In a recent email from one of our "commuting" pastors the effects of mushrooming gas prices on the performance of ministry became readily apparent. He works full time in the church that he serves and lives in the parsonage for 5 days each week. The other two days he commutes back to his home to spend two days with his family. Now, if this weren't enough of a strain on his family life (and his own health!), the thought of gas topping $4.00 per gallon was going to prove to be a "deal breaker" in the continuation of that pastoral arrangement. He was letting me know that he was ready to move closer to home.
The price of gas is not going down. So say all the pundits that I've heard speak on the subject. Even at $4.00 per gallon we still pay half of what Europeans pay (and they have working, dependable and utilized public transit systems!). The world wide demand will continue to keep prices high. That's the way economics works, so "they" say. This all means that we must look for new ways to cope with the situation with which we are faced.
Some view the high price of gas as an opportunity. Ecologists promote alternate modes of energy. "Green" is the operative word here. A new Aldi's (discount groceries) store in East Syracuse has been built "green". There's more demand for hybrid cars. Newspapers report plans for "wind" farms and ethanol plants on an increasing basis. Trucking companies plan computerized routes for their drivers that include making as many right hand turns as possible, finding gas stations with the cheapest prices and directions for cruising at reduced speeds in order to promote greater engine efficiency.
I think of these things as I tool down the highway (usually late for my meetings). I say to myself, "If I weren't running late, I would slow down and save money on gas and reduce my carbon 'footprint'." But I don't, I'm sorry to say. Susan tells me that I need to discipline myself in order to give more time to getting to meetings. She says that I wouldn't be in such a rush and forget half of what I intended to take to my meetings. I wouldn't drive so fast. And she wouldn't worry about me so much. (It's good to have spouses, partners and loved one to point out ways for self improvement! It's even better when they're right.)
I was telling Geoffrey Black the other day that my on-the-job mileage has been significantly reduced since Marian and I redistributed our responsibilities within the Upstate Region of the Conference. The two associations that I cover are more compact in the distances between churches. (This, eventhough Oneida and Susquehanna are larger geographically than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined!) I've also been doing more online (blogs, email and a website).
Church newsletters increasingly are talking about energy conservation: disciplining the thermostats, changing the lights to LED bulbs, upgrading the boilers, using china and ceramics instead of styrofoam and paper, and turning off the computers when not in use.
In a twist of fate (and thinking) there are also those that have found opportunities from the effects of global warming. Those of an entrepenuerial bent have recognized that with the melting of the ice cap at the north pole, suddenly the rich oil reserves that heretofore had been covered by glaciers are now accessible. This means that we may not have to open the nature reserves in Alaska to drilling, although we'll probably still do that. This also means that we'll compound the recklessness that caused global warming in the first place and speed up the end of life as we know it. (Thank goodness we're trying to learn whether or not life is sustainable on Mars!)
This is all to say that the price of gas -- what it represents and the ecological, economic, political, military and ethical effects that it produces -- also effects the ministry that we seek to perform. It effects the people in our pews and the money in the offering plates.
These are the realities we face. So, how do we do ministry? And, what is the ministry that we are to perform? The answers are universal and timeless. We witness to the love of God for the worlds that God created and all the creatures therein as we can, whenever we can, to whom and howsoever we can. Sometimes it will mean advocacy for just laws and policies. Always it will mean changing our personal behaviors. I'm driving less. Now I must commit myself to driving more responsibly. I working on remembering to turn off my computers (and printers, etc.) when I'm not using them. We're gradually changing the light bulbs in our house. Advocacy has not been a gift of mine, but I am beginning to write more often about such things.
We do need to do ministry differently. My "commuting pastor" friend will probably need to make a change. Our churches will need to become more ecologically friendly (it's an economic move as well as an ethical one). And, there are still people to serve. There are those that will lose jobs or earn less money in the jobs that they have because of the economic stress of global warming, it's effects and the attempts to reverse it. There are those that are losing their lives in cyclones, earthquakes, wildfires and floods. Their survivors need our help.
And always we need to remember the faithfullness of our God who has placed us as caretakers for the world that God has created."The earth is God's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for God has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of God? And who shall stand in God's holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from God, and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek God, who seek the face of the God of Jacob." (Ps. 24:1-6, NRSV-NCH)
Blessings,
Rick Cowles
The New York Conference UCC
Friday, May 30, 2008
The Price of Gas
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Trinity plus One
Trinity Sunday 2008, a call to begin a "Sacred Conversation on Race", some did, some didn't, some plan to begin sometime soon. But what difference did it make?
I heard from one clergy friend from New Jersey that his church (Christ Congregation, Princeton) held a "Conversation" last Sunday. Jeff wrote, "The sacred conversation went well last Sunday. We used some of the UCC resources for the call to worship and unison prayer. We had three speakers -- each spoke from a particular perspective (Black, Native American and WASP). We continued discussion in our adult education hour that followed coffee hour."
Plymouth Church, Syracuse conducted a Sunday morning Conversation during worship and afterward during their weekly adult forum time. In addition pastor Craig Schaub coordinated a community ecumenical dialogue on Monday night at the church. We had a panel discussion with Suzette Melendez, a Latina lawyer from the Syracuse University Law Clinic and a member of Plymouth; two African American pastors from other denominations, Collette Matthews and Kevin Agee; Beth Broadway, the director of the Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism program (white female) and UCCNY Conference Minister Geoffrey Black and I as co-facilitators. We also had small group discussions.
Such attempts at dialogue are important. It became clear to me that even if we have such a discussion in our own churches, there is also a need to have them between churches. A potential outcome that I personally hope to pursue is to encourage church to church dialogues that engage congregations from different ethnic and racial cultures and theologies. We'll see.
I am also aware that the "isms" that confront us and continually threaten to undo us transcend racism. If this current Presidential campaign didn't foster a debate on race, there would be one (and should be!) on gender. And, we could go on to talk about our feelings regarding Muslims, the poor, etc., etc.
So, what difference did a Sacred Conversation make? Maybe none. Maybe quite alot. It all depends on what we give to it and what we will take from it. Conversation -- respectful and honest -- is important. We don't do enough of it. We go to worship, spend some time at the coffee hour munching our goodies and passing time. But little by the way of meaningful conversation usually happens. We don't come to know each other. We don't talk about how our faith might address our anxieties and fears over high gas prices, war around the world, natural disasters, college tuitions, mortgages, kids, parents. Conversation is important.
The IRS has vindicated the UCC in its investigation of potential violations to the tax code regarding non-profit organizations! Here is the link to the article from the UCC website: http://www.ucc.org/news/concluding-its-ucc-inquiry-irs-offers-complete-vindication.html.
News of the natural disasaters in Myanmar and the Peoples Republic of China are heartbreaking. Hundreds of thousands of people are either known dead or missing (and presumed dead). The Common Global Ministries website shared the lyrics and recording of a song written in the aftermath of the earthquake in China. Here is the link to the article, song lyrics and recording by actor Jackie Chan: http://www.globalministries.org/news/eap/song-after-the-earthquake-in.html.
This is the first year that I've experienced without my parents to call or visit on Memorial Day. My parents always delivered flowers to the graves of family members, especially my mother's parents and sister (and her family) in Plymouth, Massachusetts on this weekend. My wife, Susan, asked if I had thought about going to visit my parents' graves in Springfield. I admit that I had thought about it, though knew I couldn't.
As it happens, Providence (I do believe) would have it that I received a very important gift from my parents on Friday. No, it wasn't money or furniture or a photograph. I received a letter from a lawyer for the United Church Foundation saying that since my parents had both died, the money that they had invested for mission in the Foundation could now be distributed, and that it was my job to name the beneficiaries. So, I get to give money away.
It's the best memory of them (and it fills me with great pride): their great concern for missions, foreign and domestic. This passion is one of their greatest legacies to both my sister and me. So, where will I give the money, you may be asking? Well, after visiting a school for blind children in Ahmednagar, India in 1979, they carried on an extended relationship with Arvind and Sudhaseni Kasote, the directors of the school. So, the Comprehensive Rural Development Project will receive a large portion of the money that goes to foreign missions. Mom and Dad were also very involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield.
So, I guess, the message of this posting is to remember to talk with and listen (!) to each other; and act upon the love and passion of God for the people whom God loves. This will be enough for us to do, I think,on this Trinity Sunday plus one (actually Pentecost 2!).
Blessings,
Rick Cowles
Monday, May 19, 2008
When Righteousness and Peace will Kiss
The headlines scream out for justice, for security, for peace, for sanity.
- Anti Immigration Violence in Johannesburg
- Myanmar Agrees to Allow Aid Efforts by Neighbors
- Lebanon Talks Hit Snage Over Power-Sharing Plan
- Hopes Fading in Search for Quake Survivors in China
- Landslides Kill 158 Relief Workers in China
- Thousands of Darfuris 'Desperate'
- Pirates Seize Jordanian Ship Carrying Aid to Somalia
- U.S. General Apologizes for Desecration of Koran
Well, I remain optimistic. Even in my most cynical moments, I continue to hope in God (Ps. 42:11). And I look for the time when "Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; [and] righteousness and peace will kiss each other." (Ps. 85:10) And, I rejoice whenever I see signs of this blessed embrace happening.
Indeed, I believe that righteousness and peace can meet when we can sit down and talk with each other with openness and respect. Despite the national political debate over whether and under what circumstances we ought to talk with our enemies about our differences, I believe that God calls us to do this. As God spoke through the prophet Isaiah (1:18), "Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord:though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow;though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."
UCC General Minister and President John Thomas' invitation to the member congregations of the United Church of Christ to enter into a Sacred Conversation on Race began yesterday, Trinity Sunday. I'm sure that many congregations responded. Others have decided to enter into this conversation at a later date. The national setting of the UCC has offered resources for the conversation. I offered the link to these in my last posting of UCCNY Crossroads.
- Here it is again for those who might have missed it. http://www.ucc.org/sacred-conversation/
- Last Friday the national setting of the UCC released a helpful resource organizing the "Sacred Conversation". Here's the links: http://www.ucc.org/sacred-conversation/pdfs/jaramilloltr.pdf and http://www.ucc.org/sacred-conversation/pdfs/steps.pdf
In the Syracuse area I know that our congregations are involved in this essential work of ministry.
Plymouth Church planned a conversation during and after worship yesterday. In addition the church is hosting a Community Ecumenical Sacred Conversation on Race this evening, Monday May 19 beginning at 7:00. Leaders from area churches, the Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism program of InterFaith Works of Central NY, the Syracuse University Law Clinic and the New York Conference will participate in a panel discussion and help facilitate small group discussions.
I also believe that righteousness and peace can meet when we become aware. It's too often that I allow my heart, my compassion to disengage when I read the morning headlines. I know this is a defense. If I stay unconscious to injustice, violence and misery, my life is so much simpler. I can read my emails, write my sermons, take out the trash, go to my meetings, read my favorite historical novels and feel content. Do you know what I mean?
The Oneida Association Committee on the Global Church was wondering what it could do to help strengthen the mission of the local churches in the association. We viewed some videos produced by Common Global Ministries. We discussed various ministries of the NY Conference Commission on the Global Church.
Nothing was grabing us. Then, Jenni O'Neill, one of the Committee members, said that she had been reading on the Common Global Ministries website about this effort to raise awareness and funds in support of the refugees of the genocide in Darfur. Suddenly, we became aware of a way in which we could engage in offering support to people with a very real and great need.
And so, the committee enthusiastically decided to become part of Tents of Hope (http://www.tentsofhope.org/). With the support of the Oneida Association Council the committee is planning an association wide Oneida Mission Rally on Saturday, September 13, at Fairmount Community Church. We look forward to this event, especially to the involvement of the Syracuse area Sudanese community that has offered to help with the planning.
The New York Conference Commission on the Global Church is also asking mission-minded people from our congregations to help with some hands-on mission. In cooperation with Church World Service we put out the plea for Disaster Response Emergency Clean-up Buckets. Here is the link describing the how to fill the bucket.
http://www.flowingstreams.org/Churches/Mission/Emergency%20Cleanup%20Buckets0001.pdf
Bring your buckets to the Conference Annual Meeting at Silver Bay, June 6-8, and we'll make certain they get to Church World Service.
I'm a rather sentimental guy. I tend to remember significant dates (at least significant to me!). Tomorrow (May 20) marks the 35th anniversary of my ordination. There are many who have attained this length of ministry before me. Unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer of those who are now serving as ordained ministers that will reach it in the future. People have tended to become ordained later in life than I.
As I think back over the years I particularly remember my 20th anniversary of ordination. It put me in a grand funk. During an Alban Institute course in assimilating new members I came face to face with my own sense of burnout and with the notion that not much was accomplished in the first half of the expected span of my ministry. It was a good thing that I took a NY/Help trip to Honduras at that time. Working among some of the poorest people in the Western Hemisphere and finding in them a quiet dignity helped me to put my life into perspective.
When I came back, whether because of my own commitment to change or because ministry opportunities opened up or a combination of both, things did change. Mostly what changed in me was a greater openness to seeing that which needed doing and the determination to actually doing something.
I think that I've come to such a place again where some new avenues of service and faith are opening up. I'm grateful for my new involvement in the Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism, a program of InterFaith Works of Central New York. I participated in a Dialogue Circle in the fall of last year and am now serving on the CWD Board. Most recently, I signed up to help facillitate a 3rd grade exchange dialogue program between two elementary schools in greater Syracuse later in June.
This is all to say that I know from my own experience that as we desire to do ministry, and as we open ourselves up to doing it, the opportunities readily present themselves. These may be small things. I don't presume to think that my little efforts among some third graders will change the course of race relations in the world or even in Syracuse. On the other hand one of those third graders, or two or three, may change, may come to see relationships between races differently.
Regardless, whether great or small, our efforts to work for the reconciliation of humans with each other and with creation are signs, I believe, of that great time when righteousness and peace will definitely kiss.
Blessings,
Rick Cowles
Sunday, May 11, 2008
"Something Old, Something New"
I guess marriage is on my mind. It is true that tomorrow is Susan's and my 29th Wedding Anniversary. But that's not exactly why I've been thinking of these things. I actually began thinking of marriage in the context of Mother's Day.
In 1980 during a "caligraphy phase" of my life I made a geneologically styled certificate for my parents in honor of their 40th anniversary with my parents names and wedding date in the center, flanked above and beneath by the names and wedding dates of my grandparents and of my sister and I. My parents displayed this framed certificate on a wall in their home until it came back to me upon the death of my father last November (my mother predeceased him in 2004).
We have a good many things from my parents' household, new to us but much of which is old to our family. My grandfather's grandfather clock now sits in our entry way. Some of my favorite articles are the exquisitely carved wooden figurines that my father brought back from Shanghai when he served on a USS Destroyer in World War II. There are paintings and winged-backed chairs. With my parents' deaths I have no family "home" to visit anymore, but it's like my home, my whole life, has come back to me. It's an odd feeling.
When my mother died, some well meaning friends asked me how I felt now that I was an orphan. I also heard this question again after my father died.
I must admit that inwardly I took great umbrage at being called an orphan. To begin with, it didn't help. It wasn't comforting. It didn't lead me to own my grief or to find any sense of peace. Besides it's just wrong.
I was 55 when my mother died and nearly 59 when my father passed away. I wasn't an orphan. I was given the blessings of loving parents covering a span of nearly 6 decades. No, the parentless children in the townships of South Africa and the refugee camps in Chad are orphans. Orphans are those whose parents have been swept away by cyclones in Myanmar and by rockets and suicide bombers in Iraq.
As you can see, my thoughts about marriage, about family, about gain and loss are complete with much emotion. How not! Our life experiences within the context of our families form the heart of our perceptions of the world, how we feel about ourselves, how we learn to trust others, how we relate in social settings and when we're by ourselves. I dare say that I am no different than you in this respect.
We have been watching the new series on "Masterpiece Classics" on PBS, entitled, "Cranford". In the story Cranford is a countryside English village at the advent of the modern urban age in the 1830's. Things are changing. Society is changing. There are new social norms that unsettle the old ways.
A new doctor just out of medical school has brought some new methods quite upsetting to the older physician in town.
The dowager Lady of the village is forced to confront the issue of the rising lower classes and the unfolding ethics and strains on traditional forms of justice.
And, in almost every household visited relationships are under strain. The well respected but rather domineering older sister dies in one home, leaving the remaining sister bereft. Their maid wonders whether it is proper for her to have a "follower". The new doctor falls in love with the rector's daughter while turning a blind eye to the attraction of two other village women for him.
All right, I'm an unabashed Anglophile! Still, to twist the title of one of the books of the late historian, Barbara Tuchman, it provides a not too "Distant Mirror" to our time. There is much discomfort, disillusionment and confusion over much of what is going on today.
I've been meeting with one of our country churches that is in transition. Their longtime pastor is retiring. They are offering a salary that will accommodate a stated supply kind of preacher. I've asked different potential candidates (lay persons that have provided such work as "licensed" preachers, newly retired pastors, etc.). No one is available.
I suggested sharing a pastor with another church in the area. I even had one that is interested. When I offered the search committee this possibility, they said that they didn't want to have anything to do with that church or anyone who was associated with that church. Why, you ask? this other church is ONA (Open and Affirming). And, the first country church didn't like the possibility of having opening gay/lesbian persons in the pulpit or other leadership positions. On the other hand I've learned that at least one of their members has been worshipping in this other ONA congregation recently.
So, there is much confusion that turns to anger over what is happening in society and even in our churches. I dare say that my parents and grandparents would also be aghast at what we talk about in our churches these days. To even discuss the rights, the dignity, the blessings-of-God-as-children-of-God of homosexual persons would be surprising to them.
We've been learning that we're still not particularly comfortable in talking about the rights, dignity and the blessings-of-God-as-the-children-of-God of African Americans. We wonder about the need for a Sacred Conversation on Race. "Haven't we settled that?" We say.Well, no, we haven't.
I was reminded by an African American colleague as we were planning just such a sacred conversation in Syracuse that we look at things differently. African Americans have much different experiences than I do of relationships with the police, of whether or not they're offered a table at a restaurant, of whether there are essential public services in their neighborhoods, of the availability of quality education, etc., etc.
There's so much to think about, so much to do. Things are changing. That which is old can comfort, can form the basis for what we do now. But, as the hymn says, "new occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth."
Check out the resources for the Sacred Conversation on Race. http://www.ucc.org/sacred-conversation/
Learn more about what Our Common Global Ministries is doing to help the victims of the cyclone in Myanmar, and how you can respond. http://www.globalministries.org/news/sasia/myanmar-struck-by-tropical-cyc.html
Blessings,
Rick Cowles
Monday, May 5, 2008
"Being There"
In his next to last film appearance in "Being There" Peter Sellers played a simple-minded gardener named, Chance. Chance lived a rather isolated life until his rich benefactor died and he was thrust out into the world. A "chance" encounter with another rich couple thrust our gardner onto the national political stage. Now called Chauncey Gardner, he is sought after for advice. It matters little that all he knows and quotes comes from television, his demeanor and delivery of these snippets of knowledge come across as profundity.
Though I only saw this movie once when it first came out in 1979, memories of it come back every now and then. Last week, for instance, I thought of Chauncey when a pastor approached me and asked for a few minutes of time.
I usually have two conflicting feelings at such occasions. I am honored that someone might think that I have something of value to offer. And, I develop this little pinch in my gut from my own anxiety that I have very little of value to offer.
With the admission of this internal conflict in mind you may understand how anxious I became when the pastor introduced her dilemma with the words, "I need someone with a 'non-anxious presence' to provide me with some feedback."
Of course, I told myself that I didn't show this anxiety. As a professional conference staff person with many years of experience in ministry, I have learned to set aside my own feelings as I project a compassionate and understanding pastoral demeanor. Not only this but I've gone for specific training in group conflict mediation and have been taught how to be non anxious, how to differentiate my own feelings from those being expressed by the others in the room.
Perhaps you have imagined the tongue-in-my-cheek as I've written about these things. Those who know me may chuckle over the assertion that I can set my own feelings aside. If my tone of voice doesn't betray my emotions, the color of my cheeks does.
Still, every once in awhile I am able to slip into the mode and truly feel and project a non-anxious presence. Being "in the moment" is crucial. That is, the ability to listen to the other, respond to the other with out needing to interject easy solutions or offer unwanted or needed advice, is paramount to being there for the other person. Indeed, when we "are there" for others, we become freed the need to speak out of our own insecurities or offering advice out of our own need to help.
I remember a visit I made in my first year of ministry to a grieving family. I was terrified as I drove over to the house. What would I say to this family? How could I possibly minister to them? What words could I say that could offer healing and hope? I learned that night that there are no words. There is only the healing that comes from being there. And, being there is enough.
Non-anxious presence is a key to ministry in a world that not only is full of anxiety, but which relies upon and exploits it for its own sake. A ministry based upon non-anxious presence witnesses to and embodies the peace that Jesus proclaimed.
Our Common Global Ministries has based its work on our behalf on a related commitment to 'being there': critical presence. What does this mean? From the Global Ministries website comes this answer.
This is a much different approach than in previous generations of mission understandings. We now take the idea of partnership with our sister churches in other countries very seriously. No longer do we dictate what we will do with our partner churches. Rather, we enter into dialogue regarding our mutual needs in sharing the good news of God's love for all people.Global Ministries is committed to a ministry of Critical Presence where we
meet God's people and creation at the point of deepest need: spiritually,
physically, emotionally, and/or economically. But what does it mean?
Critical Presence Critical means Vital, Essential, Crucial... that which is MOST important. Presence is Companionship, Alliance... being there... in partnership.To be critically present, in vital alliances and essential companionship... is to
be in partnerships at the point of deepest need - all types of need - spiritual
needs, physical needs, emotional needs, and economic needs where we meet God's
people and God's creation.
Critical presence can be controversial.
Sometimes it means advocating for justice for the citizens where our partner churches are located, like Scott Couper advocating for the victims of HIV/AIDS in South Africa.
Sometimes the simple fact that our missionaries are present is controversial and dangerous, like it has been for Phyllis Byrd in Kenya.
Sometimes it can lead to misunderstanding among people in our own pews. Many think that our mission money should go toward evangelizing new Christians only. The fact that our ministries overseas normally goes to lift up the health, educational and economic economic conditions of those with whom we work is upsetting to some.
Being there for others is very important in ministry. How we are there for others can be problematic. I dare say that most would agree that a non-anxious approach to being present with people is very appropriate. I would venture to add that the idea of being critically present is less universally accepted.
Where the preacher is universally loved probably little effective mission and ministry is happening. This happens when the preacher challenges no one to grow, or change. I once knew a pastor like this. He was great. He always had a smile. He was as happy on the golf course as he was serving the coffee after church. Everybody just loved him, but little ministry happened.
Rather it's more often the case that effective ministry happens when the pot is always stirred, at least a little. There is a trick to this. If we don't stir the pot, then what's brewing will boil over and then we have to clean up the mess. But if we learn to stir the pot at just the right moments, the broth cooks just right. The aroma of it fills the room and we are hungry for more. Such can be the case for soup as well as for churches.
When we allow our souls to be stirred by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our love increases, our hearts and minds open up to justice and kindness, we have more energy, we feel more generous, and we come to know the peace that is beyond understanding.
Blessings,
Rick Cowles
P.S. On another note over the weekend John Thomas, UCC General Minister and President, wrote a sober reflection of the most recent public appearances of Jeremiah Wright. Here is the link to his letter. http://www.ucc.org/news/thomas-speaks-to-broad-set-of.html
Journalist, Bill Moyers, has also written a thoughtful essay urging us to move beyond the immediate acceptance of simplistic answers to the controversy regarding Jeremiah Wright. Here is the link to his article. http://www.ucc.org/news/moyers-beware-the-terrible-s.html
In their own way each one urges a thoughtful dialogue on issues of race, and all that divides us. R
