Salt

Mideast Sites

I've been reading several blogs that are commenting on the Anglican Church's support for their Christian Arab bretheren. Usually, when this support and sympathy is expressed, the implicit reply is "well what about the Jewish victims?" We weep at those terrible times also - without asserting that innocent Palestinians are also responsible. So we continue to hear and tell stories about the victimization, humiliation and destruction of Palestinian lives.

I'm not sure if such a question is meant to justify Israeli aggressiveness [and it is aggressive - they will even admit to such] or merely undermine the universality implied by witnessing to Palestinian lives. Conservative bloggers, such as Midwest Contemptuous Journal, imply that when you weep at the death of one Palestinian, an innocent one, a child, you implicitly defend terrorism and fantasize about the eradication of Israel.

For the sake of promoting better understanding of the crisis:

Middle East Report - excellent and unbiased, with an invaluable primer.

Catcus 48 - comprehensive, well maintained, interesting and compassionate. Good links, including links to smaller Jewish and Muslim sites.

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs - non partisan and academic. The board consists primarily of "Arabists."

The Episcopal Peace and Justice Ministries

Haaretz is an Israeli Daily worth reading regularly.

Churches for a Middle East Peace - Ok website with a good page of links to original documents.

Bitterlemons, a site of Palestinians and Israelis working together [beautiful site, with compelling articles]

Of course, the answer is not to rehash history, but to promote projects where Israelis and Palestinians have to work together.

Running for Standing Committee

I'm in a "clericus" which is a group of clergy regionally organized. My neighbor is an evangelical and a traditionalist. He's in the next door suburb wealthier than mine. He called me today.

"John, I'm running for Standing Committee. I know I always leave these things to the last minute."

"Good for you, Harry. Starting to take an interest in the diocese?"

"Of course. Can you sign my nomination form?"

"Alright."

"I'll be right over, say twenty minutes."

We spoke a bit when he came over. We're on opposite sides of this issue, although he's been very helpful to me and I've covered for him a few times for his weekday services. "It's pretty quiet, although I did write a letter telling people where I stand. A few disagree, but no one's left."

"We're having the chaplain and I'm leading a discussion with one of my conservative parishioners later in the month. Anyone interested in discussing polity can have beers with me in Late October."

"Well, you know, I'm a traditionalist, but its important for suburbs and this diverse diocese to really be at the table. I want to be at the table which is why I'm running."

"I'll support you. My side's already represented," I joked.

He smiled. "I don't think I'll win, but if I don't try, I'll just be angry at myself. My daughter even asked me 'where have you been these last few years?' I don't think my views have been important, after all the bishop knew I was a conservative when I got here. Perhaps I came in under the radar. This diocese doesn't seem to have a problem.

"But I didn't exactly express my views in the little booklet, you know. I just said I was a suburban pastor who wanted to maintain ties with the Anglican communion."

He's a good pastor and has done a good job in his parish. He's even taken it upon himself to revitalize youth ministries in the entire county. God bless him.

Terrorists live freely in the US

Another example of how, when push comes to shove, domestic politics [and domestic power] will drive foreign policy.

Here is another famous terrorist.

Perhaps inadvertently, the State Department stops a famous muslim who had criticized violence perpetrated by Muslims. Um... this isn't a good way to demonstrate that the war on terrorism isn't a war on Islam. I mean, it looks a lot like we want to provoke a holy war.

conversations with the laity

So the other day a lay person from ritzy suburb asked me what I thought would happen because of Lambeth.

"Nothing serious. Some people's feelings might be hurt, but the practice of individual churches won't change. Diocesan offices in some dioceses might need to build international relationships differently."

"What do you think?"

"Well, I think our attitude towards sexuality has generally changed. I think we've simply allowed gay people to be gay in public. Of course, the fact that sexuality is expressed in public at all is one change."

"You know, I just don't care if the person's gay or not. It just isn't relevant to me. I don't understand the big deal. I mean, I don't care who's offering the sacrament...."

Bush's Speech at the UN

Bush avoids reality, from the Financial Times.

Clerical Advice

I often find that the better things are the more comfortable people are complaining. The danger is when people don't complain directly to you.

Plenty of people complain. They don't intend for you to solve their problems. They don't want to hear themselves talk. It is, actually, a form of prayer. If anything, you should complain with them.

And lets not forget that sometimes complaining is fun. For some. Granted it is not fun to listen to, but I suggest that you are paid to listen to complaints.

There are different sorts of complaints. There are the problems you do, actually have to solve. For example:

mistakes in the bulletin and
anything that has to do with money, like sending out accurate pledge reports.

With communications, [the web, newsletter, publicity] work to be accurate. If this is not your gift, find someone who can help you, or set up a system and checklist so that you can get the basics down.

But dont be afraid of complaining. It might just mean you're doing a good job.

Car Free Day

Today is Car Free Day. But Car free day really only makes sense when we have lots of other options to get us places.

Some other transportation initiatives.

There are even companies that make it possible to create your own car sharing company.

Here is an interesting organization that explores local technologies. For as technology is, democracy is.

Other news: Selig notes that most people vote based on character and "approachability" rather than issues or record. For this reason, people can vote for a mediocre student who had all the privileges, a questionable business record, and a disinterest in hard policy decisions [I mean, objectively, is this presidential timbre?] They like Bush because they can have a beer with him.

Although I shouldn't complain. About a week ago, one of the firemen in my congregation said, "you know, Father, I like you cuz I can have a beer with you."

Part of my outreach to men, I guess.

Paul Crouch

Big televangelist accused of homosexual activity. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, but as long as homosexuality distracts us from policy, it opens those who have benefitted from fearing it to blackmail or political suicide.

Vestry

Vestry met the other evening. Established a weeding and landscaping crew - we're trying to cut our budget. We also commissioned a landlord committee.

Two of the vestry members started comparing Gods. One said his God wasn't that muscular, compared to the Senior wardens.

We cut spending this year $40,000. Eventually we'll increase spending, but when we have a more definite vision.

Trying to reconfigure the blog a bit and discern its mission. More politics? Or church life? Or just articulating how ridiculous the controversy is.

Rehearsed the presentation of a friend for the priesthood at the cathedral today. Lots of good people - eight of them - all young, of various theological persuasions. Most, I'm sure, were a bit "liberal." But it demonstrates that liberal dioceses are also finding candidates who wish to serve.

Even the Episcopal Chaplaincy at NYU has 25 people, from nothing three years ago.

Terrorism

A few interesting articles floating around regarding terrorism. Remarkable how we easily excuse some terrorists and condemn others.

Cuban Terrorists, for example, are being welcomed in Florida to cheers by Cuban hardliners. Cuban musicians, however, are dangerous.

Chechen rebel/terrorists offer abounty for Putin for something like this.

Why Al-Quaeda loves George Bush, the uniter of Arabs and Muslims. Bush protects equipment at the cost of our reputation.

Sad.