All Things to All People

The Broadway musical "Chicago" tells the story of two accused murdresses who "beat the rap" because of the manipulations of Billy Flynn, a lawyer with some shadey ethical standards. Perhaps the most poignant part of the musical is when the blindly loyal and trusting husband of one of the murdresses responds to her betrayal of him and their marriage. The song that he sings, "Mr. Cellophane" is very disturbing indeed. Here is the end of his introduction and the first verse of the song.

"And even without clucking like a hen Everyone gets noticed, now and then,
Unless, of course, that personage should be Invisible, inconsequential me!
Cellophane, Mister Cellophane, Shoulda been my name, Mister Cellophane. 'Cause
you can look right through me, Walk right by me And never know I'm
there..."

St. Paul wrote, "I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some." (1 Cor. 9:22) I've been thinking about expectations and roles of the pastoral office and those persons that fill these positions. Actually, much of my work involves dealing with these expectations. But, this week in meeting with search committees both these words of Paul and the song from "Chicago" have come to mind frequently.

We want our pastors to be our spiritual leaders. We want them to help us attract new members, develop a strong youth group, work with the leadership to have a vibrant church school and help the church become an active presence in the community. We want them to do these things, and yet something happens when they actually begin to do them.

Indeed, Pastor Paula wants to attract new people, and so she suggests that the church become involved in a new promotional program: new signs along the road, television, radio and newspaper advertisements, sending direct mail invitations out to the surrounding community, purchasing "God is Still Speaking" banners. She even suggests buying a van to be available to pick up prospective members. All of a sudden we begin to realize that growth requires a commitment. There's a cost to growth. And, in the parking lots and around the edges of the coffee hour you begin to hear the "rumblings".

This new "spiritual leader" is taking her position and calling seriously. Not only this but new people are coming! The problem is that they're a little strange to us. These young people! So many of them have tattoos and many others sport body piercings (even the young professionals). Most of them are new to church and so don't know how we do things. In fact they question why we do things the way we do.

They begin to push us to become involved in Habitat for Humanity. They don't want to serve on committees. They'll serve on task groups that work to accomplish certain projects, but a three year term on some committee is out of the question. They want to grow spiritually, to find meaning for the life that they lead the rest of the week. They don't seem to understand that our churches have been here for a long time. Many of our congregations are made up of families. We all related somehow and these new folks with strange ideas are, well, strange.

And, it's all the pastor's fault. We wouldn't have to deal with changing the way we do things, if she hadn't brought in these new folks. Besides, she's beginning to preach about things I'd rather not hear. The Bible is about faith and eternal life. It doesn't have anything to do with public policy.

Sure, we care about the folks that are dying in Darfur. We know that we have to do something about global warming. The war in Iraq is increasingly unsavory for a growing number of people. But, do we have to hear about these things in church. Does she have to say that the Bible calls us to act to promote the beauty of the earth? Does she have to say that the God who loves the world actually wants us to make certain that our hearts, minds and public policy ought to promote loving the world, too?

Wasn't it better when we could come to church, have the announcements, sing a few of the old hymns, hear the preacher preach "biblical sermons", attend the coffee hour and go home? And, remember when Pastor John was here. Everybody loved him. He smiled, told nice stories, always had a good word to say to folks. He never expressed any of his own opinions. He always wanted to know what we wanted. He wasn't ever pushy. Yes, those were the good old days!

Many pastors feel great pressure to both lead the church into growth while doing so in congregationally acceptable ways. It is the wise pastor that can figure out how to do both in the spirit of Paul that seeks to be all things to all people.

From a certain professional vantage point this approach is not encouraged. There are those that think from a "boundaries awareness" standpoint that view this strategy as leading to "over functioning." Pastors that try to do and be everything 24/7 are just trying to do too much. They don't allow for and encourage responsibility or accountability of their congregants for their own discipleship.

I read this assertion from Paul somewhat differently. I see Paul adapting the message of Jesus Christ to the audience present at any given time or place. The message is the same. The means used, the vocabulary adopted, the songs sung and the plans made change. The message of grace through faith in Jesus Christ remains. Therefore, Martin Luther could adapt tunes from the local tavern and make them into the great hymns of the Church. 16 and 17th century Jesuits could wear saffron colored robes instead of the traditional black when working with Buddhists in Japan.

It is true, however, that pastors give into the pressure and give their congregations what they want and not what they need from them as spiritual leaders. Even in worship leadership I have suffered through many a service where the pastors and other leaders seem almost apologetic in calling people to worship. So much of our time together in worship in our churches feels like Amos, the "Chicago" character who says at the end of his "Mr. Cellophane" song, "Hope I didn't take up too much of your time."

In the midst of these pressure points for our pastors and congregations thunders these words from I Peter (3:15), "Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is within you..."

It is for the hope that is within us that God calls us to worship, meets us in Grace and sends us forth to serve. It is for the hope that is within us that we seek to follow Christ as we live our daily lives, standing up for and seeking to do what is right, just and kind.

In his interview with Bill Moyers on "Bill Moyers' Journal" this week Jeremiah Wright spoke of his first years as pastor of Trinity UCC in the southside of Chicago. He looked out at the folks in the pews in this struggling church and saw dispirited folks trying to figure out how to get by. In following upon the challenge of one of his seminary professors, Martin Marty, he began developing a ministry that would tie what they heard and did in Sunday morning worship in to what they experienced the rest of the week. Yes, the congregation and the community needed hope. They needed to hear of the Good News of Jesus Christ in the by and by. But they also needed to hear about the hope that Jesus offers for the here and now.

This can be a controversial approach to pastoral ministry. In Jeremiah Wright's case it certainly has become so. When you work to lift up a group of people in word and in deed, in inevitably step on powerful people's toes. And, he has. Has what he has done and said all been of God? Probably not. He is human, after all. Has he sought to be faithful to God's call to preach God's word. Undoubtedly. He is nothing, if not sincere in his desire to serve God faithfully.

This is not meant to be a defense of Jeremiah Wright. He needs no defense from me. Neither is it a confession of missplaced homage to someone who is a more dynamic preacher, a better organizer, a much better evangelist than I. What it is meant to be is a meditation on the one's God needs and calls to serve the Church as spiritual leaders.

As God calls all people to love God with our whole being (body, mind and spirit), so does God call the church to minister to the world with everything and in everyway that we can. Furthermore, God calls leaders to lead in the very same wholistic way. Pastors and churches need to continually ask themselves how and to whom God is calling them to "feed the hungry with good things."

Who are the hungry? How can they be filled? What is keeping the food from getting to them? In answering these questions we will undoubtedly find that the answers are spiritual and individual, yes, but that they are also corporate and physical, emotional and political.

As the Church of Jesus Christ, we stand for something. We stand up for the love of God in Christ shared for all people. We stand up for the love that is radical enough to forgive the unforgiveable, show mercy to victims and perpetraitors alike, reconcile with our enemies, promote what is right and speak out against that which is wrong. This is the love that Jesus commanded us to have and to share.

I am thankful that the United Church of Christ is not a Mr. Cellophane communion of the Church. We do stand up and out for our concern for justice, inclusion, ecumenical and interfaith commitments, and personal freedom of scriptural interpretation and faith expression. We might not like the attention that we've been getting recently. But at least people know that we're here.

Blessings,

Rick Cowles

This and That

It's been a little while since my last posting. My wife, Susan, and I were on vacation last week. We went to Williamsburg, VA for a couple of days. The weather was perfect, like here: blue skies, warm temperatures. But, unlike here, the trees and early spring flowers were in full bloom and the grass was a rich green. It was very nice.

It's nice to be back, also. Although, the warm sunshine would draw me out from my office to enjoy a nice walk through my favorite golf course! Alas, my discipline is sharp and I remain glued to my laptop. ("Ahhh! Too bad!," I hear you collectively moaning.)

There are some things to share with you, however. Some significant things.

Jeremiah Wright is going to appear on Bill Moyers' Journal this Friday, April 25. Check you local listings. (In Central New York WCNY broadcasts this program at 9:00 PM. Check the PBS channel in your own area for scheduling.) For more information click on the link to the article on the United Church of Christ website: http://www.ucc.org/news/jeremiah-wright-to-be-intervie.html.

In response to John Thomas' call for a national "Sacred Conversation on Race" in every UCC pulpit, the UCC blog invites pastors to share their preparation ideas and thoughts for the day. Here is the link to the article from http://www.ucc.org/ announcing the invitation: http://www.ucc.org/news/blog-invites-ucc-pastors-to-sh.html. Pastors are urged to contact Chuck Currie, the blog convener, at chuck.currie@gmail.com.

Association Meetings are coming up. The Susquehanna Association is meeting this Saturday, April 26, at the Danby Federated Church. Registration begins at 8:30 AM with worship at 9:00 and program at 9:30. The program will consist of a series of workshops: Sprite Johnson will introduce the new UCC Christian Ed. curriculum; Kelly Shiflett will share videos of some of the speeches given at the last UCC General Synod; and David Heckman will lead a workshop on designing your own website. You can still register by contacting Jan Jeffers at registrarsany@hotmail.com.

The Oneida Association will meet this Sunday, April 27, at the Pulaski Congregational Church. Registration begins at 2:30 PM. The program will be "Music in our Churches". A special part of the day will be the vote to officially receive Three Steeples United into membership as one of our churches. Paris UCC came together with the Presbyterian congregations in Sauquoit and Waterville to form Three Steeples United. time is running out to register for the meeting and the dinner. Please contact Sue Gibson at sgibson@twcny.rr.com.

Wayne Gustafson reported to me last week that he has started a blog through his ministry as the Interim Pastor at The Park Church, Elmira. He very kindly said that he was inspired by UCCNY Crossroads to start one himself. Check it out at hlc-at-park.blogspot.com.

Increasingly, our churches are trying new media to connect with their members and the community. UCC Norwich has a tradition of participating in an ecumenical Palm Sunday parade. Last year I shared a photo of pastor Joe Connolly carrying the cross in one of my postings. This year the church has produced a video.



There is still time for authorized ministers to register for the Spring Clergy Retreat, August 28-30, at Christ the King Retreat Center in Syracuse. Click on this link to register: https://webview.shelbyinc.com/app/03051/default.aspx.

Blessings,

Rick Cowles

"Glory Days"

Rock 'n Roller Bruce Springsteen wrote and sang this song about meeting up with old high school friends over a drink or two. There was the baseball star who "could throw that speed ball by you," and the beautiful woman who could and still did "turn all the boys heads." At the time of the song, the baseball star only bent his arm at the neighborhood bar and the beautiful woman was a single mom working hard to get by. But, Ah! Those glory days when things were good, when we were "on our game"!

Sometimes when I'm working with churches that are in transition, or that are in the process of entering into a visioning process, I ask them to think about and describe the perceived glory days of their congregation. A few years ago in Newark Valley, I sat around the table at the First Congregational Church with a gathering of the Church Council, the Pastoral Relations Committee and the Search Committee talking about these things.

The church had come to a mutually unhappy parting of the ways with their previous, part-time called pastor. They were in the midst of a restorative interim pastorate and the Search Committee was hard at work receiving profiles. But the work was hard and the profiles were few. And so, the Interim Pastor, Wayne Gustafson, invited me to meet with them to talk over some options and to bolster some sagging morale.

Among other things, we talked about their glory days. They spoke of two pastorates that spanned the years from the late sixties to the early eighties. Of course, they mentioned the usual things that church people do in reminiscing: large Sunday School, many full pews during Sunday worship, choirs for both children and adults, and a youth group.

Surprisingly, however, what excited them the most was when they recalled the ways in which the two pastors during this time developed ministries to the community, spoke out for and organized efforts for justice and social change, while also caring for them personally as people! With two exceptions (Wayne and me!) all of the people around the table were older that 65! And so, I was surprised.

Indeed! My surprise continued as they decided that they wouldn't settle for past glory days. They wanted to see whether God still might have some new life and mission for them. Apparently, God did.

A young man in his early 20's literally knocked on the door of the church. He had been working in a nearby independant Congregational Church and had heard of the opening in Newark Valley. They put David Heckman in touch with me. Quickly, I learned that what David lacked in experience in the UCC and educational preparation, he more than made up for in energy, vision, an entrepenurial leadership style and love of the UCC's stands on justice and inclusion.

With the Susquehanna Association Committee on Authorized Ministry and the church we worked out a "Teaching Church Covenant" whereby David could serve the church in close cooperation with the association. Mentors were assigned to help David in learning to be a pastor and in his formal preparation for ministry. Meanwhile, the church took on the calling of a congregation willing to prepare a new generation of pastoral leaders for God's Church.

Over the last three years of this Teaching Church Covenant, much has happened in Newark Valley. The church bought into the God is Still Speaking Campaign and began advertising heavily. As a result worship attendance has increased from an average of 20 to an average of 55. They've brought on new staff to work with the Sunday school. At this past annual meeting the congregation voted to become Open and Affirming.

These years have not been without challenges. Not everyone was happy with the direction that the congregation was taking. But, most were happy. And there are some financial challenges. But the congregation and the conference are seeking to address these. In any case there just may be some more "Glory Days" on the horizon for the United Church of Christ congregation in Newark Valley!

I was thinking about these things on Friday during the meeting of the New York Conference Executive Council at the Conference Office in Syracuse. We had just been going through a bit of discussion that had become somewhat "testy". These moments are rare these days. And, in this case they were short lived.

But, in the midst of the rancor I remembered a decade ago when anger, fear and quick argumentation were the norm at Executive Council meetings. Across New York there was unhappiness with the Conference staff, mistrust of the Executive Council, worry over decreasing gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission. There was much debate over the future of the Conference: should we divide into three Conferences, how should we staff our work, who were we to be and what vision were we to live out.

I remembered serving as a member and then chairperson of the Executive Council. Our major goal was to restore the trust of our member congregations and associations. I remembered the "heady days" of that time.

My friend and predecessor as Executive Council Chairperson, Clare Price, and I have shared the thought that our present Conference configuration of mission, program and staffing seems rather quiet. It's not that we wish for those former days. Rather we hope that the seeming present contentment and growing satisfaction and support across the Conference with the ways in which we are trying to strengthen the mission and ministry of our local churches are never taken for granted. Still, I must admit that there is a part of me that knows how alive I felt during those years.

My colleague on the Conference Staff, Marian Shearer, and I have been teaching a course in UCC Polity. As we talk about the United Church of Christ in these classes I am always reminded of the vision that so grabbed me as a teenager of the the Church that was "united and uniting". It was a time of great ideals, or so it seemed to me. "Not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country." The fight for Civil Rights, the call to give peace a chance, and the dream of a generation changing the world. Yes, I was very proud of my church that sought to be united and uniting.

I've had occasions to wonder whether we've lost something by replacing this founding vision. Over the years we've become a Just Peace, Open and Affirming, Multi Racial Multi Cultural, Accessible to All Church. We've declared that God is Still Speaking and that "No Matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcomed here." We've said that we're a churc of radical welcome.

There are some who say that by all of these latter day identities we've become divisive. It's true when we united 51 years ago, we stressed that which united us. It's also true that as we've stressed these other themes, we've made stands and made overtures and voted on resolutions that have divided.

Yet, I think all these identities are of a part. In my mind the work of unity requires dealing with the ministry of reconciliation about which Paul spoke in 2 Corinthians (5:16-21). Reconciliation is not easy. To reconcile the world to God's self, God's son needed to die on the cross. For us to carry on this ministry we need to be aware that it's not easy to bring peace to those that have been separated by enmity, or justice to those that have been marginalized or oppressed. Faithfulness, responding to God's call is a daily calling of both challenge and hope.

I'm glad I didn't peak in high school. I've always been a "late bloomer". I don't know if I've peaked yet. I do know that I've been blessed with many periods in my life that could be defined as "Glory Days." I've never wanted to re-live any part of my life. But, I've always felt that my real "Glory Days" are yet to come. And, I hope you do, too.

Blessings,

Rick Cowles

Drawing the Line

In his book Acts of Faith Interfaith Youth Core founder, Eboo Patel, quoted African American Scholar W.E.B. Dubois as he stated, "The problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line." Patel went on to assert that the problem of the 21st century is the problem of the "faith line."

The two "lines" are related, of course. As an Amercian of Indian descent, and therefore a person of color, Eboo learned about the difference in the levels of privilege enjoyed by some racial, ethnic and gender groups compared to others. As a Muslim in a predominantly Chrisian culture, he knew the difficulties of remaining faithful to his religious traditions in a foreign religious landscape.

Eboo Patel visited Syracuse a couple of weeks ago to deliver a lecture at Syracuse University, lead seminars with college and high school aged youth, and meet with community leaders that were specifically concerned with an interfaith approach to dealing with youth and young adults. It was a wonderful series of events. He is a very impressive leader and individual. Here is the link to the Inter Faith Youth Core. http://www.ifyc.org/

At the community leader's meeting (at which both Geoffrey Black and I were present), Eboo shared an interesting anecdote to describe the generation gap when it comes to interfaith understanding. He pointed out that across the United States the population of Muslims is about equivalent to that of Episcopalians (about 4 million). He has observed, however, that when he talks to people older than 40 very few of them know any Muslims, but most of them know some Episcopalians. On the other hand when he talks to youth and young adults about the same issue, almost none of them know any Episcopalians, but nearly all of them know at least one Muslim.

One of the major points that he makes throughout his presentations is to distinguish between the notion of diversity and pluralism. We are a diverse nation. Indeed, the entire world has people that have come to live here. Our national motto is taken from the Latin phrase "e pluribus unum", (out of the many, one.)

But how can we be both many and one at the same time? The "melting pot" is one theory that became the norm of analysis of the nature of our democracy. That is, people coming from around the world were all thrown into the same pot until the brew was stirred into one aromatic blend of different ingredients. Everyone would sign onto the same national values, speak the same language, live out the same traditions. This, in my words (not Eboo's) would be a monolithic diversity.

To the contrary he is working to promote a pluralistic diversity. Pluralism is the theory whereby differences are acknowledged, respected and embraced for the benefit of creating a unified whole of very different parts.

And so, Muslim Americans are different than white Protestant Christian Americans. We worship differently. We have some specific and different traditions. Yet we are all Americans. We care about "liberty and justice for all". We vote for our elected leaders, care about the education of our children, the health and welfare of all citizens, etc. But we do so from our own faith and cultural perspectives.

Beth Broadway, Director of the Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism program of InterFaith Works of Central New York, spoke of a dialogue group that she ran in the north side of Syracuse.

The "north side" has traditionally been an international gateway neighborhood for people emigrating from other countries. A century ago the neighborhood became home to large numbers of Italians and Germans. Friedens UCC is located in this area and was founded in the early part of the 20th century. Now the community has been transformed into a place where Asians, Africans and Central Americans share the same neighborhoods. And so, there is tension. Beth was asked by community leaders to address ways to work through the tension and the fear that threatened immanent violence.

She described a dialogue group made up of Italians and east Asian people. She said that many of the Italians become loud and demonstrative in their discussion of how they experienced their life in this changing neighborhood. The east Asians were demure and deflected their eyes from looking directly at the European neighbors.

In other words Beth observed they were acting in ways normal to their own cultures but obnoxious to each other's traditions. The Italians were trying to reach out to and embrace the Asians only to be met with what they considered as disrespect. "They won't even look us in the eye when we speak to them!" Asians felt that the Italians were too loud and aggressive and angry. "Didn't they know that out of respect you don't look one another in the eye?" Therefore, there was much to talk out in order for these groups to live together and work out the issues that everyone was confronting.

The north side is also know as "Little Italy". There is a community organization that puts on an annual festival. Part of the festival is to name a "Miss Little Italy". Shortly after this dialogue Beth received a call from a leader of the Little Italy community organization. "Miss Little Italy, this year, is Vietnamese," the man reported, "can we have a Miss Little Italy that isn't Italian?" After talking together, the man admitted that in this changing neighborhood of increasingly diverse people, maybe Miss Little Italy didn't have to be Italian. Viva le Pluralisme!

Another plea for pluralism has come from John Thomas and Michael Kinnamon, speaking for the national setting of the United Church Christ and the National Council of Churches, respectively. On April 3, these two national leaders held a press conference with Otis Moss III, pastor of Trinity UCC, Chicago, in which they called for a national "Preach-In" on the issue of Race in America on May 18. Resource materials will be distributed soon. In the meantime here is the link to the video announcement of the Preach-In.


Here is the link to the online article from UCNews on the UCC website. http://www.ucc.org/news/ucc-ncc-calls-for-nationwide.html.

Color line or faith line, there are barriers that separate us unequally and unhealthily. There are those who wonder whether talking will do any good. On the other hand not talking hasn't worked either. In the Community Wide Dialogue circle in which I took part even though I knew about and accepted the reality of the white, male privelege that I enjoy, there was much that I could learn in listening to the perspectives, the continuing hurt, as well as the persistent hope of those that live without the priveleges that I take for granted. This wasn't white liberal guilt that I was feeling. But it was a dose of reality that I could look at in order to help change.

I think Paul has such matters in mind when wrote to the Romans (12:9-21).

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Blessings

Rick Cowles

Carpe Momentum

Forgive me Miss Dean, wherever you are, for my convoluted Latin. Is "momentum" even a Latin word? Sportscasters use it all the time. Maybe you Latin scholars out there can enlighten me. Miss Dean was my Latin teacher in 10th grade. (She was also a good member of the South Congregational Church in my hometown of Springfield, MA.) I wasn't very good at Latin. I failed in the first marking period. Through much patient tutoring after school (along with private tutoring by a family acquaintance on Saturdays) and by the grace of Miss Dean I passed with a C.

But I didn't want to talk about these things. Rather, the thought of seizing the moment (thus, "Carpe Momentum") came to mind with regard to the UCC full page add in the New York Times this week. John Thomas, UCC General Minister and President, sought to assuage the potential concerns over the high price of the add by stating,

"I want to reiterate that spending $200,000 on two full-page ads is a lot of money. However, people are looking at the UCC in ways and numbers that we have never before experienced. As we discern the voice of the still speaking God, it's important that we not be defined in narrow and distorted ways, but that we proclaim a message of justice and reconciliation."

In other words (or more to the point, in my own words) we have to seize the moment provided to us by the negative media coverage of Jeremiah Wright, Trinity UCC, Sen. Barak Obama, and by association, the United Church of Christ.

Apparently, John Thomas' concerns were justified. The UCC Blog posted and article about the ad as well as the number of comments from readers across the country. One commenter thought that the ad and the plans to address the issue of Race and Religion are politically motived and a violation of IRS rules. Many questioned the expense saying that the money could have been used for OCWM or to support churches in crisis. Other comments questioned the truth of the claims made in the ad. Others questioned the motives of John Thomas in some rather lurid and personal ways. Here's the link to the article on the UCC Blog: http://www.ucc.org/news/full-page-ucc-ad-appears-in-th.html.

As I read through these comments I couldn't help thinking of when the woman (probably Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus) anointed Jesus with the costly ointment. Some among Jesus' party questioned the expense. It could have been used for the poor. Jesus responded by saying that we always have the poor with us and we can do for them as we can, but we wouldn't always have him.

And so, I was wondering why can't we do both? Why can't we do more for others while also celebrating who we are (or at least who we try to be)? Indeed we need to do both. There is a continuing need to address such pervasive issues as race and poverty in America.

There are other issues, too. Responding to the continuing effects of natural disasters in the Gulf of New Mexico basin, the war against terrorism, the battle to support the victims of ethnic strife in the Sudan (Darfur) and other places. So many issues to confront. And, race and poverty are among them. Whether or not you would consider voting for Barak Obama, he was right in his speech in Philadelphia about this. We need to have an adult discussion about all of these issues. And, we also have the issue of the role of the Church in speaking to these issues in the civic arena.

In fact the discussions of race, religion and our culture are going on. The Metro Association has just posted an invitation to participate in a dialogue on race and religion on April 16, at the Congregational Church in Manhasset at 7:00 PM. Here is the link to the news release. http://uccmetrosuffolk.org/news/calendar.htm#dialogue.

Metro has also published a Resource on the discussion of Race and Religion. Here is the link to this resource. http://uccmetrosuffolk.org/justice/justice-resources.htm.

In Syracuse through InterFaith Works of Central New York there is an ongoing program that addresses this issue: Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism (CWD). I have written about my experiences in a CWD dialogue group before. Since then, I've become a member of the CWD Board. CWD has focused on reaching out to the business community and to youth in the public school systems of the region. Here is the link for more information on CWD. http://www.interfaithworkscny.org/programs/cwd/.

However, there is more that we can do in engaging churches on this issue. Hopefully, we can begin to develop some dialogue in and among our congregations. At our UCCNY staff meeting this week, we decided to make this issue and strategizing to enlarge the discussion of it a major emphasis in our planning over the next several months. And so, there's always more to do. Yes, indeed!

I've been reading Jim Wallis' book The Great Awakening in which he talks about the issues that the Church needs to address in order to be faithful to the call of Christ. Throughout the book Wallis comments that whatever we do as the Church or as individual Christians, if we want to preach the Gospel, we need to assess whether or not we are ministering to the poor. In a section in which he talks about the need to for a renewed commitment to overcoming poverty (pp. 132-133) he writes:

"If we are to take seriously the opening sermon of Jesus at Nazareth recorded in Luke 4, his 'mission statement' in which he proclaims that 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor,' there can be only one conclusion: no matter what else the gospel does in our lives, if our gospel message is not 'good news to the poor,' it is simply not the gospel of Jesus Christ."

If his view is God's eyes also, then I fall far short of the mark. Still, there is much more that I can do, too, and God is still gracious and very patient. Last night at the Oneida Association Global Church Committee meeting we were talking about what we could do as a committee in helping our Association's churches become more involved in meeting human needs. Jeni O'Neill, a member of the committee from UCC Bayberry, said that she had been reading alot about the program, "Tents of Hope: a journey of compassion and peace with the refugees of Darfur, Sudan".

As she began describing the program to us, we became excited, too. This is something we can do. And so, we're going to do it. And, we'd love to have your help and participation. I'm including the video describing the program.

Here's the link to the Tents of Hope webpage. http://www.tentsofhope.org/

Here's the link to a more detailed description of how to organize the program. http://www.tentsofhope.org/tent2tent_info.pdf

Seize the moment. However we do it -- whether through finding out about, celebrating who we are as a people of God or through doing what God calls us to do -- it's all to the good. Or, at least with God's help it can be.

Blessings,

Rick Cowles