keelin lives in Portland, OR, where she attends Multnomah Monthly Meeting (North Pacific Yearly Meeting). She holds a BA from Reed College and a BS from Oregon Health Sciences University. </i></div>
<br />Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-2417396425016600472018-03-23T09:49:00.000-04:002018-06-22T08:56:09.992-04:00Practicing Mysticism in the World<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>ESR Board of Advisors Clerk Dwight L. Wilson<a href="http://www.stevecleaver.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;"> </a>delivered the following message during ESR worship on Thursday, March 22, 2018:</b></span></i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, Robert Walter Weir</td></tr>
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Jesus was my first hero. I expect him to also be my last. One of my favorite stories is of him in the Garden of Gethsemane praying, "If it's possible, remove this cup." We don't read the answer; it is implied. This is almost universally true in the Gospels. Jesus prays. By his actions we learn the answer.</div>
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I write modern psalms directed to the Holy One. I am a mystic who, like Jesus, receives my answers in organic surround sound. From the Spiritual Source I act out my response. This has been true since in nearby Middletown, Ohio I became both the first conscientious objector I had ever met and the first black protester I knew to take complaining to the streets. From the activation of spirituality I am happy to say I have photos of my three young grandchildren demonstrating separately at multiple sights in California and Kansas. One person is an aberration. A second generation is a trend. A third generation is a family tradition. As Jesus' brother said, "Faith without works is dead."<br />
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Jesus was an itinerant common-unity mystic, not a cave-dwelling mystic or lounge chair memorizer of memories. He also did not confine himself to contemplating other people's ideas. Continuing revelation, a cornerstone of those who are convinced God is neither dead nor retired behind the clouds, says even in these dark ages you and I have direct access to the Holy One.</div>
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My goal also is to be in constant contact with the Holy Spirit while always moving. I am nobody's savior, but I am a person who wants to honor my uniqueness: black and Quaker. That it includes a great deal of reading and researching from various sources is a part of who I am. In meeting for worship or hospitals, living or board rooms, police or corporate offices, The Spirit is always waiting for you and me. I try to increase the times I arrive in a timely fashion.</div>
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Tuesday I spoke of my work holding cardiac babies for the past 7 years each Monday in Mott Children's Hospital. This practice starts my week because babies come directly from the Holy One and remind me of my former purity. They have no artifice. Although many have had operations even before birth and nearly all have had at least one open heart surgery, their courage is boundless. Their living witness and sometime death--we lose about 30 a year-- sets my week's tone. Also in most weeks, I'm going to:</div>
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1. write historical fiction about the antebellum period in the United States, insuring in my series "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sarahs-Song-Esi-Mother-Book-ebook/dp/B00AA46WDU">Esi Was My Mother</a>," or my short story book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079CPKVNL">Kidnapped</a>," that the African-American voice is heard about life both in the south and the north where racism was nearly as codified. Whether millions read it is not the point. My job is merely to make it available.</div>
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2. work on my manuscript "Whispering to Babies," insuring that one day others may read how to soothe babies and calm their own bombarded souls.</div>
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3. use Facebook to correspond--beyond likes--with more than 1200 friends. I reach out and touch each "friend" at least 3 times a year. Almost 300 I do so at least once a month. My wife says I'm pastoring. Since I help them through job loss, relationship breakups, death and dying and actively mentor 15 from California to Europe and Australia who am I to disagree?</div>
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4. serve as an Ann Arbor Human Rights Commissioner, insuring that the rights of all people are respected.</div>
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5. work on police oversight, insuring through over 2000 volunteer hours in the past three years that all people, especially blacks and LGBTQ are protected from those who are licensed to take life and often exonerated of outright murder by Internal Affairs, grand juries, and the politicians to whom they report. With two cousins who have been killed by the police and two policeman nephews I bring a special perspective when I sit down with police chiefs, sheriffs, mayors, council members and ordinary people. As an aside, did you know although blacks are only about 13% of the population, 40% of the crimes blacks commit are against blacks? Did you also know that 40% of crimes whites commit are against blacks? Yes, all people need to know Black Lives Matter.</div>
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6. work with the Interfaith Roundtable, insuring that my non WASP neighbors are respected and welcomed into all spaces that are "The Lord's and the fullness thereof."</div>
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7. work with other members in our congregation who support our meetinghouse as a sanctuary, insuring that those targeted by ICE know victims not only have a friend in Jesus but also a friend in Friends.</div>
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8. Co-Chair a Wayne State Medical School study on anti-prostate cancer. I'm a 6 year survivor.</div>
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9. Facilitate an interfaith anti-racism group.</div>
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In some weeks I also work with the homeless and on gun control efforts.</div>
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I do all of these things as a Christian, following Jesus, the itinerant mystic who kept his ears open for the Holy Spirit's leadings. Sometimes I want to say, "If it's possible, remove this bitter cup. Nevertheless, thy will be done."</div>
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As did Jesus, my wife practices Judaism. Diane is an attorney with a 50-60 hour work week. Yet, as I did while a Headmaster, Dean and Executive Director she averages more than 8 hours of weekly community service. We may not pass the eye test: 6' tall and 5' tall; classified black and white; wearer of Buckeye gear and wearer of Wolverine gear--but we are an equally yoked spiritual couple of grandparents who do like the Doobie Brothers sang, "Take it to the streets."</div>
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Neither of us is a saint. Like my face, our souls have many freckles. We are servants who have a call to keep.</div>
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I close with Psalm 100 from my book, "<a href="http://shop.fum.org/product_p/978-0-944350-31-7.htm">Modern Psalms in Search of Peace and Justice</a>."</div>
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PSALM 100<br />
I am forever an initiate<br />
being introduced<br />
into Your special society.<br />
Help me bear witness<br />
as a man of courage,<br />
following the lead<br />
of the Master.<br />
Thank You<br />
for not hazing me<br />
when I lose my way home.</div>
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Nothing stays the same as it was.<br />
I have never been<br />
in this present moment.<br />
You have been and are everywhere.<br />
Lead.<br />
Make me the human<br />
You intended.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #002537; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">From 2002 to 2009, Dwight Wilson was Head of Friends School in Detroit, a PK-8th grade Quaker school founded in 1965 and dedicated to “offering superior education to students of all races, religions and incomes.” Prior to his work at Friends School in Detroit, he served as executive director of Mariana Bracetti Academy in Philadelphia and as Dean of Students, Assistant Upper School Director, and Chair of the Social Studies Department at Moorestown Friends School. Early in his career, Dwight served as General Secretary and Executive Director of the Meetinghouse Fund at Friends General Conference. He is now retired and spends much of his time volunteering weekly for Mott Childrens Hospital, Meals on Wheels, S.O.S., where he tutors homeless children. In addition, he serves on the Boards of Interfaith Council for Peace Justice, SafeHouse (domestic abuse prevention) Center and the Earlham School of Religion. Several times a year he donates blood to the Red Cross and assists at Arbor House (for homeless families).</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #002537; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #002537; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #002537; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Wilson received his B.A. magna cum laude in history and sociology from Bowdoin College and a M.Div. degree in theology and counseling from Bangor Theological Seminary. He has been invited to the White House on three separate occasions, first by Lady Bird Johnson after being selected one of the top teenagers in America, a second time by Jimmy Carter after being named one of the most influential religious leaders in America by Christian Century magazine, and most recently at the request of the Bush administration to participate in a summit on inner-city children and faith-based schools.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #002537; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #002537; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #002537; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Wilson currently attends the Ann Arbor Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and attended Moorestown Meeting when he lived in South Jersey. A devoted Quaker, he has been deeply involved with Quaker organizations throughout his life, serving on the National Board of the American Friends Service Committee, chairing an advisory committee to the President of Haverford College, and serving as Trustee at numerous institutions over the years, including Friends World College and Rancocas Friend Academy, Medford Leas Retirement Center. Wilson has been an invited speaker at Yale University, Sidwell Friends School, the University of Virginia, Stanford University, Friends Central School, Guildford College, Brooklyn Friends School, and at conferences organized by the Friends Council on Education, the National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS), and the Independent School Association of the Central States (ISACS).</span></span></i></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-10716470249750729032018-03-05T13:23:00.002-05:002018-03-26T16:26:09.051-04:00When God is calling<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: normal;">
<b><i>ESR MDiv student Keelin Anderson<a href="http://www.stevecleaver.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;"> </a>delivered the following message during ESR worship on Friday, March 2, 2018:</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">Then Jesus</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"> called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, </span><span class="text Luke-9-2" id="en-NRSV-25296" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;">and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. </span><span class="text Luke-9-3" id="en-NRSV-25297" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;">He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. </span><span class="text Luke-9-4" id="en-NRSV-25298" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;">Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there.</span><span class="text Luke-9-5" id="en-NRSV-25299" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” </span><span class="text Luke-9-6" id="en-NRSV-25300" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;">They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Luke-9-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">Luke 9: 57-62 NRSV</span><span class="text Luke-9-57" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;">As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” </span><span class="text Luke-9-58" id="en-NRSV-25352" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;">And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” </span><span class="text Luke-9-59" id="en-NRSV-25353" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;">To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”</span><span class="text Luke-9-60" id="en-NRSV-25354" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” </span><span class="text Luke-9-61" id="en-NRSV-25355" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;">Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” </span><span class="text Luke-9-62" id="en-NRSV-25356" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;">Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”</span></span><br />
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">In our readings <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT1313_com_zimbra_date" role="link" style="color: #6f1616; cursor: pointer;">today</span>, Jesus doesn’t pitch discipleship very well. He basically tells us that if you follow him you will be barefoot, hungry, homeless, and alienated from your family and your former way of life. So, I ask you, what are you all doing here contemplating seminary?</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">I joke here, but Jesus is saying his call is not an easy one. There will be people in your life who will not understand. There will be habits and assumptions of your own you will have to leave behind. God is calling for an ongoing radical transformation in your way of being in the world. Not everything and everyone in your life is going to come along with you.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">Three years ago I was minding my own business, walking home from a yoga class in my neighborhood in Portland, OR, when an idea popped into my head. “Go find out what it takes to become a hospital chaplain,” it said. I had been a nurse and a massage therapist, so in a way this made sense, but I had never had a religion. I was raised by divorced parents, my mother a scientist and atheist, my father, a psychiatrist who during my teen years, lived in a cult that followed the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Religion at the least was suspect, at the most, dangerous.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">I had come to my own sense of God in my late twenties through meditation, a practice I mostly did by myself. It had never occurred to me to do religion with other people. My sense of religious people came from American media. Throughout the world people were fighting wars in religion’s name. At home, “Christian family values” meant homophobia and misogyny. As far as I could see, religious people wanted either to control me or kill me. Now God wanted me to get an MDiv?</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">And here I am three years later giving a sermon! I have not made a dime since I began school. I have abandoned my husband and two cats alone at home in Portland for this Spring Term. I have discovered I am a Quaker. I am learning to appreciate that there is something to this “gathering together in Jesus’s name.” I feel more able than ever to express my true self and allow God to move through me, and, I have to work constantly on my faith and courage. </span><br />
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">As God’s followers, we are granted great power. In our first reading <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT1314_com_zimbra_date" role="link" style="color: #6f1616; cursor: pointer;">today</span>, Luke tells us that Jesus offers his disciples “authority over demons” and the ability to cure “disease.” Taken in a modern psychological sense, we pastors and chaplains are sent out with the power to help people change and cope. We are at the scene when people are in dis-ease, struggling with their “demons” of personality, existential doubt, physical and mental health, employment, family, and injustice. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">To be open to convey this divine power, though, we disciples must first free up our ability to carry it. Jesus tells us, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic.” We here on earth are understandably filled with concerns of our own and our loved ones’ security. We all need to eat, a place to sleep, warm clothes and a steady income. Jesus requires us to put these concerns down in order lift up God’s gifts of solace and healing. Don’t worry, Luke assures us, God knows we need to eat. He writes, “Strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (12:29-31 NRSV).</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">We must also put down our needs to be well received by and useful to all people. Jesus goes on to instruct the Twelve, “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” The Ancient Israelites would have recognized this passage as a statement about those who do not offer hospitality. The dust of heathen countries was considered heathen so when you returned to Jerusalem, you shook the heathen dust off your feet before walking in the Holy Land. This gesture would have said to those inhospitable folks that they were not behaving like good Jews. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">In contrast to these ancient beliefs, I am going to choose a modern interpretation following the wisdom of the pop star Taylor Swift. When our ministry is rejected or misunderstood, we need to “shake it off.” If we leave an encounter burdened by judgements about the people encountered or shame about our own value to them, we will have no strength left to convey God’s peace and compassion. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">Our second reading <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT1315_com_zimbra_date" role="link" style="color: #6f1616; cursor: pointer;">today</span> is a bit later in Luke’s narrative when Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem and his pending execution. Having walked from Judea to Galilee and back, gathering followers along the way, Jesus seems to be getting a bit tetchy with the crowds of would be devotees. People claim to follow him but don’t seem to understand what that means. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">People promise Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go,” and he says, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” The “Son of Man” being one of the titles for Jesus, I find this a profound teaching. When we follow a calling from God we are changing where we live. Our faith becomes more fundamental than our physical home. We move to make our home in God and God is nowhere or everywhere depending moment to moment on your courage and faith. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">This means that those of us following a call to God are going against the flow of our world. We in America are encouraged to concentrate all our energies on our individual burrows and nests. This feels natural. We must strive for more health, more security, more comfort, more time. When we make our home in God we are releasing these false sanctuaries. We are surrendering all that personal striving to God. And often it is not only our own security we are placing in this trust, but that of all those we love and support. Will God make sure I can send my kids to college on an assistant pastor’s salary? Will God provide health insurance for my partner while I write that book about the real meaning of the dietary laws in Leviticus?</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">When God says “Follow me,” we answer, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first…”. We have a long and reasonable list of things we feel we need to do before taking up our calling. We have commitments, obligations, pleasures to enjoy, messes to clean up. How could Jesus ask his disciples to ignore the need to bury a father or to say goodbye? Jesus admonishes, “Let the dead bury the dead.” This sounds rather severe. The commentaries suggest that Jesus means “Let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead” as when you take up salvation in Jesus Christ, you are granted new spiritual life. When we look to the end of the passage, though, there is an additional layer of meaning. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">Jesus tells the hesitant disciples, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” The Jews in Jesus’s audience would have recognized a reference here to First Kings 19:19-21. The passage occurs at a time when the Israelites are in transition between the old pagan gods and the new, one God of Israel, often worshipping both. There has been a terrible drought. The prophet Elijah is called to challenge the pagan god Baal to a duel with the God of Israel to see who can end the drought. The God of Israel wins but in the process Elijah ends up killing the prophets of Baal. This angers Jezebel, the Queen of Israel, and she calls for Elijah’s death. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">Elijah, now on the run and afraid for his life, complaining and feeling abandoned, is soon called by God to select a new prophet named Elisha. Elijah finds Elisha plowing with a team of oxen. Elijah gives Elisha his mantle and guess what Elisha says? “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Sound familiar? Elijah, reminiscent of Jesus, snaps back the cryptic, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?” Elisha does go back to say goodbye to his family but he also sacrifices his oxen, marking a radical break from his former life and work. </span><br />
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">What these teachings from Jesus mean together is that in a sense we must die to some aspects of our old identities to take up our callings. We may have old gods and idols that we need to let go of like the Israelites. We may have to break the norms or even the laws of society to follow the will of God like Elijah. We may have to leave our family and our jobs like Elisha. Ultimately, Jesus is saying that if one looks back while plowing, the furrow will be crooked. We will not be able to plant our seeds for the future if we keep gazing at the past. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;">So, my fellow and future seminarians, as you prepare yourselves to move more fully into God’s house, remember that though at times you may have cold feet, a stomach full of butterflies and nothing else, and moments of awkward truth telling and painful insecurity, you are bringing the good news. You are proclaiming through your being in the world with your eyes on God, that the seeds of hope and healing can be nurtured within a straight, deep, furrow of faith, waiting patiently to sprout and reach for the <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT1316_com_zimbra_date" role="link" style="color: #6f1616; cursor: pointer;">sun</span>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fbu1U-RTRIw/Wp2HxpCSOmI/AAAAAAAABWk/9Dl0je_sfZcQAShAJLDlOFFRZKFK4fl4wCLcBGAs/s1600/keelin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fbu1U-RTRIw/Wp2HxpCSOmI/AAAAAAAABWk/9Dl0je_sfZcQAShAJLDlOFFRZKFK4fl4wCLcBGAs/s320/keelin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Keelin Anderson joined ESR as an MDiv Access student in the spring of 2016. She is spending the spring 2018 semester on campus as a residential student. Keelin lives in Portland, OR, where she attends Multnomah Monthly
Meeting (North Pacific Yearly Meeting). She holds a BA from Reed College and a BS from
Oregon Health Sciences University. </i></span></span></div>
Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-87894971234721723722017-10-26T09:08:00.001-04:002018-06-22T08:56:59.574-04:00Jephthah’s daughter then and now<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<i><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: inherit;">The other day, after grading a set of Intro to Old Testament Studies papers, I posted on Facebook, “It’s a good day when you learn new things about how to read well known texts from your students.” This post by <a href="http://esr.earlham.edu/academic-programs/access">ESR M.Div. Access</a> student Nikki Holland is one of the papers I learned from. The assignment was to write about what you would say about one of the women from Joshua and Judges for an adult Bible Study group. Nikki chose to write on Jephthah’s daughter (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+11%3A29-40&version=NRSV">Judges 11:29-40</a>). I invite you to read what Nikki’s response. I hope you find it as illuminating as I did.</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: inherit;"><i> - </i>Nancy R. Bowen (Professor of Old Testament)</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">From the surface, the story in </span>Judges 11:29-40<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"> seems foreign and weird to us. A man makes a foolish vow and keeps it,
though it results in the death of his daughter; and what is maybe more
astonishing, she participates. But with a close examination of this story, we
can see several themes that echo through our lives today.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">1)</span></span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Victim blaming</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Upon realizing that he has vowed to
sacrifice his own daughter (hereafter called “Daughter”), Jephthah lays the
blame immediately on her head. “You have brought me very low,” he says. “You
have become the cause of great trouble to me” (Judges 11:35). He explains that
he has made a vow, but the emphasis is on her culpability. Never mind that he
made a foolish vow and she was simply fulfilling her role as a faithful
daughter in celebrating his victory.<a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/HollandAssignment5.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Jephthah
deflects blame from himself onto Daughter. I hear echoes of his words in my own
generation, “Look what you made me do…” and “Well, you shouldn’t have been in
that place anyways."</span><br />
<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;">2) Internalized misogyny</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Daughter’s response when she hears that her
father has made a vow to kill her is, “Do to me according to what has gone out
of your mouth.” She cares more about her father’s honor than her own life.
Contrast this to Jonathan’s response to a similar vow made by Saul in 1 Sam
14:43. In the NRSV, Jonathan’s response is a statement, but in the CEB and most
Spanish translations, it’s a question: “‘I only took a very small taste of honey
on the end of my staff,’ he said. ‘And now I’m supposed to die?’” Jonathan has
the self-assurance to protest Saul’s foolish vow (see 1 Sam 14:29-30), whereas
Daughter understands herself to be her father’s, to do with what he will. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> We read this and we feel superior (we would
fight – we would run away) – but how many of us have been violated and rather
than protesting, have been more concerned about the feelings of the violator?
How many of us have soothed his guilt or laughed it off so as not to appear
rude? How many of us have chosen to be polite rather than fierce when our
boundaries are crossed? How many of us have excused men’s exploitation of women
by saying something like, “Oh men.” How many of us have let doctors do things
to our bodies that we didn’t actually want done? And then thanked them for it? Like
Daughter, we are still vulnerable to the belief that our bodies are here for
other people to do with what they will.</span><br />
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<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gustave_Dore_Jephtha.jpg"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="330" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EvnHRxqcyxc/WfCI_9wt9DI/AAAAAAAABWM/VC9YaTXqBdEUfFwmou5jKSRc8vdjSL8nwCLcBGAs/s400/Gustave_Dore_Jephtha.jpg" width="323" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">3) Solidarity of women</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> The one request Daughter makes for herself
is that she and her friends be allowed to mourn her virginity for 2 months (Judges
14:37). After her death, “the daughters of Israel would go out to lament”
Daughter (Judges 14:40). These women are linked in sorrow by their belief that
nothing can be done for the women. They lament her fate. It is what it is, it’s
horrible, but there’s nothing at all we can do about it.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/HollandAssignment5.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></a></span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Each generation of feminists builds on the
previous generations. I wonder if this lament is the very first women’s rights
protest in western history. As we know, the first step to a solution is
recognizing the problem. Although these women could not imagine a different
world, they are recognizing and bringing attention to a problem – and that is
Something. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> This story is a cautionary tale, from which
we can learn to hold people in power accountable for their choices; to maintain
a strong sense of self – and the awareness that our bodies are our own and no
one may violate us with impunity; and to gather with other women in solidarity
with the full knowledge in our hearts of a different world and the hope that we
can change the injustice we see.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FM16zXEC3eA/WfHdjZkHoII/AAAAAAAAEZQ/5bL6i-vkkNwCMokzBJk16E9HWQUGDNz6QCLcBGAs/s1600/4f27f9fd68ffa0fd9551a3d27460f4c7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FM16zXEC3eA/WfHdjZkHoII/AAAAAAAAEZQ/5bL6i-vkkNwCMokzBJk16E9HWQUGDNz6QCLcBGAs/s1600/4f27f9fd68ffa0fd9551a3d27460f4c7.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><i>Nikki Holland lives in Merida, Mexico with her clan, including her husband Brian, their three boys, and their kitten Ellie. She enjoys meeting for worship in her sister’s house (and occasionally on the beach), and loves all that she’s learning as a seminarian at Earlham School of Religion. Click on the link to check out more of Nikki's writing on her blog: </i></span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.thebrokencurse.com/">www.thebrokencurse.com</a>.</i></div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/HollandAssignment5.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>BIBLIOGRAPHY<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span>\l 1033 <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]-->Karla G. Bohmbach, "Daughter of Jephthah."
In <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Women-Scripture-Dictionary-Apocryphal-Deuterocanonical/dp/0802849628">Women in Scripture: A Dictionary of Named and Unnamed Women in the HebrewBible, the Apochryphal/Deuterocanonical Books, and the New Testament</a></i>, ed. Carol
Meyers, Toni Craven and Ross S Kraemer (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company,
2000), 8359.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/HollandAssignment5.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Again contrast the women’s response with
the men’s response in Jonathan’s situation – in 1 Sam 14:45 – the men join in
solidarity with Jonathan in opposition to Saul, confidently imagining a world
in which Jonathan is not at the mercy of his father. And they succeed.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-53310560727557656212017-07-20T15:22:00.003-04:002018-06-22T08:58:04.786-04:00Preparing for war: Are we ready?<div class="Standard" style="text-align: left;">
<i>ESR Professor of Peace and Justice Studies Lonnie Valentine shares a reflection on the importance - and timeliness - of conscientious objection to war:</i></div>
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With the love of war growing strong, what will follow after
the attack on Syria, the “Mother of All Bombs” dropped on Afghanistan, and now
the threats directed at North Korea? As
with all previous war-making, this US administration sees how the people praise
war. Presidents going to war show
strength. Is it so that every US President must have his own war? Is our government now preparing to do what
Mark Anthony exclaims in Shakespeare's play <i><a href="http://shakespeare.mit.edu/julius_caesar/full.html">Julius Caesar</a></i>: <b>“Cry
‘Havoc’ and let slip the dogs of war” </b>(Act 3, Scene 1)? Unlike us, Mark Anthony was regretting that
this would be the cry heard as the Roman Empire descended into civil war. He says:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">“Blood and destruction shall be so in use </span><br />
</b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">And
dreadful objects so familiar </span><br />
</b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">That
mothers shall but smile when they behold </span><br />
</b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">Their
infants quarter'd (i.e. cut to pieces) with the hands of war.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e8a7c8YOHQs/WXD_-M2YGDI/AAAAAAAABVY/d43CaS89lCs2x0gm9suAD2Zj06DFkiliQCLcBGAs/s1600/caesar.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="468" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e8a7c8YOHQs/WXD_-M2YGDI/AAAAAAAABVY/d43CaS89lCs2x0gm9suAD2Zj06DFkiliQCLcBGAs/s320/caesar.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in<i> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleopatra_(1963_film)">Cleopatra</a> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">And so it came to pass that Mark Anthony entered the Roman civil
war. However, he faced the one who would become Caesar Augustus. Anthony lost
the war and fled to Egypt with his queen, Cleopatra. Reaching the shore, they
committed suicide together.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EiiUV3eWM9Q/WXEBR07G9vI/AAAAAAAABVc/Bg_GxGU-y_E_hq2U9GE6hiSFTM0Lx19-wCLcBGAs/s1600/child%2Bsoldier.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="410" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EiiUV3eWM9Q/WXEBR07G9vI/AAAAAAAABVc/Bg_GxGU-y_E_hq2U9GE6hiSFTM0Lx19-wCLcBGAs/s320/child%2Bsoldier.png" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real child soldier, US Civil War</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">And so what of those of us who seek a
better way? Many young people have been
drenched in war propaganda and think it could be grand. My spouse, Genevieve, is the piano
accompanist to a middle school choir. One girl was wearing a sash and Genevieve
asked what it meant. The girl replied,
“I am a diplomat. I and the other diplomats will gather to make war.” With
Genevieve's horror discussion ensued, but the young ones replied: “Peace is
boring; war is fun.”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">Of the many things that we can do to prepare for war, here is one option for consideration: </span><b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">Quakers and others seeking peace and pursing it need to teach
our own young people about the option of conscientious objection to war.</span></b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">Anyone</span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;"> is eligible to become a conscientious objector under
current law. No specific religious affiliation is required and those with
deeply held philosophical or moral objections as well as religious objectors
can qualify. Therefore, <b><i>all</i></b> those who would be subject to a
military draft can be informed about what conscientious objection is and how to
establish their claim, if a draft were reinstated.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">Yes, the military draft did end, but all the regulations were
put in “deep stand-by” and not repealed.
This means that Congress could vote tomorrow to activate the draft. Given the war that some in Congress are
seeking to wage against Americans seeking health care, do you think they would
hesitate to support war against those “foreigners” who may—or may not—be a
threat to our way of life? Further, all the mechanisms for Selective Service,
such as local draft boards, are in place to begin to draft.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">And yes, currently, only young men are required to register for
the draft, but the question of women being required to register for the draft
has come up, so young women need to be informed. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">There are resources on line, such as the Center on Conscience
and War at </span><a href="http://www.centeronconscience.org/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">www.centeronconscience.org</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">Also, I was a conscientious objector in the Vietnam war and
trained as a draft counselor and happy to talk with anyone about this. I can be
contacted via e-mail: </span><a href="mailto:valenlo@earlham.edu"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">valenlo@earlham.edu</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">Here are four initial steps that a young person could take now:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">1. A young man turning 18 is required by law to register for the
draft. If you know of a young person not yet registered for the draft, they can
write on the registration form that they are a conscientious objector to all
war. They then copy that form, seal it
in an envelope, and mail it to themselves and put it unopened with the post
date in their brand new conscientious objector file. Also, those with religious
affiliation could get their church or Meeting to minute that the young person
has stated they are a CO.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">Such actions establishes a clear date that a person is claiming
to be a conscientious objector, which can be very important in a draft board’s
consideration of a CO claim.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">Some young people have chosen not to register, but there are
consequences in terms of federal loans for college, and some states have
automatic registration if you get a driver’s license or refuse to issue a
license without proof of registration.
No one since the initial days of the draft registration being
reintroduced by Jimmy Carter has been arrested, but understand the
consequences. See “Should I Register?” at the Center on Conscience and War web
site: </span><a href="http://www.centeronconscience.org/pubs/brochures/draft-information.html"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">www.centeronconscience.org/pubs/brochures/draft-information.html</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">2. As a young person starts high school often their contact
information will be turned over to military recruiters unless they submit an
“opt out” form early saying they do not want to receive solicitations from
military recruiters. Some schools have not been familiar with the opt out form,
so it may take some work. Copying this form and putting that in your
Constitution Objector file is more evidence for dating a claim before being
subject to the draft.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">3. Next get the “Who Is a
CO?” and “Registration and Basic Draft Information” publications of the Center on Conscience and
War:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.centeronconscience.org/pubs/brochures/draft-information.html"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">www.centeronconscience.org/pubs/brochures/draft-information.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">The Quaker House in Fayatteville North Carolina has a video
describing what needs to be done to establish a CO claim: </span><a href="http://quakerspeak.com/how-to-become-conscientious-objector/"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">http://quakerspeak.com/how-to-become-conscientious-objector/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">4. In the “Registration and Basic Draft Information” publication
there is a step-by-step outline that helps a young person start to think about
their beliefs about war. This resource, “What Do I Believe About War?” will take you
through the current form that would need to be completed and submitted to the
local draft board, if a draft were re-instituted. There the applicant must describe their
beliefs and whether or not those beliefs would permit them to serve in the
military, but as a noncombatant; they must describe how they acquired these
beliefs; they must describe how your their beliefs affect the way they live and
work they do.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.5pt;">In conclusion, it is very important of establishing a verifiable
date that a young person is saying they are a CO and beginning the process of
creating their own conscientious objector file. However, even if a draft does
not come, the exercise of talking to our young men and women about
conscientious objection is vital. In Quaker history we can see that young
people were not often prepared for the fascination of war and the strong
nationalistic urges for going to war.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16.67px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>As Trueblood Chair of Christian Thought, Lonnie is engaged in projects related to Quaker war tax resistance and process theology. He earned a B.A. from Raymond College, University of the Pacific in 1970; a B.A. from University of California at Irvine in 1975; an M.A. from Earlham School of Religion in 1983; and, a Ph.D. from Emory University in 1989. Lonnie joined the ESR faculty in 1989.</i></span></span></div>
Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-77447572672540349962017-06-19T16:11:00.000-04:002017-06-20T12:51:17.456-04:00New student introduction: Mebin Mathew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>We are excited to begin introducing to you some of our incoming students for the fall 2017-18 entering class. Our first introduction is from Mebin Mathew, who joins us as an MDiv</i> <i>Cooper Scholar from Bangalore, India. She shares some thoughts on coming to ESR below:</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">My full name is Mebin K. Mathew. I am basically from South India. Kerala is my home state but I was raised in Bangalore, India which is also called the Garden city of India. I speak four languages including my mother tongue. During my childhood days, I have also been in many North Indian States like Punjab, Bhutan, Delhi because my dad was working with the Indian Army. My mom was working as a nurse in military hospital. They both took voluntary retirement from their jobs and dedicated their lives for serving the Lord. My dad is a pastor and my dad and mom are working among the Indian unreached people group.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">I did my basic schooling in one of the English medium schools in Bangalore and finished my Bachelor of Arts (B.A) specializing in Journalism, Psychology and English Literature. I got married to Binu B Peniel. My husband Binu just finished his Doctorate from United Theological Seminary specializing in Pastoral Care and Counselling and his research was in Human Trafficking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">We are blessed with a daughter (Keren) who is 7 years old now. She brings so much of joy to our lives. Especially I just want to thank God for bringing us here in this wonderful country and to this great school. We truly believe Earlham School of Religion is a great opened door for us. I am so grateful to God for giving me this opportunity to study here and to answer God’s call upon my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">I am looking forward to get to know each and everyone one of you in person. Really excited about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Thank you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Mebin Mathew</span></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-83317202992851048832017-05-11T09:49:00.001-04:002017-05-11T15:56:16.581-04:00Reflections on a Sojourn in Switzerland: Time, Friendship, and Faith<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><b><i>In this reflection </i><i>ESR MDiv student Anne M. Hutchinson shares about her recent visit to Switzerland: </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It’s
hard to conceive of Switzerland without thinking of chalets, cheese, chocolate,
cleanliness, and clocks. There are indeed chalets with their wide roofs and
elaborate exterior wood carvings. However, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Chaux-de-Fonds">La Chaux-de-Fonds</a>, the
town in which I stayed, is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture and design. Cheese
was plentiful, and is essential for traditional dishes including raclette and
fondue. Switzerland is a chocolate lover’s dream: grocery stores offered every
kind and flavor of it. And then, cleanliness. An acquaintance once told me that
her mother instructed her to clean the house as if Jesus were to visit. Whether
the Swiss believed the same or not, homes were impeccably clean and tidy and
subject to regular dusting and arranging. Messiness was simply unimaginable. If
cleanliness is next to godliness, the Swiss meet the criteria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And
as for clocks: When I spent two weeks with a friend in that historic
watchmaking town, it was well-nigh impossible to not be conscious of time.
Clocks were everywhere, on public buildings, in the window displays of watch
shops. The museum of horlogerie showcases a dazzling display of all kinds of
timepieces: miniature painted pocket watches, an outdoor carillon clock, talking
clocks, a Turk on a flying carpet clock, and numerous other timekeeping
devices. Several of the large timepieces featured the figure of the Grim
Reaper, a <i>memento mori</i> of the
ephemeral nature of life. At one time, the three churches in the town center
all rang their steeple bells on the hour and the quarter hours, but they did
not ring in synchronicity. One church’s bells would stop only for the second to
begin ringing, and the second barely ceased before the third began. It was a
real challenge for anyone in the neighborhood around them to sleep amid that
joyous cacophony.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">My
friend and I were always rushing to catch a train or a bus, which depart exactly
on schedule. Our pattern alternated between
rushing to catch a bus and relaxing once we got to our destination. Taking
buses marked my days there: buying the ticket at an automated machine,
verifying the departure time, waiting expectantly, greeting and being greeted
by the driver, getting off at the station to continue by foot or transfer to a
different bus. One must be mindful that stores close at 5:30 on weekdays and
are closed on Sunday and often during the lunch hour, making for a sense of
sabbatical, for employees as well as customers, as well as creating the need
for advance purchases of food and supplies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Legend has it that, due to the long cold winters, the
people of La Chaux-de-Fonds, primarily farmers, needed an occupation and
additional income during the winters. Watchmaking was a natural fit. Many a
family had a small atelier within the home for watchmaking, with space for the
cabinet and tools. Farming and watchmaking are both unglamorous activities,
however much one might want to glorify rural life and skilled manual labor.
There was no running water in the town until the late 19<sup>th</sup> century, the
occasion of which is commemorated by La Grande Fontaine in the city center, a
fountain in which a group of sculpted turtles spew water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I met with a group of Swiss Quakers my first Sunday there,
at the home of a hospitable Quaker family. We chatted over tea, held a Meeting
for Worship, and had a lovely meal, seated cozily together at the long dining
room table. The meeting for worship was also a memorial meeting for a French
Quaker who had recently passed away. Because there was no Quaker meeting close
to her home in France, she regularly attended meetings in the Suisse-Romande. She
was remembered with joy and affirmations of her service and lovingkindness. And,
in vocal ministry, Sigrid, a serene and articulate Friend, presented us with a
query: what is the role of a single snowflake in the development of an
avalanche?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I visited the town’s synagogue, an
architectural gem inaugurated in 1896. I was moved by the First Testament
verses painted on the domed ceiling, translated to French, such as “Tu</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> aimeras l’Eternel</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> ton Dieu de tout ton coeur
de toute ton âme de tout ton pouvoir” (Deut 6:5). I was awed by the stained-glass
windows, embellished with geometric designs; I marveled at the wooden benches
with tiny drawers in front of them for storage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
visited churches also. On the fifth Sunday of Lent, I went to an ecumenical
service dedicated to the environment, which was hosted by Temple Saint-Jean.
Priests and ministers from three churches prayed and read scripture. A rustic
loaf of bread was passed among the congregants for Communion. The sermon was
delivered by a Malagasy who spoke about environmental degradation in his
homeland. Scientists now say that there are no forms of life not affected by
climate change. What can our humble prayers and actions do in the face of
environmental disaster?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> On Palm Sunday, called <i>Dimanche des Rameux</i>, (officially <i><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Dimanche des Rameaux et de
la Passion du Seigneur)</span> </i>we went to Mass at Sacre-Coeur. It is a
breathtakingly beautiful church, ornately decorated with stained glass windows
and murals, but with some modern touches. The service began outside at one of
the side doors with the distribution of branches in baskets—not palm branches
in this case, but those of plants native to the area, apparently boxwood. The
priest blessed the branches, sprinkled the congregants who carried them with
water, and invited the congregation to enter through the main entrance,
suggesting that we proceed in the spirit of the people greeting Jesus into
Jerusalem. During Mass, I heard the familiar scripture verses and prayers,
albeit in French. We rose, sat, and genuflected on the hard wooden <i>pries-dieu</i>. The church body reflected
the cultural diversity of the town: Swiss, Italians, Portuguese, Slavs, Africans.
Most wore their Sunday best; a few wore jeans. Among the Africans, the men wore
dashikis, the women colorful gomesis. The priest read the traditional Palm
Sunday Mass; a soloist with a hauntingly beautiful voice sang; we recited the
Our Father and the Apostles’ Creed; we gave each other the peace; the
congregants filed up to take Communion. There were poor acoustics in the high-vaulted
church, so it wasn’t possible to hear well, but my Catholic upbringing served
me well in following the words and the movements. As a benediction, the priest
invited us to go out into the world taking our faith and practicing it in our
lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G6brg4cJynM/WRRYPbIB72I/AAAAAAAACeo/kPa3xLr_SNI2P2qlbY7rA8HemKu7w21AQCEw/s1600/20170404_153735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G6brg4cJynM/WRRYPbIB72I/AAAAAAAACeo/kPa3xLr_SNI2P2qlbY7rA8HemKu7w21AQCEw/s320/20170404_153735.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
French Mass was only one of several that day: other Masses in Italian, Spanish,
and Portuguese, as well as a French/Italian Mass, would follow. As I read the
Bible in various languages, it occurs to me that the words of Scripture, as
translated into different languages, open up new understandings. For example,
in French, <i>disparition</i> is said rather
than death; <i>siècles et siècles</i> rather
than forever and ever. I am reminded that the living Christ speaks in all
languages and cultures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> After Mass, we walked out of the cool church into the
bright noonday sun. As we walked, we passed others carrying their branches,
sensing unspoken solidarity. My friend
and I stopped to have pastries and coffee at a café, and we set our branches on
the side of the table. Later in the day, I was stung by the realization that we
had left our branches there. We were too far away to try to go back to retrieve
them, and our brief moments of visible witness were gone, as well as the
opportunity to decorate the home with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I struggle with the concepts of crucifixion and
resurrection. I believe in the historical Jesus, but I don’t accept the notion
of substitutionary atonement. The Abelardian understanding of the meaning of
the crucifixion comes closest to my understanding: the cross as example. I can
also envision Holy Week in metaphorical and symbolic terms. Regardless of the
theological underpinnings of my Christology, I have realized that living as a
Christian is the most conducive way to a virtuous life that I can aspire to, and
that my life is no longer my own but is meant for service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
this day and age, people shy away from blood in its elemental and sacral
significations. People talk about blood pressure and heart disease easily, but
not about spiritual malaises and cures. Moses blessing the Hebrews with blood
to confirm the covenant (Ex 24:8) and ordering the Hebrews to mark their doorposts
with lambs’ blood (Ex 12:23) seem very far removed. Yet, there has to be a
crucifixion for there to be an Easter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> We learned later that day of the two Coptic churches in
Egypt that were attacked, and saw harrowing graphic images of the aftermath on
television. That was real blood that was shed in Tanta and Alexandria, not
metaphorical blood. My friend said to me that, while at Mass, it had occurred
to him that intruders could enter the church and launch an attack upon the
worshippers. For many Christians, this is an all too real fear. He warned me to
be careful when I attend churches. Correspondingly, it was real blood that was
shed in Libya in February of 2015. The defilement and destruction of ancient
churches and monasteries and killing of priests in Syria is an attempt to rip
away the heritage of Christianity and to spread fear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> As Easter approached, chocolate became ever more present
than usual. A grocery store featured the slogan “Easter will be so cute.” Huge
displays of chocolate in all shapes and sizes, in forms of tiny chocolate eggs,
chocolate chicks emerging from candy eggs, to enormous Easter bunnies of
various designs, including soccer Easter bunnies. Chocolatiers displayed
fantasies of spring-themed baskets of fine confections. Clearly, for many, as
elsewhere, Easter is a loosely observed Christian holiday-cum-spring fecundity
festival, with the rabbit, the chick, and the egg as its avatars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3pw9IDYkr0/WRRYD5BarmI/AAAAAAAACeo/4hLJue0ngYcloSRqRPrAMBfvatTWp_dVgCEw/s1600/20170401_111349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3pw9IDYkr0/WRRYD5BarmI/AAAAAAAACeo/4hLJue0ngYcloSRqRPrAMBfvatTWp_dVgCEw/s320/20170401_111349.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> The chocolate industry, whose value is estimated to be in
the range of 60 billion dollars, is dominated by multinationals. The growing
and harvesting of cacao are extremely exploitative of the workers, including
child laborers, and of the land, particularly in western Africa. The growing
and harvesting of cacao are rife with human rights violations including human trafficking
and slavery. Many of the child cacao laborers have never tasted chocolate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> The question is not merely whether our Easter table
groans with excess or moans at its sparseness. It concerns also whether we can
worship freely or in secret, whether we suffer for our beliefs, or even die for
them. If Jesus’ blood was shed, was it not for all?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> During my final days in La Chaux-de-Fonds, I had the
privilege of meeting a little boy named David, who had celebrated his ninth
birthday the previous week. He hastened to tell me that he was “going on ten.”
I remember how, as a child, I was always eager to reach the next age mark, not
realizing that time was running away from me even as I ran towards it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> David wants to be a fireman, and loves to draw with
colored pencils. The subjects of his drawings are slightly different from those
of boys in the past—cartoon characters and superheroes have changed in a
generation. But a boy is still a boy, with a boy’s exuberance and openness. He
happily allows me to teach him how to play Scrabble, and he unabashedly scrapes
the bottom of the fondue pot for the crunchy <i>religieuse</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Prayers for you, David, with your greenish-brown eyes,
your gap-toothed smile. I pray that some of your dreams come true, that your
life will include many challenging Scrabble games, much fondue, many
Christmases and Easters. Keep scraping to the depths, David of today and David of
the future. Keep digging for acorns waiting to be discovered. May you always be
at liberty to worship in a church, a synagogue, or a temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I have realized that I need to take the graces that I am
given, and not be hungry for more. When love is given, I can take joy in it;
when it is not forthcoming, I should accept the lack. Sometimes the present
moment is intolerable, as much as the idea of living in the moment is bandied
about. I cannot meet all the lacks and needs which confront me, nor can all of
mine be met. Is it possible, ever, to do no harm? Is it possible to live a life
without inequitable relationships? I want to clasp each passing moment, and then
let it depart. When must I hasten, and when must I ignore the clock? I think
often of my friend John’s words: God’s time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I am grateful for the Palm Sunday branches and the fuchsia-colored
carnations in a vase in the kitchen. I am grateful for the pigeons, the
sparrows, the crows, the <i>oiseillerie</i>.
I thank God for mountains and shimmering lakes, for giddy laughter, and even
for tears: tears that tell of love, loss, and memory. I remind myself to call
forth memories, not only of my own life, but also of those who made our
memories possible, who forged our civilization and kept it alive. </span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I am thankful, above all, for love and friendship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> According to Swiss Quaker
Henri Miéville : “<i>Toute méditation qui augmente en nous l’amour est par
là-même, un acte religieux, une prière.</i>” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(Every meditation which
increases love within us is, in itself, a religious act, a prayer.) The train whistle is blowing, and </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">trains are ever arriving,
ever pulling away. Remorse for the wrongs done, regret for the needful things
left undone, and the good that rests between, are all wrapped in the fold of
the infinite.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The quotation by Henri
Miéville appears in <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Quaker-Life-Belief-Thought/dp/1850723907">Swiss
Quaker Life, Belief and Thought</a></i>. Edited by Erica Royston and David
Hay-Edie, Switzerland Yearly Meeting: 2009. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><i><b>Anne M. Hutchinson is pursuing her Master of Divinity at Earlham School of Religion. She is a member of <a href="http://ovym.quaker.org/Oxford.htm">Oxford Monthly Meeting of Friends</a>. You can follow Anne on Twitter </b></i></span><i style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #8899a6; font-size: 14px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/hutchinson_anne" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #8899a6; text-decoration-line: none;">@<span class="u-linkComplex-target">hutchinson_anne</span></a>.</b></span></i><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #8899a6; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-indent: 0px;"> </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b>Anne provided all of the photos used in this post.</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Tags: Switzerland, Chocolate, Watches, Easter, Watchmaking, Horology, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Quaker, Faith</span></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-65309905788395728032017-04-28T08:40:00.000-04:002017-05-11T15:57:03.424-04:00Rethinking Dinah<div style="margin-top: .1pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In this post, ESR Professor of Old </span>Testament<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Nancy R. Bowen shares a reflection on the interpretation of the Biblical figure of Dinah through history and its continuing relevance today:</span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shechem_seizes_Dinah.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8HGREAxD0zo/WQM1rTB_BnI/AAAAAAAABUY/LulKWaQ-WAUvKt6y3z64GZqYVrQMAR7MQCLcB/s400/Shechem_seizes_Dinah.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been
rethinking the story of Dinah in Genesis 34. Feminist interpretation is focused
on the question, “Was Dinah raped or not?” At the moment the debate is at an
impasse. I am not attempting to resolve the debate, but rather to consider
whether there are other questions feminists should ask with regard to Dinah’s
story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I started
thinking about this in the aftermath of the tragic killing of nine African
Americans in Charleston, SC (June 17, 2015). A relative of one of the survivors
recounted that the shooter had told her that the reason he was killing them was
because “you rape our women…” The day </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">before</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
(June 16, 2015), in his speech announcing his </span>candidacy<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> for President of the
US, Donald Trump announced he would build a wall along the US/Mexican border to
keep out “Mexican rapists.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ida_B._Wells#/media/File:Mary_Garrity_-_Ida_B._Wells-Barnett_-_Google_Art_Project_crop.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wC7TyNL3MmE/WQM21pQYHfI/AAAAAAAABUg/UQdRa2-QRfQihdR65cePU9Y0RfI7GPL-wCLcB/s320/800px-Mary_Garrity_-_Ida_B._Wells-Barnett_-_Google_Art_Project_crop.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It turns out
that the trope of “you rape our women” has a long, sordid past in U.S. history.
The accusation of rape was used as the justification for lynching in the
Southern states during the post-reconstruction era (1880-1920). Lynching was
justified as as the “desperate effort of Southerners to protect their women
from black monsters.” <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_B._Wells">Ida B. Wells</a>, an African American reporter, demonstrably
proved this accusation was false and racist. Using police reports in the
<i>Chicago Tribune</i>, Wells documented that of 504 men who were lynched between
1896-1900, only 96 were charged with rape (19%). Although black men who were
lynched were described as “moral monsters,” they were also lynched for reasons
as varied as “unknown offense,” “mistaken identity,” and “resisting arrest.” As
Wells wrote, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This
record, easily within the reach of every one who wants it, makes inexcusable
the statement and cruelly unwarranted the assumption that negroes are lynched
only because of their assaults upon womanhood.” Upon analyzing the records she
concludes that the real causes for most lynchings is “contempt for law and race
prejudice.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In other words, the accusation that
black men raped white women was used to cover up that they were lynched for
economic, political, and ideological reasons, namely, to ensure the uncontested
authority of the while male ruling class.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="sdfootnote1anc"></a><a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Rethinking%20Dinah%20(1).docx#sdfootnote1sym"><sup>1</sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Rethinking%20Dinah%20(1).docx#sdfootnote1sym"><sup></sup></a></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Rethinking%20Dinah%20(1).docx#sdfootnote1sym"><br /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ita Sheres, an
Israeli author, explores the intersections of rape and politics in her book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dinahs-Rebellion-Biblical-Parable-Time/dp/0824510143">Dinah’s Rebellion: A Biblical Parable for Our Time</a></i>. For her, the story of Dinah functions as a parable of the
Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Perhaps a better comparison might be that present
day realities mirror the dynamics of Dinah’s story. Palestinians are portrayed
as “brutal, wild, alien invaders.” The most horrifying violent acts that occur
in Occupied Territories involve vengeances on behalf of women and/or girls who <i>seem</i> to be in danger. Settlers are known
to <i>fabricate</i> situations that demand
immediate and violent action in response. The message is that settlers attack <i>only</i> because of the assaults on women.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="sdfootnote2anc"></a><a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Rethinking%20Dinah%20(1).docx#sdfootnote2sym"><sup>2</sup></a>
To paraphrase Wells, “Nobody believes this threadbare lie.” As with lynching we
see that the accusation of harm to an Israeli woman, whether there is any
actual harm or not, combined with racist views of Palestinians, leads to a
violent response. As with lynching, the stated motive of “honor” and need to
protect their women from these "monsters" covers up the reality that the real
reason for lethal violence against Palestinians is the ideology of extreme
nationalism and struggle for territory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here in the
U.S. we are again hearing that lethal violence against “others” is justified in
order to protect our women. First we should note the racist overtones. The
implication is that the women who need protecting are white and the “rapists”
are men of color. Second, the accusation of rape is presented as a sufficient
motivation, regardless of any actual threat to women. Third, we should ask,
what is the real motivation for threats against non-white men?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Figures_Simeon_Levi_Slay_Sichemites.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GVsVrVgDi2U/WQM3GY2isUI/AAAAAAAABUk/Fz26K3NqIk4Xw5ewZLCn7FXDkm7Q6CDkgCLcB/s400/393px-Figures_Simeon_Levi_Slay_Sichemites.jpg" width="260" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Even feminist
commentators recognize that Dinah’s story in Gen 34 is not really about Dinah.
The result of the alleged rape (“should our sister be treated like a whore?”)
leads to the killing of all the males of Shechem, the plunder of everything in
the city, including women and children, and though a gap in the text, the
probable rape of the Shechemite women. Whether or not Dinah was raped might actually
be a moot point. The point is the <i>accusation
</i>of rape, which, as history demonstrates, is a demonstrably false and racist
premise. Perhaps what feminists should also be asking is why we allow women’s
bodies to be used as the pretext for violence without our permission? White
women participated in and gave moral support to lynchings. There are white
women today screaming, “Build that wall!” Especially in this time in the US
white feminists need to critically examine ways in which we might continue to perpetuate
the rhetoric of “they rape our women.” If I (speaking as a white feminist) am not protesting loudly against this rhetoric, then I’m a racist feminist.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If the
dynamics of Dinah’s story continue to echo through history even to the present
day, the question becomes, can we prevent history from repeating itself? Sheres
writes, “It is possible to alleviate the lot of the powerless and excluded by
first recognizing each other’s humanity and by deemphasizing exclusion and
separation.” If the story of Dinah is to be a parable for our day, then let
this be its lesson. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Rethinking%20Dinah%20(1).docx#sdfootnote1anc"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Quotes from Ida B. Wells-Bammett, “Lynching and the Excuse For It,” (from <i>The Independent</i>, May 16, 1901).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Rethinking%20Dinah%20(1).docx#sdfootnote2anc">2</a> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ita Sheres, <i>Dinah's Rebellion: A Biblical Parable for Our Time </i>(New York: Crossroad, 1990), 101-123).</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16.67px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>Nancy is an ordained minister and author of Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries: Ezekiel (2010). She earned a B.A. from the University of California in 1978; an M. Div. from the School of Theology at Claremont in 1985; and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1994. She joined the faculty of ESR in 1991.</b></i></span></span></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-18438027793655443242017-04-17T09:03:00.001-04:002017-04-17T09:03:28.805-04:00A student reflection on attending the 2017 International Conference on Conflict Resolution Education<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>In the post below, ESR MDiv student Andy Henry shares about his experience attending the recent International Conference on Conflict Resolution Education in Columbus, Ohio:</i></b></div>
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On March 16-17, I joined two fellow ESR students—Tom Decker
and Ashlyn Stanton—in attending <a href="https://u.osu.edu/cre2017/">the 11th annual International Conference on Conflict Resolution Education</a>. The event took place at the
student union on the campus of <i>the</i>
Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. It was encouraging to see and hear
from so many diverse practitioners during such a tumultuous time. There is a
great need for healers and coaches who are skilled in modes of conflict
engagement and teachers who can impart those skills to others. Our country and
world are anything but short on conflict and violence so we need all the help we
can get. My fellow students and I attended workshops on circle processes and
restorative justice in various contexts as well as ones that focused on the
conference theme. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The theme of the conference was “Tools for Preparing the
Change Leaders of the Future: Social Enterprise, Innovation, and Education.” I
was particularly attracted to this topic of social enterprise and was curious
about how it could be connected to conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Through the workshops, I learned about social enterprises like zero waste
initiatives, produce auctions, and revitalization efforts in Appalachian Ohio.
I also learned about the value of tying social enterprise to a larger narrative
rooted in a community’s history. These enterprises are vital for providing
services in a sustainable way, innovating for a community’s future, and
promoting peace through cooperative ventures. It is interesting to consider
these themes of social entrepreneurship in conversation with ESR’s emphasis on
spiritual entrepreneurship. There are several places of overlap and the
language of faith and spirituality provides a unique source of inspiration and
vision.</div>
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While we hosted a table and provided materials for folks
interested in exploring ESR, our presence in the workshops and discussions
seemed to be the primary point of contact in representing the school. To the
best of my knowledge, ESR was the only seminary present at the conference. We
were able to bring a unique perspective to the workshops, reflecting on how the
ideas and practices discussed by the facilitators can be applied or reframed in
terms of spirituality, theology, and faith community. That is one of the great
qualities of ESR: we seek to be present to conversations happening in society,
particularly those related to peace and justice. We also have a unique
perspective to offer, one rooted in the enduring language of faith and the
living light of spiritual vitality. I think we all left carrying some
beneficial ideas and topics for reflection. And I hope that we were also able
to contribute to the conversation of the conference. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<i>Andy, Ashlyn, and Tom are all currently pursuing their MDiv degrees at ESR. Andy and Ashlyn are pictured here. </i></div>
Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-85089637904283140972017-04-12T10:15:00.000-04:002017-04-12T10:26:15.006-04:00Student couples at ESR, Part III: Dan and Jaimie Mudd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><i>In recent years, the ESR community has been blessed with the addition of several couples who have decided to pursue seminary studies together. In this series, we will profile our current couples-in-residence. Below we feature Dan and Jaimie Mudd:</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dan and Jaimie had a
calling to ministries of individual and community renewal. They had cast
longing glances towards attending ESR for an MDiv. Together they began to
deliver retreats on prayer, Meeting and Church renewal as well as Friends
Couple Enrichment. While delivering a workshop at the 2016 <a href="http://imym.org/">Intermountain Yearly Meeting</a> they took time to visit with ESR alum Tracy Davis and ESR Student
Travis Etling. These ESR shining stars urged Jaimie and Dan to <a href="http://esr.earlham.edu/admissions">call Matt Hisrich and discuss admission possibilities</a>. They called Matt and proceeded to
enter discernment with their anchor committee. Within weeks they were admitted,
enrolled, moved to Richmond as Cooper Scholars and began studies. Whew! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">They
love sharing their lives as a couple with ESR and with Richmond. Dan’s passion
is creating a safe space for people to explore their spiritual life and
relationship to the divine. His ministry is focused on prayer, spiritual
direction, and the <a href="http://www.experiment-with-light.org.uk/">Experiment with Light</a> meditation. Jaimie brings her passion
for the Light within people and organizations into her work with faith
communities across the denominational spectrum. She enables the realization of
faith in action in community and entrepreneurial ministry. Together they
deliver <a href="https://friendscoupleenrichment.wordpress.com/">Friends Couple Enrichment Retreats</a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You can read the first post in this series, on Eva Abbott and Van Temple, here: <a href="http://esrquaker.blogspot.com/2017/03/student-couples-at-esr-part-i-eva.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">http://esrquaker.blogspot.com/2017/03/student-couples-at-esr-part-i-eva.html</a>. The second post in the series is on Elizabeth and John Edminster, and is available here: </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://esrquaker.blogspot.com/2017/03/student-couples-at-esr-part-ii.html">http://esrquaker.blogspot.com/2017/03/student-couples-at-esr-part-ii.html</a>. </span></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-91970402334286461972017-04-05T08:00:00.000-04:002017-04-05T08:44:31.720-04:00Student couples at ESR, Part II: Elizabeth and John Edminster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><i>In recent years, the ESR community has been blessed with the addition of several couples who have decided to pursue seminary studies together. In this series, we will profile our current couples-in-residence. Below we feature Elizabeth and John Edminster:</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">With the help of <a href="http://esr.earlham.edu/admissions/financial-aid">Cooper Scholarships</a>, Elizabeth and John came to ESR from New York City, where John had
raised two children to adulthood and retired after 44 years as a packaging and
display designer, and Elizabeth was working as senior research associate for a
consulting firm serving non-profits. Each of them a mid-life convert to
Quakerism, they had met at <a href="http://15stfriends.quaker.org/">New York’s Fifteenth Street Meeting</a> and married
under its care. Now members of Richmond’s <a href="http://www.quakercloud.org/cloud/clear-creek-friends-meeting">Clear Creek Meeting</a>, both had been
active contributors to the life of <a href="http://www.nyym.org/">New York Yearly Meeting</a> (NYYM), as well as
to their monthly meeting and to the annual meetings of Christ-centered Friends
in the Northeast. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Elizabeth holds master’s degrees in music and library
science. John, a sometime street evangelist whose tract <a href="https://among.wordpress.com/about-among-friends/thy-friend-john/jesus-christ-forbids-war/">Jesus Christ Forbids War </a>was taken under the care of NYYM in 2006, carries concerns to promote
ministries of prayer, hands-on healing, and mutual confession and absolution of
sins among Friends. John serves ESR’s student body as Recording Clerk of the
Student Meeting for Business and as editor and publisher of the weekly
newsletter The ESR Luminary.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You can read the first post in this series, on Eva Abbott and Van Temple, here: <a href="http://esrquaker.blogspot.com/2017/03/student-couples-at-esr-part-i-eva.html">http://esrquaker.blogspot.com/2017/03/student-couples-at-esr-part-i-eva.html</a></span></div>
Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-82723943628016414362017-03-29T08:24:00.000-04:002017-04-05T08:45:32.472-04:00Student couples at ESR, Part I: Eva Abbott and Van Temple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><i>In recent years, the ESR community has been blessed with the addition of several couples who have decided to pursue seminary studies together. In this series, we will profile our current couples-in-residence. Below we feature Eva Abbott (left in the photo) and Van Temple: </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I (Eva) started
working in pastoral care in 2012, I quickly realized I needed more knowledge
and training to do it effectively. After taking two courses on-line through
ESR, I applied for and was awarded a one year scholarship to continue my
studies. Van was nearing the end of a four-year effort to create an affordable
housing organization in New Orleans and needed a sabbatical for rest and
discernment. Moving to Richmond and joining the ESR community have revitalized,
deepened and directed our passion for justice. I’ve found academic study both
exhilarating and exhausting, and Van has been thrilled to audit several ESR
writing classes. We are both very grateful for the welcome and guidance from
professors, administration and staff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Professionally, Van has restarted his land trust consultant
business, and I will be exploring ministry direction in my upcoming 9-month
internship. I’m in conversation about a chaplaincy internship at the Veteran’s
Hospital in Cincinnati and an advocacy position with a local nonprofit
committed to community well-being and justice. Both of us have also gotten
active in the local <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1865913410354254/">Indivisible</a> resistance group and are watching, with wonder,
something new emerging in us and in the community.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You can read the 2nd post in this series, on Elizabeth and John Edminster, here: <a href="http://esrquaker.blogspot.com/2017/03/student-couples-at-esr-part-ii.html">http://esrquaker.blogspot.com/2017/03/student-couples-at-esr-part-ii.html</a> </span></div>
Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-15774085626662251802017-03-23T09:26:00.001-04:002017-04-05T08:46:22.454-04:00Emma Churchman: Working the 7 Deadly Sins Into Your Business, Part II<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>ESR graduate Emma Churchman describes herself as "a business mentor with a seminary degree and mad-genius psychic skills." In her latest blog series, she explores the concept of the "7 Deadly Sins" and urges us to "</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><b>actually look at what has stereotypically been called the 'shadow' side of your power – via the framework of the 7 Deadly Sins – as a way to motivate you towards a beautiful outcome in your business." Below is a preview of the four next posts in her series:</b></i></span><br />
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<u>Wrath</u></div>
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Wrath, or Anger – can be an incredibly powerful force, because it represents passion. And passion can help us move past resistance. As we’ve explored in previous blogposts moving past your resistance is absolutely critical for your success as a conscious entrepreneur.</div>
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Your anger has to move you towards your goals – because it is really destructive to just hold anger in your own body. Folks who hold anger often experience symptoms like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, weight gain, migraines, and general body tension.</div>
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The beautiful thing about being a conscious entrepreneur is that you have the capacity to feel your emotions, and the emotions of others, exquisitely, but then it’s as easy to allow all of these emotions to get stuck in your body, especially anger!<br />
So, how do you utilize anger in a healthy, productive way to reach your goals?</div>
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Read more here: <a href="https://emmachurchman.com/deadlysinwrath/">https://emmachurchman.com/deadlysinwrath/</a><br />
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<u>Greed</u></div>
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The most important shift I made for myself and my business is recognizing that money is simply another form of energy, and that money is what helps to create value for what I offer. I also had to recognize that I am infinitely abundant and that being in full alignment with the Universe means welcoming abundance.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_w3fyYjlItM/WNPLph9fLaI/AAAAAAAABSM/aUyS8IRG_7EhpcNqvEeNkdg6d9H2l7OdQCLcB/s1600/bigstock-Money-Tree-Success-Concept-117113618-768x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_w3fyYjlItM/WNPLph9fLaI/AAAAAAAABSM/aUyS8IRG_7EhpcNqvEeNkdg6d9H2l7OdQCLcB/s200/bigstock-Money-Tree-Success-Concept-117113618-768x768.jpg" width="200" /></a>In the universe the concept of free does not exist, because we are each infinitely abundant and part of our divine nature is to desire more. When we do not allow ourselves to desire more, we actually stifle our own growth and capacity.</div>
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So, in that paradigm it’s actually quite important that you have an open and positive relationship to abundance and money.</div>
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How do you cultivate your relationship to money, and to desiring more abundance in a healthy way?</div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida" , sans-serif;">Read more here: </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://emmachurchman.com/deadlysingreed/">https://emmachurchman.com/deadlysingreed/</a></span></span></div>
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<u>Lust</u></div>
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In our shared history, countless people have gotten killed over lust. Wars have been fought. Battles have ensued. Our dysfunctional relationship to lust has caused a lot of trauma in our world.</div>
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As conscious entrepreneurs, we must reclaim a healthy relationship to lust.</div>
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What is lust, really?</div>
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Lust. Desire. Excitement. Hunger. Longing. Thirst. Urge.<img alt="" class="alignright wp-image-1295" height="133" sizes="(max-width: 363px) 100vw, 363px" src="https://emmachurchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/bigstock-156098336-300x200.jpg" srcset="https://emmachurchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/bigstock-156098336-300x200.jpg 300w, https://emmachurchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/bigstock-156098336-768x513.jpg 768w, https://emmachurchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/bigstock-156098336.jpg 900w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" /></div>
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Lust is a passionate sense of desire. And desire, just to review, is exactly what will help you move past resistance. That is the WHOLE point of why I am doing this blog series on the 7 Deadly Sins and how to cultivate them for good in your business.</div>
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You must tap into your desire to enable yourself to move through and past your resistance.</div>
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Read more here: <a href="https://emmachurchman.com/deadlysinlust/">https://emmachurchman.com/deadlysinlust/</a> </div>
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<u>Envy</u></div>
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Ah, envy, the thing our mothers told us we should never do.</div>
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<a href="https://emmachurchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/bigstock-Two-ryukin-goldfish-in-contras-20322350-300x171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="wp-image-1302 alignright" height="182" sizes="(max-width: 457px) 100vw, 457px" src="https://emmachurchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/bigstock-Two-ryukin-goldfish-in-contras-20322350-300x171.jpg" srcset="https://emmachurchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/bigstock-Two-ryukin-goldfish-in-contras-20322350-300x171.jpg 300w, https://emmachurchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/bigstock-Two-ryukin-goldfish-in-contras-20322350-768x437.jpg 768w, https://emmachurchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/bigstock-Two-ryukin-goldfish-in-contras-20322350.jpg 900w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; height: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="320" /></a>When I finally decided to take myself seriously in my own business there was one particular female entrepreneur I was incredibly envious of. She has grow her business to 7 figures, she was a psychic, like me, and only seemed to do what she loved in her business. She talked about having $30k sales months and owning two homes like it was no big deal.</div>
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She talked about things like taking yourself out for a $20 glass of wine at a fancy hotel to put yourself into an up-leveled vibration. I kept thinking, but I could buy an entire meal for two people with $20.</div>
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Yet, there was a shadow part of me that REALLY, and I mean REALLY, wanted to be in the vibration she was upholding – to have that freedom of choice and expression and to not worry so much all the time about paying basic bills.</div>
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Envy can really inspire us. When we see something beautiful or see someone who has the success we desire it’s natural to want it for ourselves.</div>
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Read more here: <a href="https://emmachurchman.com/deadlysinenvy/">https://emmachurchman.com/deadlysinenvy/ </a></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-72723870844708238762017-03-22T08:52:00.002-04:002017-03-22T09:22:54.862-04:00Quaker Water<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Below is an excerpt from ESR MDiv student Jack Rowan's article appearing in the latest issue of </i>Western Friend<i>:</i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David Foster Wallace’s ideas are not revolutionary; indeed, they are the crux of nearly every civic ethics and religious catechism. However, the visceral examples and uncomfortable honesty he employed to make his points transformed the twenty-minute video of his commencement speech into a generational touchstone. In one example, he worked his audience into a cheering crowd by delivering a rant against arrogant, gas-guzzling, rude drivers with self-satisfied bumper stickers . . . and then he interrupts his own rant to make his point – that his audience’s ready cheers are exactly the sort of response he is encouraging them to resist. He emphasizes we must counteract our own arrogance and self-satisfaction, and resist our ready assumptions that we know who others are based on a few clues and our own self-focused immediate circumstances. He emphasizes, “It is unimaginably hard to do this, to stay conscious and alive in the adult world day in and day out.” </span></span><br />
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In contrast, Rufus Jones emphasizes the positive, practical, and renewing qualities a relationship with the Inner Light brings to an individual. The Inner Light answers existential angst by providing an indomitable source of inspiration and by revealing an unceasing call to fulfill God's will in the world. In the Double Search, Jones states through a relationship with the Inner Light, “We are no longer in the net of blind fate, in the realm of impersonal force, we are in a love-system where the aspiration of one member heightens the entire group, and the need of one – even the least – draws upon the resources of the whole – even the Infinite. We are in actual Divine-human fellowship.” For Jones, human community is the context in which the individual is able to both approach Divine communion and remain grounded in self. Much like Wallace’s conception of precious freedom, this path is not easy, nor static. It requires daily renewal. By imbuing the faithful individual with a sense of universal fellowship, God calls the individual to overcome systems of warfare, institutional poverty, oppression, marginalization, and existential threat. The faithful cannot ignore the systems that threaten human communion because they inherently undermine Divine communion as well. “We are all in this together” is no mere aphorism for Rufus Jones. Nor is it for David Foster Wallace.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To read more of Jack's article, please visit: </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://westernfriend.org/article/quaker-water">http://westernfriend.org/article/quaker-water</a>. </span></span>Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-11106357518556094482017-03-21T09:06:00.000-04:002017-03-22T09:22:41.869-04:00Yoga for a Messy World: Creating Calm in the Chaos<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<b><i>ESR MDiv graduate <a href="http://www.stevecleaver.com/">Steve Cleaver </a>delivered the following message during Joint Seminary Worship in Bethany Theological Seminary's Nicarry Chapel on Friday, March 10, 2017:</i></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Welcome-1<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Welcome. My name is Steve Cleaver. This is “Yoga for a Messy World,
Finding the Calm in the Chaos.” If you are look for the “Eschatological Humor of
Martin Luther and John Calvin”, then this is not it. Bathrooms are out in the
hallway. Note your exits. (points). There are no oxygen masks under your seats.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Silence, turn off, discard or destroy any technological devices that
are going to distract or deter you from living in the present moment. If asking
the question, What Would Jesus Do, he didn’t have a cell phone. At least it is
never mentioned in the bible. None of this talk will come to you by text or
phone. That I promise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Any time you find yourself not in the present, you find your mind
wandering into other places and times, wondering why you are here, wondering
how soon is lunch or if you unplugged the iron, just tap your finger, and say
quietly to yourself, this is my finger. Try it now. (pause) This is my finger.
Your body is your portal into the present moment. Let’s meet there. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Balancer-2<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Let’s start by coming into the same time frame. Each of us has arrived
from different places, experiences and speeds of time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Cross your left ankle over your right ankle. (pause) Now cross your
right hand over your left like this (pause) and bring them up and under your
chin. (pause) Now, bring the tip of your tongue to the top of the upper teeth.
This connects the microcosmic orbit. Breath in through the nose and out through
the mouth with a gentle “ha”. Picture balance internally or in your life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">(Do this for at least a minute)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There is no program-1<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Great. As we start, remember what I said about tapping the finger. The
only place we can truly connect is in the present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Okay to start, there is no program. No written guide to what might
happen this moment or the next. Even if I had one, none of us can actually say
what will happen. This talk, this life is a mystery. There is no map, only
tales from the past, to guide us. Nothing you can refer to when you feel bored
or wondering how much longer I'm going to talk for. If that brings discomfort or
uncertainty, fine, examine that. You brought that in here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Nothing I will say today is new. You know it already. I am just
reminding you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We need to start with a common
understanding of yoga<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Yoga is at least 2500 years old and so there are many definitions for
it, but for today’s experience let’s say that it is connection and a practice
that allows us to integrate mind, body and soul so that we can go beyond the
disconnection which brings us suffering. It can bring us moksha or liberation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Yoga is not simply the asanas or physical postures. As a matter of fact
certain yogic paths may be through mantra or service and not specifically
require asanas. It is hatha yoga that includes physical practice and
breathwork. The thought that asana IS yoga is inaccurate and based on Western
interpretation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Some yoga classes only teach
asana. They should more accurately be called asana classes. Or maybe not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The eight fold yogic path starts with yamas and niyamas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The yamas and niyamas are yoga's ethical guidelines laid out in the
first two limbs of Patanjali's eightfold path. They're like a map written to
guide you on your life's journey. Simply put, the yamas are things not to do,
or restraints, while the niyamas are things to do, or observances. Then we have
asana, paranyama, pratyhara (turning inward), Dharana(concentration), Dhyana
(meditation) and Samadhi. One is not just on one part at any point in life, it
requires continual practice in all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Tap your finger. I am in the present moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I am a yoga teacher. It is my responsibility to set a safe space and
offer a practice. I am not enlightened. If I am awakening, then I am still
groggy. I have struggled with depression and anxiety. I am constantly learning
and evolving. Wrestling with my own resistance to trust and love. My
responsibility in this life is to honor my path. My calling. My mantra is “I
know nothing”. It is oddly reassuring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The mat is the place for asana practice and that is where we meet. I am
not truly responsible for your experience. I am there to help guide you, to
challenge perhaps and to share. But you don’t have to listen. And I am not
interested in trying to awaken someone who is resistant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">If you experience anger, joy, love, or bitterness on the mat or here, I
did not bring that in, you did. You decide whether you bring it back out or
transform it through awareness. You are responsible for experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In my deepest practice, I am apolitical. I am connected to something
beyond that. But I remind you, I am unenlightened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As far as God goes, yogis believe in prana or life force. You may say
God, or Inner Light, or Chi or Spirit. You might consider it that still small
voice within. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Starting where you are: We are living
in a messy and chaotic world-2<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">First tenet. Start where you are. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We live in a messy and chaotic world. We are out of balance, unaligned
and disconnected. We are perhaps in a wilderness, bombarded with communications
and yet disconnected and unable to clearly communicate. We live in chaotic
times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">My electric car window doesn’t go up and down correctly. The Oscars
gave the Best Picture Oscar to the wrong picture. We live in a world of <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Facts. Lies. Alternative facts. Maybe alternative lies. Alternative
realities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Pluto is no longer a planet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We have continually betrayed the native peoples of this country by
taking land, their spiritual practices and their children. Now their water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Our Secretary of Education can’t spell, our Secretary of State wants
fracking but not in his backyard, and the EPA Chief thinks CO2 doesn’t effect
global warming. As someone commented, an IKEA cabinet has more integrity. But
some people don’t see it this way. Maybe they are also right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The book that has often been offered up for this time is George
Orwell’s dystopian novel, <i>1984</i>. Ironically, in the Gregorian calendar year
1984, if one lived in the Star Wars world, we were at peace. The force had
triumphed, Darth Vader was resurrected and Han Solo and Princess Leia were
finally together. Recently we learned that this wasn’t the end. Now Kylo Ren
has assumed Vader’s mantle, Han Solo was murdered and the real Princess Leia
has died. Too young.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It is indeed a messy time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The world was always messy<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This didn’t start now. The world has always been messy and chaotic. The
last administration had bombings, regime change and a Treasury Secretary from
Goldman Sachs. Though you may or may not have been struggling many people did.
We have always had messy times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We had the Milli Vanilli lip sync scandal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There have been times when school children climbed under desks for
practice of a nuclear attack. People built bomb shelters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There were lynchings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Holocaust<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Teapot Dome Scandal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Slavery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Polio<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The San Francisco Earthquake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Plague<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The bible would inform us that even when two were first gathered, they
misbehaved, and were thrown out of the garden. When four gathered there was
murder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Truth is we live in a story that tells us we are held on a planet by an
invisible force, that planet spins on it’s axis while it rotates a large fiery
object filled with an unknown amount of gas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The only real promise we get upon birth is that we will die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Tap a finger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I say this all just to remind us that people did make it through and
indeed so we don’t get stuck in some self indulgent suffering. As Gandalf said
to Frodo when Frodo stated, “ I wish it need not have happened in my
time,".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see
such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what
to do with the time that is given us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hqWr_2Fxgfc/WMv7W0RMIiI/AAAAAAAABRg/EoPtPgx0ilYVa-TjchOvdUy4E41eMkMQACLcB/s1600/gandalf-the-lord-of-the-rings-16472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hqWr_2Fxgfc/WMv7W0RMIiI/AAAAAAAABRg/EoPtPgx0ilYVa-TjchOvdUy4E41eMkMQACLcB/s400/gandalf-the-lord-of-the-rings-16472.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Back to where we are-1<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">So let’s decide what to do with the time we are given. To start where
we are. To get on the mat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I get it. The urgency seems intense. We are in a challenging time. A
wilderness. A dark night. I am not here to give you the Good News, though I
believe there is some. I am here to give you some advice from what I have
learned from yoga. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Starting with yourself<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We start within. We start by examining our own demons. The yamas and
niyamas are personal practices. The asanas give us structure and discipline.
They build flexibility, balance and core strength. They allow us to explore our
edges. We practice on a mat and then live into it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita"><i>Bhagdava Gita</i> </a>is a key story about the inner war. This inner work
is consistent with Christianity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In Luke, Jesus states “How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let
me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in
your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you
will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Quakers talk about experiencing the Inner Light or connecting with that
still small voice within. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Thich Nhat Hanh, the monk who started Plum Village said <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thichnhathanh/posts/10154298358819635">in a recent post</a> (referring to the time after 9/11):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> “We knew we needed to balance
the collective energy of anger, fear, and discrimination with a collective
energy of mindfulness and compassion. It is very important to counterbalance
fear with calm and peace. I reminded everyone that responding to hatred with
hatred will only cause hatred to multiply a thousandfold, and that only with
compassion can we transform hatred and anger. I invited them to go home to
themselves and practice mindful breathing and mindful walking, to calm down
their strong emotions and to allow lucidity to prevail. Only when we
understand, can compassion arise. When the drop of compassion begins to form in
our hearts and minds, we can begin to develop concrete responses to a
situation."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We need to build a strong foundation of compassion and understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">If we are in a wilderness, we must realize that the Promised Land is
within. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It is crucial to our survival. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The <i><a href="http://gnosis.org/naghamm/gthlamb.html">Gospel of Thomas </a></i>warns us:</span> "<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">If
you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will
destroy you."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Many years ago, I was the Program Director at a non-profit that served
children. I was idealistic and though not naïve, I wanted the world to be a
certain way, all black and white and certain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I found out that my boss was taking money, buying things for himself,
stealing from children, many whose family’s had little money. I took the
information to our board. For several months, I experienced some staff turning
their backs, people questioning, threats and sitting in an office next to my
boss while he passed out due to drugs or alcohol. Eventually he was let go.
That’s not the end of it though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I tell you this because it was not as easy as it seems. I questioned my
intentions. This experience aroused my inner demons. Demons I didn’t realize
were there. I spent many years after wrestling with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I am not saying I wasn’t right, but that there is a responsibility in
claiming your own power. He made choices, but my decision had an impact. My
demons almost killed me. I have had to practice loving my demons. When we
embrace them, rather than resist, then they can be transformed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Many activists self destruct. We need a practice that sustains us. Yoga
is such a practice. It does not have to be asana.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As I have looked around at what people advise, certain aspects are
common.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Exercise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Meditate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Start a gratitude
journal or connect with positive feelings. I used to think that this was just
to let the universe know I was grateful and keep on giving me. But it’s more
than that. Its neuroscience. When we feel grateful it creates pathways in our
brain. Our brain has elasticity, a neuroplasticity. And according to the work
of Candace Pert (and I simplify) says we create ports for emotions. If those
ports can welcome compassion they do, if its anger we create, we will welcome
more anger. As Thich Nhat Hanh says, we plant what we want to grow. If we plant
seeds of love, we will gain a crop of love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Accomplish one
simple task. Tim Ferriss suggests making your bed. There is more behind this
that comes from my research on PTSD. In 1976, 26 children were kidnapped in
Chowchilla, California and held in a bus underground. According to Peter Levine
only one child did not have PTSD. That child was using a spoon to try to dig himself
out. Small actions can bring us hope and a feeling we can do something, even in
the most challenging times. Did you make your bed this morning?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Setting intention-2<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We must also set an intention. I advocate for a vision for, not an
intention that is against. We must set a directions towards, not just away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I am reminded of the film, <i><a href="http://www.aforcemorepowerful.org/films/bdd/">Bringing Down a Dictator</a></i>, which documents the
spectacular defeat of Slobodan Milosevic in October, 2000, not by force of
arms, as many had predicted, but by an ingenious nonviolent strategy of honest
elections and massive civil disobedience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">While not perfect, for much the protests, it was about a vision of what
they saw possible in Yugoslavia.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Yoga Nidra-5<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Start with intention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Follow practice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">End with tapping finger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Connecting with others-5<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As you awaken, look around you. Do you see the people in this room with
your mind, your eyes, or with your heart. Can you place your hand to your heart
and look around. Take a few breath and then greet the person next to you as if it
was the first time. As it is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We must connect with ourselves and then with others. Find the people
like you and form groups. Support your soul with these people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We must also seek those that differ. We must build bridges. This may be
the difficult work but it is also where yogis would say, our edges are. In
yoga, we breath into our edges. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Connecting with God/Silence. Nam Myoho
Renge Kyo -7<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">What is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The essence of Buddhism is the conviction that we have within us at
each moment the ability to overcome any problem or difficulty that we may
encounter in life; a capacity to transform any suffering. Our lives possess
this power because they are inseparable from the fundamental law that underlies
the workings of all life and the universe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is thus a vow, an expression of determination, to
embrace and manifest our Buddha nature. It is a pledge to oneself to never
yield to difficulties and to win over one’s suffering. At the same time, it is
a vow to help others reveal this law in their own lives and achieve happiness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Summation-1</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">So to sum up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There is no program. No written guide. We always have and always will
be living into the unknown. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Embrace the mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Hug your demons<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Everyday: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Exercise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Meditate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Use a Gratitude Journal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Connect with one person like you. Reach out to someone you isn’t like
you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Every morning when you get up, make your bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-69265772695788406082017-03-07T09:25:00.002-05:002017-03-22T09:23:15.380-04:00 Emma Churchman: Working the 7 Deadly Sins Into Your Business<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br />ESR graduate Emma Churchman describes herself as "a business mentor with a seminary degree and mad-genius psychic skills." In her latest blog series, she explores the concept of the "7 Deadly Sins" and urges us to "</i></b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><i><b>actually look at what has stereotypically been called the 'shadow' side of your power – via the framework of the 7 Deadly Sins – as a way to motivate you towards a beautiful outcome in your business." Below is a preview of her first two posts in the series:</b></i></span></span><br />
<div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></i></div>
<u>Embracing Desire</u><br />
<br />
The only force that is as powerful as our need for survival is DESIRE. Unfortunately, we’ve been taught by all kinds of “spiritual authorities” for thousands of years that desire is wrong.<br />
<br />
We’re taught that we should be grateful for what we have. We shouldn’t want more, but be satisfied with our lives. This is especially true when our lives are pretty good.<br />
<br />
There is nothing wrong with having a gratitude practice. Gratitude is beautiful!<br />
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If we practice gratitude in order to make ourselves feel better because we don’t think we can attain greater abundance, or we don’t think we deserve an even more abundant life, then suddenly having a gratitude practice causes us to settle. It creates a limitation.<br />
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“It could be worse” is not a reason to stay where we are!<br />
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Desire has really not been okay for us. We have been taught that really wanting more for ourselves is not okay.<br />
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Wanting more – more money, more fun, more sex, more freedom – all of this has been deemed greedy, irresponsible, selfish and self-centered.<br />
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So we actually have a habit of squishing our own desires into submission because we have a lot of voices in our heads judging us for wanting more. We have a bad habit of keeping a very firm lid on the most powerful force for change in our lives – desire.<br />
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Here’s the dirty little secret of humanity – deep down we all want more! We just don’t let ourselves admit it.<br />
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So how do we fully tap into our desire to generate better results for ourselves and our businesses?<br />
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Our divine nature and the nature of the Divine is for more life, more creation – that is what we are here for and that is our nature.<br />
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You can read more from Emma's post here: <a href="https://emmachurchman.com/embracingdesire/">https://emmachurchman.com/embracingdesire/</a><br />
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<u>Cultivating the Deadly Sin of Pride in Your Business</u></div>
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Pride is a great motivator and you channel it productively by getting new results. The healthy way to utilize pride in propelling your business forward is to prove people wrong through your results.<br />
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Exercise: When pride becomes activated within you, get clear on what result you could create that would break that rule in a positive way for my life/business. Then go achieve it, and let your result speak for itself!</div>
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You can read more from Emma's post here: <a href="https://emmachurchman.com/deadlysinpride/">https://emmachurchman.com/deadlysinpride/</a></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-20965303710206261252017-02-21T08:38:00.000-05:002017-03-22T09:23:32.288-04:00He knows me, let’s know JESUS<div class="a" style="text-align: left; word-break: normal;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Kim BeomHeon (Tiger), an </span>ESR exchange student from <a href="http://www.hs.ac.kr/eng/academics/academics1_1_tab01.php?filtermajor=502010&curStr=3_2_3">Hanshin University Graduate School of Theology</a> in South Korea, </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">delivered the following message during Joint Seminary Worship at Bethany Theological Seminary and Earlham School of Religion on Friday, February 17, 2017: </span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Leviticus 19:18</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Psalm 23:1~6</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Romans 3:9~18</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">I heartily welcome and bless you today in the
name of the Lord.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We have gathered here to believe in something.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">The object of our faith may be God alone,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">it may be Jesus Christ, or it could be another
object of worship.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Why do we have faith, and why do we worship?</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Faith is the primary thing that saves us from
sin.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">The forms of salvation and methods of salvation
that world religions claim are diverse.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">The concept of sin we must know for salvation is
very diverse.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Especially, the concept of sin today is very
diverse.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">In these circumstances today, Christianity asks
this serious question.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">What is sin?</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">There can be various discussions about sin, but
I think that sin is not knowing oneself. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">"Do you know exactly who you are?"</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">In fact, we do not know much about ourselves.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Is there anyone who knows for sure where in the
flow of history that we have come, and where we will go?</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Nevertheless,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">When one falls in front of the love and
forgiveness of God,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">When all our sins are revealed,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We experience existence as sinners.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">There is nothing as foolish as claiming to know
God by experiencing His grace for one moment, this is because our belief is not
based on miracles, but in the Word.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">It is foolish to claim to believe
unconditionally because it is the truth,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">which is why we are here today to learn the
Word, to know how to believe. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">It is not an exaggeration to say that ESR and
Bethany seminaries exist to find the truth.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We sometimes find truths throughout our lives,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We are sometimes filled with curiosity and
explore what sin is about.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">I would like to propose that we look inside
together.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Try to think.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Think about your inner order.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">After all, we can not bring about perfect love
with our own strength,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">And we have no choice but to confess that we can
not completely forgive with only our own strength.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We can not solve our own problem of sin.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We have no choice but to obtain grace from other
beings.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">I was full of hypocrisy. After believing in
Jesus, I am still hypocritical.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">But the difference between the old me and myself
today is that I can confess that I am completely hypocritical at some point.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">I pretend to be someone who I am not.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">I fool even myself.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">I want you to stand in evidence of the love of
the cross.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">The cross is like a mirror,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">The cross exposes my ugliness,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">The cross shows my sin completely.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Look at Leviticus, the document of Judaism and
the Old Testament of Christianity.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Leviticus 19 verse 18 penetrates the entire
Bible.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against
one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.‘</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Forgive and love,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">How perfect is this human life portrayed here!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">The direction of our life is the word of
forgiveness and love of that in Leviticus.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">I do not wish to preach the word with dazzling
words and complex doctrine, but I want to tell you how God treats us as
sinners.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We can see how miraculous the truth of Romans
and Psalms 23 is.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We see the intersection of Romans and the
Psalms.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">And I see how sinful man is full of God 's
grace.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">I am a sinful man but God pours out his grace
upon me.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">I will read the Romans and the Psalms in order.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Romans chapter 3 verse 10 to 18</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Psalms chapter 23 verse 1 to 6. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Listen carefully!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Romans accuses humans.(v10~11)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">As it is written: "There is no one
righteous, not even one;</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">there is no one who understands, no one who
seeks God.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Psalms love humans. (v1)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Romans criticizes humans. (v12)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">All have turned away, they have together become
worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
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<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Nevertheless, Psalms love human beings. (v. 2).</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads
me beside quiet waters,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Romans points out strongly (v. 13)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">"Their throats are open graves; their
tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their
lips."</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Psalm loves humans even more. (v3)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of
righteousness for his name's sake.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Romans reveals the depths of sin (vv. 14-15).</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">"Their mouths are full of cursing and
bitterness."</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">"Their feet are swift to shed blood;</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Nevertheless, the Psalms forgive and love (v.4).</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Romans thoroughly exposes the sins of mankind
(vv. 16-17).</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">ruin and misery mark their ways,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">and the way of peace they do not know."</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Nevertheless, the Psalms are forgiving. (v. 5).</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">You prepare a table before me in the presence of
my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Finally,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Romans gives the final revelation (v.18).</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">"There is no fear of God before their
eyes."</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Nevertheless, the Psalms show love to overcome
the death of the cross (v. 6).</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Surely goodness and love will follow me all the
days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">The existence as a sinner fights with us every
day to be righteous.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">However with our spiritual conscience, we have
to admit that we ourselves can only lose in the fight. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We need to know Jesus, We need to strive to know
Jesus.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">He wants to know us, and show us. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">To know is to act with love, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">To know is to pray silently </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">To know is to seek grace. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">To know is to admit that we do not know about so
many things. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We need to know love in His Word. We need to
know forgiveness. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We are not alone, look around you, and see your
friends, your peers. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">God loves dirty people.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Dirty people can not love anyone with God.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Sinful people have hope to love.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<br /></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">Let us know, and strive to know. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;">We strive to love our neighbor with the strength
of Christ.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 160%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="a">
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-71189440153752402162017-01-11T08:35:00.002-05:002017-01-11T14:56:13.844-05:00“It is Well with My Soul”: A Journey of Grief and Faith<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">
<b><i>In this powerful reflection </i><i>ESR MDiv student Anne M. Hutchinson shares about the loss of her son. </i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Everything
about that phone call felt wrong, even before I answered. It had started as an
ordinary evening in April. I was in an empty classroom preparing for an English
as a Second Language class that I was subbing for, when my phone rang, with an
unknown number showing up on the caller ID. It was my son’s stepmother, and she
quickly put my son’s father on. He said starkly, without any preliminaries,
“Your son is dead.” My son? Not our son? When had he become exclusively “my”
son? Almost mechanically, I asked the requisite questions: how did it happen,
when would the funeral be. My ex said he had just come from the coroner’s
office and was too upset to talk any more. My son had taken his own life at the
age of 27.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Trying
to take it in, I called my sister and a close friend to let them know. It was
too late to cancel class. The students would be arriving within the half hour.
Somehow, through the shock, I finished my preparations and greeted the students
as they arrived. The subject was spring, which would begin in a few days. In a
numb state, I put on my bravest face and got through the session. I invited the
students to generate English words about spring: flowers, seeds being planted,
rain, frogs—of all things. From the words, they created sentences to practice vocabulary
and verb forms. They worked in their textbooks in small groups, as usual.
Finally, time was up and I sent them home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> My friend was working late in her office at the
university, and she had suggested that she stay there and that I pick her up on
my way home. It was raining hard, and I drove the hour-long route barely holding
back tears enough to drive. When she came out of her building, she came to my
side of the car and hugged me. We went to my apartment, and she sat with me
until I went to sleep. I called my supervisor to tell her what happened and that
I couldn’t come to work the following day. I knew that life would never be the same
again. There was a before my son died, and there would be an afterwards. The
afterwards had begun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There
were so many people to notify. My sister held back on telling my mother, not
wanting to upset her, until at last I told her that the news would be made
public, and that Mother should learn it from us. My daughter, who wailed with
pain when I told her, was too upset to continue the conversation. There was my
circle of friends, near and far. Some of the people I might have expected to be
supportive weren’t, and other people came out of the woodwork and offered unexpected
consolation. The following day, my friend Patti brought me a home-cooked meal
and a roll of toilet paper, saying she didn’t have any tissues in the house.
One friend offered condolences and said, inexplicably, he wished he could do
more. Flowers and cards came. I kept the flowers for as long as I could, and
sent a thank you note for every card. I wore black for forty days. The spring
and the earth in bloom were jarring contrasts to his absence and what was
happening inside me. Fall would be just as harrowing, with the knowledge that
the glory of the changing colors of the season was gone for him, forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">My
friend Donna came and prayed with me regularly, and brought me a pamphlet of
Bible verses about God’s comfort.<a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Journey%20of%20grief%20and%20faith_version3%20(1).docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Psalm
34:18 spoke to me in particular: “God is near to the brokenhearted, and saves
the crushed in spirit.” This was a heartbreak like no other. Donna told me that
it was all right to be angry with God about it, and that I should take my anger
to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I had joined a club I had never thought of joining, never
envisioned being a part of: the fellowship of grievers, the so-called grief world.
The horizon was blank for me. The days yawned before me when I woke up in the
morning. I stayed in bed for the first few weeks, not caring about taking
showers or getting out of my nightgown, venturing out only for absolute
necessities. I went back to work after two weeks, and stared blankly at my
computer. Finally, I told my supervisor that I just couldn’t do it. He sent me
home and told me to take another week off. The long commute to work seemed like
an insurmountable obstacle. Sometimes I got halfway there and didn’t have the
strength to continue, and turned back. The highway seemed to be littered with
the bodies of dead animals, more so than usual. I just couldn’t fathom that the
world hadn’t ended entirely. When I started going out again, to work and to meetings,
I came home to face evenings of emptiness and the pain of my thoughts and
memories. I don’t know how I managed to get through those awful first weeks and
months, for it wasn’t willpower: It was beyond my own powers. It was grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> There is no word for parents whose children pass away, as
there are words for other kinds of grievers: orphan, widow, widower. Is it
because this pain is too great for words? Is it because of the banality, the
frequency of this loss? All the tiny infant gravestones in old country
cemeteries, bearing the exact lifespan of each deceased child in months and
days stand witness to its universality. Eve. David. Mary. The parents of
soldiers and of AIDS victims. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There
are so many kinds of loss and grief, so many ways to lose a loved one, and one
doesn’t compare with another. I hated it when someone would say that they knew
what it was like because they had lost a grandmother or a parent. Does a loss
to suicide or traumatic loss hurt more than an anticipated one? I can’t know. I
only knew the aching unmendable loneliness and pain that I felt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> And how angry I would become when someone, certainly
without thinking, made some remark about what happened as being part of God’s
plan. Was it God’s plan that my son’s life should be cut short and for me to
live on without him, potentially for many years? I wanted no part of their God.
Others asked me if he had been on drugs, if he were in the military. Why would
they worsen my pain by suggesting scenarios that had nothing to do with him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">My
brother called the day after, sent a card, and has texted me faithfully every
week ever since to see how I am doing. He revealed that he had lost his best
friend to suicide. He told me to go to grief support groups. He told me to exercise.
He told me “persevere” – countless times. My daughter flew in and spent a week
with me. She was overcome by emotion at the funeral, and went back to the car
before it was over, but afterwards was an island of calm for me. A friend from
childhood told me that his faith told him that he would be reunited with his
loved ones. It was a comforting thought. But if that were so, how long would it
take until that reunion would occur? I thought of the Victorian notion of the
long divide, like a wide river, between the living and the dead. I thought of Tennyson’s
unreachable hand and voice never to be heard again.<a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Journey%20of%20grief%20and%20faith_version3%20(1).docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> A
woman in my Quaker meeting said that she would be a fortress for me with her
prayers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I put photos of my son in prominent places in my apartment:
the final photo I had taken of him, looking thin and grim, and a childhood
photo of him smiling, at about seven or eight years old. I tucked a photo of
him in my purse for when I went on trips. I placed a potpourri bear he had made
in grammar school in my bedroom, and I displayed two ceramics bowls he’d made on
one of my living room cabinets. I gathered up all the photos and school papers of
his that I had, and greeting cards he had sent me over the years, as well as
the consolation cards, and put them in a cardboard box in my bedroom closet.
After a while it became too painful to look at the photos and the little bear
and the ceramic bowls, and I put them, too, in the box. I had kept a plush
monkey with get-well messages written on his cast that we had bought for him
after a surgery, and the irony of him not being able to get well any more
stabbed at me, so I put that in the box also.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I went to grief support groups for a long time. There, I
found people who did know what I had gone through, and learned how they
responded. One of the facilitators often said that our pain could help other
people. Such a notion seemed, at best, a distant hope. Some of the people at
support groups became friends. I finally stopped going after one of the groups
I had gone to was so poorly organized that two people dominated the hour, and
several people told stories about how their loved ones died in horrible,
painful ways, worse than my son’s. Perhaps it was part of their healing, but it
was traumatic for me. All in all, however, the grief support groups were
immensely helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
also went to a heart-centered healer. With her, during the sessions, I achieved
a sense of serenity as memories, pleasant and often not-so-pleasant passed
through my mind under her comforting care. I talked to two intuitives, individuals who have
the gift of insight. One of them told her that my son was in good hands.
Another one told me that he was still processing what had happened and the
enormity of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
saw two psychotherapists, and they didn’t seem to connect with what I was going
through. To me, it seemed that they saw it as a loss among other losses, the
way of the world, and didn’t understand my particular kind of grief. Finally,
Donna called me and recommended a bereavement counselor, Polly, affiliated with
the local hospice. I saw Polly for about two years. She, too, often told me to
persevere. She asked me to tell my stories about my son, sometimes the same
ones more than once. She asked what he was like. She asked me if I talked to
him. I brought a photo of him to show her, and she remarked on how good-looking
he was. I told her the disturbing dreams I had about him, and she asked me what
I thought they meant. She always had a warm, welcoming smile and a hug for me.
Especially on his birthday and his anniversary—what a new meaning I now
associated with the word—she offered her ear and her comfort. I remember asking
her several times, illogically and with a tinge of desperation, how long the
pain would last. She repeated the same answer, that it’s different for
everyone. Later she told me that sometimes it lasts a long time. When I told
her about the little potpourri bear that he had made and the monkey with the
cast, tears welled up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I had stopped drinking three years before, and I had no
desire to drink. Certainly, that wouldn’t help, and would definitely make
things worse. But I began binge eating. I would stop at the grocery store on
the way home from work and buy a bag of gourmet cookies or a brownie mix which
I would then prepare, and gorge myself until I felt bloated and ashamed. Later,
the sweet of choice became ice cream, which I would buy by the half-gallon and
eat voraciously, do what I could to try to stop myself. I surfed uselessly on
the internet and kept the television on all the time just to fill the emptiness
I felt. Sometimes I would drive to the mall and window-shop aimlessly. For
months, I woke up at 2:30 a.m. every day, and couldn’t get back to sleep. I was
exhausted and sleep deprived for years. Sometimes I would get up around 5 or 6,
drink coffee, eat something, and do my devotions, but then be overwhelmed with
the emptiness and pain that I felt, and crawl back into bed for a few hours. Yet,
one of my friends wrote to me that “it seems like courage and heroism are housed
in your tiny frame... There is a war
going on, but still every day you put on your uniform and go out there to face
the bullets.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
had never stopped believing in a compassionate God who created and sustained,
but I had become distant from God. When I prayed, it was only foxhole prayers. I
had started praying again a few years earlier, and I repeated the few prayers I
knew. I loved Quaker waiting worship, but I was also looking for words to say
to God; not necessarily liturgical words, although I was open to those also. Maybe
my most devoted prayer was my tears. Often, I said simple one or two-word
prayers, asking God to lift me, to give me strength. I started reading the
lectionary and a commentary. I learned that the words of </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">1 Thessalonians 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances”
did not necessarily mean to give thanks for all circumstances, but to give thanks
regardless of circumstances, good or bad.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
didn’t lose my faith despite what I felt was an awful injustice that had been
done to me and the wrenching pain I was undergoing. I was walking by faith, not
by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), because I saw no end to the pain and no joy in
the future. I so disliked the aphorism that “God gives no burden that can’t be
carried.” My burden was breaking my back. I resonated with the words in the
Song of Solomon that “love is strong as death” (Song 8:6). If love never ends, as 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
declares, why should grief pass quickly, if ever? How I detested it when
someone would say that I had been grieving too long, that I should “move on.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I made impulsive, misguided plans. I thought about taking
a job overseas. Thankfully, none of those ideas came to fruition. I started a
graduate program where I felt totally out of place, and withdrew within a week.
The summer of that year, I had become a Quaker, after having attended meeting
for a year. I felt that I had so much to catch up on, and at my age I didn’t
feel I had any time to waste. And, sitting on my living room sofa one September
day with Donna beside me, we read the words from Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be granted
unto you.” It hit me like a thunderclap. I wanted to seek first the kingdom of
God, and other things didn’t matter as they had before. In January I started
seminary. My circle started expanding. The good parts of my days started
lasting longer, and I began to be more productive. Grief still came in dreadful
bursts, though, when I couldn’t get out of bed, couldn’t go anywhere. At those times,
I prayed for strength, for endurance, for hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I am skeptical of accounts of visions. Yet, while I was
staying at Evans House at Quaker Hill, which has seen such a history of
generosity and caring, to attend a conference, I had an experience of Christ. I
was in a drowsy state, trying to fall asleep, when I perceived a figure,
surrounded by light, standing near me. He bent and applied an ointment, a balm,
to my foot. Why my foot? So that I might continue trudging through grief? So
that I might have the strength to stand? Was it a waking dream? Or a
fatigue-induced hallucination? Whatever the case, it had a reality above
reality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> There are moments in life when one recognizes the gravity
of what is happening to one. I was at my yearly meeting annual sessions, having
breakfast with a friend. Two other Friends approached, asking to join us. I agreed,
but said that I was about to get a cup of coffee. One of them said,
unexpectedly, that he would get me the coffee. Then I realized that they were
on the nominating committee, and what they had to say was going to be important.
They proceeded to ask me to be a representative to the Friends World Committee
for Consultation (FWCC). One of them said to me that I knew about other faiths,
I knew other languages, and that I would be the right person for the post. I asked
a lot of questions, talked to my friends, prayed over it, and accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> In January of 2016, I went to Pisac, Peru, to take part
in the FWCC Plenary. W</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">hen I was the focus person
of a clearness committee as part of my discernment process related my going to
the Plenary, I lifted up the ideas of service connected to my participation,
forming friendships in the wider world of Quakers, and “changing my mind,” in
the sense of intellectual renewal. Some of those things happened, and I was
changed in unexpected ways as well: in heart and in spirit. One of the
committee members quoted Teilhard de Chardin: “<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Joy is the infallible sign of the
presence of God.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Journey%20of%20grief%20and%20faith_version3%20(1).docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
There was joy at the Plenary in Pisac.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Preparing
myself mentally for the trip, I worried about the inevitable questions that
might arise from people I met about whether I had children or not. I couldn’t
negate my son’s existence by not mentioning him. And, I had become careful now
about who I shared the fact of his death with. I had a set phrase for those I was
willing to tell: I have a son and a daughter, and my son is deceased. I even
learned how to say deceased in Spanish. Fortunately, the question didn’t come
up much. One of my roommates, an immigrant from Kenya, asked a few days after
we met. When I told her, she offered condolences and intoned “my children help
me keep going.” And Noemi, a wispy, shy Friend from Bolivia who was in my daily
discussion group, gave me a soft embrace when I had to tell her, and told me
that I was a very strong woman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzo647xEqCI/WHT6M7PtSSI/AAAAAAAABP0/kUBvOJafNzonZNGoCwqIcz2Pd5qMEnG2gCLcB/s1600/Horatio_Spafford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzo647xEqCI/WHT6M7PtSSI/AAAAAAAABP0/kUBvOJafNzonZNGoCwqIcz2Pd5qMEnG2gCLcB/s1600/Horatio_Spafford.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> One evening during worship at the Plenary a Friend told
the story of Horatio Spafford and the composition of the hymn </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“It is Well with My Soul." She related that Spafford
underwent financial ruin due to the Chicago fire. Subsequently, he lost his
four daughters, who were sailing to Europe with his wife Anna when the
steamboat on which they were travelling, the <i>Ville du Havre, </i>sank. Sailing to Europe to meet his wife afterwards,
Spafford’s ship sailed over the site of the ship’s sinking. Spafford related “On
Thursday last we passed over the spot where she went down, in mid-ocean, the
waters three miles deep. But I do not think of our dear ones there. They are
safe, folded, the dear lambs.” He then wrote the hymn.<a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Journey%20of%20grief%20and%20faith_version3%20(1).docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
We sang the hymn together:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When peace, like a river,
attendeth my way,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When sorrows like sea billows
roll;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Whatever my lot, Thou hast
taught me to say,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is well, it is well with my
soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is well with my soul,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is well, it is well with my soul.<a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Journey%20of%20grief%20and%20faith_version3%20(1).docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
asked myself if or how I could achieve acceptance as Spafford had. What
torments did he endure before he achieved acceptance? When, if ever, would I be
able to say that “all is well with my soul”? Would I be able to say, as Julian
of Norwich wrote, that “all will be well and all manner of things will be
well”? Yet, singing the hymn with hundreds of other Quakers in Pisac, I wept in
a confused combination of sorrow and joy. More than being in a support group,
or in counseling, or in prayer, I felt, at that moment, not alone in my grief,
and hopeful that it might be bearable one day. Not yet, not at that moment, but
someday. I would like to nail my grief to the cross “and bear it no more.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Journey%20of%20grief%20and%20faith_version3%20(1).docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Often now I pray the prayer of the father whose child was
cured of epilepsy in Mark 9: “I believe, help my unbelief.” I hope to move from
faith to faith, in the words of Martin Luther,<a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Journey%20of%20grief%20and%20faith_version3%20(1).docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> that
my glimmers of faith might grow. Sometimes I would pray for the strength to
pray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> A day doesn’t pass without my thinking of my son: the
pain of loss and of his suffering, and, at other times, happy memories of his
younger years. Memory is a two-edged sword: it gives meaning to life, yet it
also can also bring sorrow. I firmly believe that God moves through human
agents, but I don’t believe that pain is God’s will. God didn’t endorse my
son’s death, but God was there with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
Jewish tradition, the Baal Shem Tov said: “Happiness is a greater attribute
than sadness or weeping. Weeping only opens the gates of Heaven while happiness
shatters them entirely.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/hisrima/Downloads/Journey%20of%20grief%20and%20faith_version3%20(1).docx#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> One
day this past December I awoke before dawn with a sense of being surrounded by
love and serenity. I felt entirely free of anxiety or worry. Perhaps I have
opened the gates of Heaven. I am still waiting for them to be shattered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
would like to acknowledge the influence of James Loder’s <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Transforming-Moment-James-Loder/dp/0939443171">The Transforming Moment</a> </i>and his exposition of the concept of
convictional knowing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MB6-R1NgalM/WHT9D14hXLI/AAAAAAAABQE/eD3EuyWsaD8k7IVeIuzlBkzVmRqnsEOXwCLcB/s1600/anne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MB6-R1NgalM/WHT9D14hXLI/AAAAAAAABQE/eD3EuyWsaD8k7IVeIuzlBkzVmRqnsEOXwCLcB/s200/anne.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><i><b>Anne M. Hutchinson is pursuing her Master of Divinity at Earlham School of Religion. She is a member of <a href="http://ovym.quaker.org/Oxford.htm">Oxford Monthly Meeting of Friends</a>. You can follow Anne on Twitter </b></i></span><i style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #8899a6; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none !important; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/hutchinson_anne" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #8899a6; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none !important; text-indent: 0px;">@<span class="u-linkComplex-target">hutchinson_anne</span></a>.</b></span></i><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #8899a6; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-indent: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tags: grief, suicide, faith, prayer, transformation<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]-->Foundation, “Break, Break,
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\\uc0\\u8220{}Printed from The Jewish Press\\uc0\\u8239{}\\uc0\\u187{} Blog
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Mezerich.\\uc0\\u8221{}}","plainCitation":"“Printed from
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;"><b>Bibliography</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Gregg-Schroder, Susan. “Comfort from the Scriptures.” Accessed December 20, 2016. </span><a href="http://www.mentalhealthministries.net/resources/brochures/scriptures_for_comfort/scripture_comfort.pdf"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.mentalhealthministries.net/resources/brochures/scriptures_for_comfort/scripture_comfort.pdf</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: -24pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It Is Well with My Soul - HymnSite.com - United Methodist Hymnal #377.” Accessed December 20, 2016. </span><a href="http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh377.sht"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh377.sht</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: -24pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Justification by Faith Alone: Martin Luther and Romans 1:17.” <i>Ligonier Ministries</i>. Accessed December 20, 2016. </span><a href="http://www.ligonier.org/blog/justification-faith-alone-martin-luther-and-romans-117/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.ligonier.org/blog/justification-faith-alone-martin-luther-and-romans-117/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in -24pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Poetry Foundation. “Break, Break, Break by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.” Text/html. <i>Poetry Foundation</i>, Accessed December 19, 2016. </span><a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/45318"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/45318</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: -24pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Library of Congress, the. “Family Tragedy - The American Colony in Jerusalem | Exhibitions - Library of Congress.” Web page, January 12, 2005. </span><a href="https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/americancolony/amcolony-family.html"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/americancolony/amcolony-family.html</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: -24pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: -24pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Printed from The Jewish Press » Blog Archive » The Dynasty Of Mezerich.” Accessed December 20, 2016. </span><a href="http://www.jewishpress.com/kidz/midrash-stories/the-dynasty-of-mezerich/2015/10/16/0/?print"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.jewishpress.com/kidz/midrash-stories/the-dynasty-of-mezerich/2015/10/16/0/?print</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-572887072787516452016-12-14T08:16:00.000-05:002017-01-10T13:34:57.122-05:00New student introduction: Keelin Anderson<b><i>We have a number of new students joining us for our spring semester during the 2016-17 academic year. We're excited to introduce to you one of these - Keelin Anderson, who is an MDiv </i>Access <i>student from Portland, Oregon. She shares some thoughts on coming to ESR below:</i></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;">Hello to the ESR community! My name is Keelin Anderson and I live in the paradise that is Portland, OR. Everything you have heard about <a href="http://www.ifc.com/shows/portlandia">Portlandia</a> is true. Not only can I have hot soup and a new mattress delivered by bike to my home, I can also have my Christmas tree delivered petroleum free (well, at least the last mile of delivery). It snowed an inch yesterday</span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;">which, though rare, completely shuts down the town. Also, I am laid up with a sore knee. So, I have all of the perfect excuses to lounge on the couch and write this hello…</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;">I come to ESR with the hope that I will be able to work at my edge more fully academically and spiritually. My route here has been convoluted (though I am sure to God’s eye it looks strait as rain). I was raised without religion. I had no interest in God until my late twenties. At that time I took up meditation to manage symptoms left over from an abusive childhood. Meditation broke me open to a whole new worldview.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;">I’m now in my later forties, married to a very supportive atheist. We cooperate in the feeding and lap-provision for two somnolent cats. I’ve worked as a nurse and craniosacral therapist. I decided to pursue hospital chaplaincy about two years ago and so enrolled at the only interfaith MDiv program here in Portland (a Catholic university called Marylhurst). When I began, I knew close to nothing about Western religion or the Bible. I now know quite a bit more and am more cognizant of how much I don’t know. I’m not a Catholic, though, and I’m not sure I’m a Christian.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;">It had never occurred to me to participate in organized religion until I found out that I needed a religious endorsement to be a board certified chaplain. I tried the UUs for a while but found the services exhausting (read introvert). Last April, a friend from seminary invited me to his unprogrammed Meeting. There I was, innocently minding my own mental business in the lovely silence, when I was given a message. This was uncomfortable, awesome, full of love, and kind of embarrassing. I took it as a sign that maybe I belonged in Meeting. Belonging is not a feeling I am used to experiencing. I find it takes some practice.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;">Part of my calling is to expand my comfort with, and willingness to engage in, relationships with a wider variety of people. I did a unit of intensive CPE this last summer at a Level 1 Trauma hospital here in Portland (Legacy Emanuel). This experience focussed my calling exponentially. I loved the work and I loved the CPE education, though it was the hardest three months I have ever done.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;"> </span><br />
<br style="color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;" />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.98px;">All of these experiences bring me to ESR. I want a critical container in which to explore religion, spirituality, and service. And I hope to find a community that is both alike enough to me that I feel seen and heard, and different enough from me that I feel expanded and challenged. I look forward to meeting you all this January.</span>Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-54432218803763215952016-11-21T08:53:00.000-05:002017-01-11T14:57:28.755-05:00Transgender Day of Remembrance<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i>ESR MDiv student Anthony Kirk delivered the following message during Joint Bethany/ESR Worship on November 18, 2016:</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Being
transgender in America is a dangerous, lonely, and isolating existence. We are
denied safe spaces. We are denied equal treatment and protections under the
law. We are not given adequate medical treatment. We are even denied a place to
use the bathroom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> We have been butchered at the hands of politicians,
congregations, medical professionals, counselors, by gay and lesbian people,
our families… Our lives have been dismissed as not real. That we are simply
mentally disturbed. We can have the “dysphoria” beaten out of us, verbally,
emotionally, physically. We are left for dead. We are drowning in pain and
sorrow. We are murdered at alarming rates. 41% of us attempt suicide. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> 2016 has been a painful reminder to me and to my community
at just how vulnerable we are at the hands of our society. This year boasts the
highest rate of transgender murders—mostly transwomen of color—and the year is
not yet over. My siblings of God are calling suicide hotlines more than
previously reported. After the election last week the levels skyrocketed. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">According
to “Greta Martela, the co-founder and executive director of Trans Lifeline,
said <a href="http://time.com/4565274/crisis-support-line-donald-trump-election/">the line received 426 callers on election night</a>, the most it has ever
gotten.” She acknowledges the fears of many trans people in the following
statement: </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“We were hoping that we
would have an election and things would get better. This is at a time when the
Obama administration has been doing wonderful things for trans people and it’s
probably all doing to be undone. We’re looking at four pretty bleak years.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> As optimistic as I would like to be, I cannot find a silver
lining right now. This year has been horrible for my fellow trans children of
God. And as much as Obama has done for my community, the backlash from
conservatives has haunted me. <a href="http://www.hrc.org/blog/new-hrc-report-reveals-unprecedented-onslaught-of-state-legislation-targeti">According to the Human Rights Campaign</a>,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>An
unprecedented 44 anti-transgender bills are being considered in 17 states. Some bills undercut the ability of
transgender people to access
gender-affirming health care, create state-sanctioned
avenues of anti-transgender
discrimination and, last but not least, deny transgender people access to bathrooms, locker rooms and athletic teams consistent with their
gender identity. Unfortunately, a third
of the anti-equal access “bathroom bills” would apply statewide to multi-user restrooms, locker rooms and similar facilities. If passed, some impose
criminal penalties on transgender people
who use restrooms consistent with their gender identity.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Take a long, hard look at me. Look at the person standing
in front of you all today. My body has been forced to be political. It is
against my will that I and my community are dragged into hateful rhetoric. We
are unjustly targeted as predators, rapists, lecherous perverts who want to
“harm your daughters.” Wholly unfounded, entirely untrue, and dehumanizing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> We are scapegoats for greater problems. We are an easy
target for hate. We are a small, vulnerable community with everything to lose.
There are far more of us murdered and ending our lives than I can even name.
This is because so many of us are denied our identities not only in life but in
death. Some of us can never come out and be free. And for many of us that do,
it comes at a significant cost. I cannot express how terrifying it was for me
to take the steps to being true to God’s image. But I was one of the fortunate
few who has found acceptance and support, though for the first year I was often
alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Even acceptance from loved ones is often not enough,
however. When we are told time and time again by the media, church communities,
politicians, and countless others that we are not valid, that we are dangerous,
and that we are crazy, it beats us down. It demoralizes us, and when we cannot
even find a spiritual community that cares for us then it is understandable
that we lose hope. When we are told that we are abominations, we have gone
against God, and that we are living in sin, we are damaged. Often, beyond
repair. And no amount of intervention can save us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> My people are dying. I am angry. I am afraid. I am
struggling to “love my enemies” right now. I want to live a long, rich life. I
want to finish school, marry, have a family of my own, and heal children of God
with my ministry. I pray that I grow old. But the truth is I do not know if I
will. Today’s climate is so dangerous and terrifying that this may not happen.
I could be on this list in the future. I may be a hashtag. My name and my face
might be on the news, and not for my accomplishments. My body could be thrown
in a field, a dumpster, defiled and burned beyond recognition. I could be shot.
I could be stabbed. These are very real possibilities. This is the reality in
which I am forced to live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> This is the reality of my whole community. This is a painful,
uncomfortable, and disheartening. And those who do not accept us and see us as
fellow children of God add to this danger. When allies and other members of the
LGBT community do not raise their voices in solidarity and love, we are all the
more vulnerable. When people misgender us without apology, when we are outed
without our consent, when people do not accept who we are, when there is no safe
space for us to worship, when people ignore us, it adds fuel to the fire of
oppression. My community is surrounded by the flames, and I can feel the heat.
I am fortunate so far. Let me stress the words “so far.” But many of my
siblings have succumbed to the smoke or been burned alive. Psalm 22, verses 12
to 15 speak deeply to my heart:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>Many
bulls encircle [us], strong bulls of Bashan surround [us]; they open wide their mouths at [us],
like a ravening and roaring lion. [We]
are poured out like water, and all of [our] bones are out of joint; [our] hearts are like wax; they
are melted within [our] breasts; [our]
mouths are dried up like a potsherd, and [our] tongues
stick to [our] jaws; you lay [us] in the dust of death.</i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> In this dark, painful time, I draw upon Christ for
strength. And what I reach for is His suffering and His pain. This is why I
wear a crucifix every day. I know that Jesus understands what it is like to
suffer, to be abandoned and left alone. He knows fear, anger, and pain. Jesus
was humiliated before He was crucified; spat on, beaten, and had a crown of
thorns smashed on His heavenly head… Just as the trans people in my community
are bullied and abused in public for all to see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> On the cross in Matthew chapter 27 verse 46 Jesus cried out
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Why.
Why. Why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
ask myself this question a lot. Like Jesus, I find myself crying out to God.
And I imagine those in my community who are murdered and die by suicide crying
out to God too. But try as God might, God cannot fully control creation. We
have free will, and unfortunately people use it for evil. That is abundantly
clear for my community.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Jesus’
anguish and despair of being alone, humiliated, bloodied and beaten, and in
agony from his wounds are just like victims in the transgender community. Their
last breaths taken in terror and pain. I hear their screams, their muffled
cries. I see their eyes wide open or held shut, witnessing everything or
shutting it all out. But Jesus is there. He is holding them in those final
moments. And when their lives end, He weeps, for He knows exactly what they
went through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">With
each cruel end of yet another person in my community, this is the only way I
find solace. All I can do is remind myself that Jesus told us that “[he] is
with [us] always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). But for my
transgender siblings, the end of our age is often one stained with blood and
tears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4NZHhEDd60/WDL3-w14PaI/AAAAAAAABOo/oVIeOUx4H5AJXDj1OrHyI3ttEG65QyckQCEw/s1600/anthony%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4NZHhEDd60/WDL3-w14PaI/AAAAAAAABOo/oVIeOUx4H5AJXDj1OrHyI3ttEG65QyckQCEw/s320/anthony%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a><b style="text-indent: 48px;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Anthony came to ESR </span></span></i></b><b style="text-indent: 48px;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">in the fall of 2016 </span></span></i></b><b style="text-indent: 48px;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">from Midland, Michigan,</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">to pursue a Master of Divinity degree as a </span>Cooper Scholar. Anthony graduated summa cum laude from Saginaw Valley State Universit</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">y. </span></i></b><b style="text-indent: 48px;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">You can learn more about International Transgender Day of Remembrance <a href="https://tdor.info/">here</a>. </span></i></b></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-54009726915543370032016-11-15T09:22:00.000-05:002017-01-10T13:35:13.390-05:00ESR student Chris Duff: First reflections on studying in South Korea<div class="Normal1">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><b>ESR MDiv student Chris Duff is spending Fall Semester abroad - studying in Seoul, South Korea thanks to an exchange program partnership between ESR and <a href="http://www.hs.ac.kr/eng/academics/academics1_1_tab01.php?filtermajor=501010&curStr=3_2_2">Hanshin University Graduate School of Theology</a>. In the spring, Chris will return to Richmond along with two students who will join us at ESR from Hanshin. Below are some of Chris's initial reflections on his time there:</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Chris, 3rd from left, with fellow classmates)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve been
here in South Korea for the past two and a half months attending the Hanshin
University Graduate School of Theology as a part of a student exchange. The
life of a student here in Korea is really no different than it is in the United
States: lots of paper writing, replacing blood in your veins with coffee, and
an unhealthy lack of sleep. However, an added benefit is being able to witness
a unique blending of culture and religion that we often don’t get to see in the
west. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Korea is a
country with a long history and diverse religious landscape. Shamanism was for
the longest time the dominant religion in the country, and over the course of
time Buddhism, Confucianism, and, in the past century, Christianity have made
their marks on the culture and society of the country. Around 30% of Koreans
are Christian, a little less than 25% are Buddhist, and the remaining are
generally non-religious with small groups of other religions mixed in here and
there. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As it
usually goes, when these new religions came to Korea, they mixed in with the
culture in varying ways; while in other cases, some aspects of culture have
been rejected. For example, while Shamanism is no longer widely practiced, some
aspects of it have been assimilated into Buddhism. Buddha’s birthday and
Christmas are national holidays, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuseok">Chuseok</a> (the Korean Thanksgiving), which
has been around since Korea’s earliest days and is still a big celebration, is
often accompanied by ancestor remembrance and veneration. Of course, not all
cultural aspects are seen in the same light. While the Buddhist or secular
Korean may have no issue with the ancestor remembrance of Chuseok, a lot of
Korean Protestants will not engage in that particular ritual while still
celebrating the rest of the holiday. Interestingly enough, the Catholic church
in Korea as had no stance on ancestor remembrance and, technically, doesn’t
forbid its members from engaging in it. Likewise, it’s not likely that one will
see more conservative Christians go to temple for Buddha’s birthday. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
blending and remembrance of culture can be seen in other ways as well. Allow me
to give a couple of examples: the trip my class made to <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264307">Ganghwa
Island</a> a couple of weeks ago and the Orthodox church that we visited last
week. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ganghwa
Island is located about an hour outside of Seoul and is an important place in
Korean history. Not only have there been battles against the French, Japanese,
and Americans fought here, but historically it has been viewed as a place of
great spiritual presence and energy. Many people, including the founder of the
Korean Kingdom, view it as the center of the world. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The most
striking meeting of culture and theology to me is a small Anglican church,
which we first visited upon arrival to Ganghwa. Anglicanism isn’t a
particularly big denomination, but it first came to Korea in the early 1900s.
The church that we visited was Anglican through and through, with the altar,
crucifix, and statues of Mary and the saints as a part of the external
trappings. Yet, the exterior of the church was 100% Korean. It was designed in
the style of buildings common at the time, complete with sliding doors and
cupboards for taking off one's shoes. When the missionaries came to the Island,
they wanted it to be familiar with what the Koreans knew. I found this to be
very interesting. As far as I’m aware, many churches brought to foreign lands
by missionaries often didn't build the churches to resemble the architecture of
the native land. They may have aspects in their building style, but the overall
structure tended to resemble the style of the country where the missionaries
came from. I just thought it was a unique aesthetic and one that I wish I had
seen more of during my time here. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the
flipside, the Orthodox church I visited had little to virtually no influence
from Korean culture, aside from having Korean deacons and priests. The
architecture, interior, and general atmosphere was 100% Orthodox and, honestly,
seemed kind of out of place in relation to its surrounding area. Even the
resident nun, one of the priests, and a monk of the church were European, and a
sizeable percentage of people the church served were Russian and English
speakers. Additionally, knowing what I know of Orthodoxy, I can guarantee that
this is a denomination that has very little blending of their theology with
certain aspects of Korean culture. I just don’t see an Orthodox Christian going
to a temple for Buddha’s birthday or venerating their ancestors on Chuseok. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These are
but a few small examples of the meeting point of culture and theology that I
have seen here in Korea, and I’m certain that there will be more. All of this
has me thinking, which is more important: the theology or the culture? Of
course, the theology shapes the beliefs found in any belief system and shapes
how one sees the world, but culture is every bit as important to how one sees
the world. What is the best way for these two to meet? Does theology take
precedence over culture completely eradicating parts deemed too “pagan” and
claiming a universal truth? Does culture take precedence over theology, to the
point where practices and customs fall outside of theological orthodoxy and
into syncretism? Is there (or can there be) a middle ground between the two? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Personally,
I don’t know. I would like to think there’s a middle ground, but both culture
and theology are such complex entities that neither can be limited to neat
little boxes or simple “yes or no” hypotheticals. Take me for example: I’m a
white western dude, who practices a very eastern religion, but I am not
culturally Indian and I never will be. I’m western through and through and am
proud of the intellectual and philosophical history of many great western
thinkers. Yet, at the same time, my theology does influence a large part of my
life and how I see the world; which is radically different than how most
westerners see the world and universe.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then
again, I’m just a graduate student on a consistent coffee rush living on a tiny
blue ball in a vast starry universe. What could I possibly know with any kind
of certainty?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435679274201464716.post-82874930136774457432016-09-09T08:24:00.000-04:002017-01-10T13:34:02.222-05:00Why Not Preach Philemon?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>ESR's Stephen Angell delivered the following message during worship on September 6, 2016:</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Although
Paul’s epistle to Philemon is one of the Scriptural texts suggested by the
Revised Common Lectionary for this week, I have never heard a sermon given on
this text. This provoked me to think about what I, or the broader Christian
church, might be missing by not hearing more sermons on Philemon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pMaGCQ9c5uY/V9GC2kML7UI/AAAAAAAABNM/PAq0NZe5Y5wy2RtczWO_3zVFChfsS83ZwCLcB/s1600/CharlesColcockJones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pMaGCQ9c5uY/V9GC2kML7UI/AAAAAAAABNM/PAq0NZe5Y5wy2RtczWO_3zVFChfsS83ZwCLcB/s320/CharlesColcockJones.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CharlesColcockJones.jpg">Charles Colcock Jones [Public domain], <br />via Wikimedia Commons</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
evangelical Presbyterian Charles Colcock Jones (1804-1863) was, according to <i><a href="http://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1400329?rskey=TBvBBL&result=20">American National Biography Online</a>, </i>“a
wealthy planter … best known during his lifetime as a tireless worker for the
evangelization of African-American slaves. … Hundreds [of slaves] joined one of
his churches [in Liberty County, near the Georgia sea coast.] … Though he was
frequently sought out for advice and counsel, slaves never forgot that Jones
was a slaveholder and their response was always filtered through that reality.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once,
possibly in the 1830s or 1840s, Jones chose the text of Philemon for his open
air church service for slaves. This choice of text did not inspire a favorable
response from his audience. According to Jones (as recorded in his diary), “</span><span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I
insisted on fidelity and obedience as Christian virtues in servants and, upon
the authority of Paul, condemned the practice of <i>running away, </i>one half of my audience deliberately rose up and
walked off with themselves, and those who remained looked anything but
satisfied, either with the preacher or his doctrine. After dismission, there
was no small stir among them; some solemnly declared that there was no such
Epistle in the Bible; others, that they did not care if they ever heard me
preach again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(That’s questionable exegesis
– Paul uses the word “obedience” once in this epistle, in verse 21, and it is
applied to Philemon. Paul is hoping for Philemon’s obedience. He mentions
nothing about Onesimus’ obedience.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-blXkSOSj0HU/V9GDh5_bLkI/AAAAAAAABNQ/-97afwcoCkk5T2ktffJk5qiLPldz3Oq7QCLcB/s1600/Lucretia_Mott._275011v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-blXkSOSj0HU/V9GDh5_bLkI/AAAAAAAABNQ/-97afwcoCkk5T2ktffJk5qiLPldz3Oq7QCLcB/s320/Lucretia_Mott._275011v.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lucretia_Mott._275011v.jpg">By F. Gutekunst, Philadelphia, Pa. (Photographer) <br />[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucretia_Mott">Lucretia Coffin Mott</a>(1793-1880) is widely known for her tireless labors on behalf of abolitionism
and women’s rights. She would never have chosen the book of Philemon as one on
which to base her message to a hushed Quaker gathering or any interfaith
assembly of abolitionists. But, in 1842, she attended a Quaker quarterly
meeting in New Jersey, where conservative Hicksite George F. White “preached of
Onesimus being sent back to Philemon. . . He … carried many with him.” (Letter
to Nathaniel Barney, 10<sup>th</sup> mo. 8, 1842) Mott was also moved by God to
speak on that occasion, and she records that she spoke as if White had not been
present. This could be seen as a subtle rebuke to White. Later speakers in a
Quaker meeting often attempt to bring in strands of the insights of earlier
speakers. But Mott implied that White’s use of Philemon, at least in this
particular way to celebrate Paul’s decision to return a fugitive slave to his
master, was not at all inspired and thus she would take no notice of this
previous message.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The historical realities that
shaped the preaching of Jones, Mott, and White, and the responses of their
audiences are close enough to our own reality in the United States (even after
the Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment) that we may well
regard the presence of Philemon in the Scriptural canon as an embarrassment.
Perhaps we sympathize with the seventeenth-century Quaker theologian Samuel
Fisher who objected to the presence of Philemon in the canon, because it had no
worthy spiritual dimension. Since it dealt only with “private” and “domestick”
matters, Fisher argued, its relevance beyond the initial audience of one for
which it was intended was highly suspect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the least, it is a text to
be handled with care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But I wonder what interpretive
possibilities have been missed with this text. What might be done with a
reader-centered interpretation of this intriguing narrative? Can we understand
this story as an exercise in contextual ethics? Unlike Paul’s other epistles,
there are no matters directly relating to proper Christian doctrine in this
epistle; it deals with matters that, within a seminary curriculum, have fallen
under the province of ethics and pastoral care. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paul_in_prison_by_Rembrandt.jpg"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ys69U6Z6ji4/V9GB_6a2NjI/AAAAAAAABNE/Z1kB-h0Px7AlxxlAqaZWC4i5gvEpVZWzwCLcB/s320/Paul_in_prison_by_Rembrandt.jpg" width="262" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paul_in_prison_by_Rembrandt.jpg">Rembrandt [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a Jew who is a person of
privilege, specifically of citizenship privilege, because he is a citizen of
the prevailing empire, Paul has been led to address a friend, a clerk of a
Quaker meeting (or, if you insist, the leader of a “house church”), who is
another person of privilege, a slaveholder, who under the laws of that same
empire owns another human being. Paul wants this other person of privilege to
relinquish some of his privilege, by emancipating a person that he owns. Could
this have any relevance to our own situations? Christians, throughout two
millennia of history, have often interpreted the Apostle Paul, and his
addressees, and the people that Paul discusses, as Every Person; we can readily
identify with all sides of the dilemma. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At this point, it could well
be appropriate to analyze the epistle line by line to appreciate the strategies
that Paul is using in his attempt to gain his end. While that could be quite profitable,
I will forgo that exercise today. I would simply ask that you put yourself in
the shoes of Onesimus, of Philemon, and of Paul. How does this situation look
to you from each vantage point? If you were writing this epistle from the
viewpoint of Onesimus, what would you say? If you were writing from Philemon’s
viewpoint, what would you do? If you were to re-imagine the position of Paul
himself, would you write anything differently?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://quakerbooks.org/products/black-fire-2251" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQGLvsXsaSA/V9GEwxfivrI/AAAAAAAABNU/3WyCA7v9AgoyHoNMRLW9vsmOZ94RnL06ACLcB/s200/black%2Bfire.jpeg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t avoid challenging subjects,
just because they are awkward and difficult. Rather, engage them with
enthusiasm, because they’re important. During my sabbatical, I had the
opportunity to be Scholar-in-Residence at <a href="https://reedwoodfriends.wordpress.com/">Reedwood Friends Church</a> in Portland
Oregon. Part of my responsibilities was to lead two discussion series. I chose
to lead the Sunday morning discussion series on Early Quaker Theology, and the
Wednesday evening discussion series on the writings of African American Quakers
on Spirituality and Human Rights. There seemed to be particular interest in the
Wednesday evening series on Black Quakers. It was remarked to me that my
predecessors as Scholars in Residence (roughly one a year for four decades) had
often talked about Early Quaker Theology, but no one had previously explored
the insights of African American Quakers. We had a great deal of enjoyment and
fun, as well as serious moments, looking at the thought of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Thurman">Howard Thurman</a>,
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sojourner_Truth">Sojourner Truth</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Toomer">Jean Toomer</a>, <a href="http://articles.philly.com/1989-10-19/news/26115824_1_poetry-collection-poems-family-and-love">Helen Morgan Brooks</a> and others. (See Harold D.
Weaver, Jr., Paul Kriese, and Stephen W. Angell, <i><a href="https://quakerbooks.org/products/black-fire-2251">Black Fire: African American Quakers on Spirituality and Human Rights</a>.)
</i>What important topics for the seminary and the theological curriculum have
we been overlooking? Is there some way that we can set aside our embarrassment
and find a good way to dive right into this overdue topic?</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yaJ7PCqHi8/VaaVuWLqsLI/AAAAAAAABIY/0wlCqOBu71E/s1600/Steve%2BAngell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 48px;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yaJ7PCqHi8/VaaVuWLqsLI/AAAAAAAABIY/0wlCqOBu71E/s200/Steve%2BAngell.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px;"><b style="text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 32px; text-align: left; text-indent: 28.35pt;">Stephen W. Angell is </i></b><b style="text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 32px; text-align: left; text-indent: 28.35pt;">Earlham School of Religion's </i><em style="background-color: white; line-height: 32px; text-align: left; text-indent: 28.35pt;">Geraldine Leatherock Professor of Quaker Studies.</em><i style="line-height: 32px; text-align: left; text-indent: 28.35pt;"> His most recent book, </i></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 1.3;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Early Quakers and their Theological Thought: 1647-1723<i>, is available <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Early-Quakers-their-Theological-Thought-ebook/dp/B00Y37Z8FS">here</a>. </i></b></span></span></div>
Earlham School of Religionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04413577729231632189noreply@blogger.com0