On retreat!

I am on retreat with the clergy of the Southwest Conference.

Please keep us all in your prayers, and I will report more fully as time and circumstances allow.

Preaching Against Prop 102

Doing my best to look and sound the part of the 'Bishop,' I had the distinct honor and pleasure to preach at an Interfaith service Thursday evening. The purpose was to gather voices of faith to talk about what there is about our faith that compels us to oppose Prop 102 - the attempt to amend Arizona's Constitution to ban same sex marriage (a practice that is right now illegal in the state of Arizona).

I hope soon to have some pictures from the evening. It was marvelous. Participating were representatives from the Unitarian faith, the Jewish faith, Sikhs and Muslims, Catholics and Protestants. It was moving, from the testimonials to the spirit to the music to the enthusiasm.

I apologize for the length, I try to keep these postings brief, but I did want to share my words with you.

Here they are:

‘Four score and seven years ago, our forefathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.’

It’s hard to imagine what was at stake when Lincoln spoke those words. Their import and impact extend beyond the years, and remind us both how fragile is this notion of equality, and how utterly difficult it is to build a nation founded on that single fundament.

Still in its infancy, America was discovering that the principles of freedom and equality would never truly be embraced by all. Forces, powers, constituencies, alliances, even armies would all align to undermine governments built to ensure the dignity and worth of all – especially when the equality of the masses would threaten the imagined supremacy of the few.

What Lincoln himself understood was that this notion of equality – this proposition that all are created equal – was an inspired notion, the mere articulation of which was by far easier than its execution; and which preceded by a full century our ability and willingness to live fully into it.

The men and women who imagined that such a nation could be built were truly inspired. The impulses that would engender within them the dream of equality, the vision of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, and the hope that their generation would and could make such dreams and visions possible for future generations coursed through their veins. Those impulses manifested themselves in documents, pamphlets, orations, speeches, and sermons hallowed to this day not just by Americans, but by all who on this earth find their bodies enslaved, their souls beaten down, and their livelihood threatened by oppression, tyranny, abuse, and barbarism – and who, in the face us these atrocities, dream about freedom.

Upon declaring our Independence as a nation, having suffered at the hands of a government destructive of these ends, it was written: “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

I am a man of faith. I understand well this language, and believe deeply in its assertion: that these enumerated inalienable rights and the fundament of equality are not merely abstract ideals for which we strive but endowments of the Creator. You cannot remove them. We possess them as children of our Creator.

That the founders of this country, the authors of these texts to which I refer, were themselves motivated by religious principles is evident.

What is also evident was their recognition that the same religious institutions which engender such high ideals can themselves become impediments to a citizen’s equality, barriers to a full life, blockades to liberty, and stumbling blocks to the pursuit of happiness. In constructing a government built to ensure these precious and inalienable rights, they were careful to build a wall of separation between the church and the state. They were as careful to make use of governing principles that guarded against the tyranny of the church, the tyranny of the state, or the tyranny of any illicit alliance the two might form.

I am proud to be a part of a faith tradition that honors, understands, and affirms this separation. That religious institutions have the capacity to inform the minds, to stir the hearts, and to shape the moral character of this nation’s citizen’s is testimony to the high calling which is theirs to claim and reason enough for the government to ensure the free expression of religious thought.

I am proud to be the child of an experiment in human history that crafted a Constitution that upheld the Creator’s intent that all would remain free within its borders. I renew my concern that throughout our history, however, this we have failed to fully live out those higher aspirations. And where we have not, we do also note that the same government which shamefully fell short of those ideals permitted the kind of dissent that would inspire and produce amendments to our Constitution that would address those less than noble inclinations. Those amendments would free slaves, re-enfranchise first the black male, and then all women.

Throughout the history of this great nation, its citizens have sought to correct what were the clear prejudices of men and women whose intellect and integrity were large enough to create something grand, but whose times and culture were powerful enough to limit their understandings of just who would be included in this embrace of equality.

The tide of history has served to wash away such notions as: a black is 3/5 human, an especially galling principle in that it served both to dehumanize a proud race of people while using them for political capital; the black could not muster the requisite intelligence to participate in the shaping of a government built to protect and preserve his rights; women were subject to emotions that clouded their judgment and therefore were themselves denied the right to vote; our children are better educated in institutions that perpetuate institutionalized racism through forced segregation.

As a person of faith, it strikes me that what we are inviting the Citizens of this state to undertake should embarrass and frighten us. This invitation to amend our Constitution is an effort to undermine our noble and historic mission to shape a nation where government ensures and protects equality – an equality that we rightly name as the intended endowment of our Creator, a truth we hold to be self-evident.

We are at our best as a nation, as people of faith, as citizens active in the pursuit of our own life, liberty, and happiness when we stand up for those whom others will argue are not deserving of the same rights.

It is as a matter of faith that I reject the teachings and principles of those who would both benefit from the entitlements of privilege and who would also promise some of us a share of that privilege.

In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul writes: “There is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female – all are one in Christ.”

Paul was not arguing that we should obliterate, ignore, or diminish cultural identities, religious practices, class distinctions, or gender differences. He had witnessed class warfare in the empire of Rome, and in Galatia witnessed perhaps the first pogrom as Roman procurators fomented dissent between already tense Greek and Jewish settlements. He was sick of it. And he understood that if the teachings of Jesus were meant to impart anything, it would be that the distribution of wealth, power, and honor would not be reduced to equations of ethnicity, class, and gender. Were it as much an issue in his time as it seems to be today, he would have added to that list there is no longer gay or straight. Just as ethnicity, and gender, and class have no place in the determination of one’s moral or economic status, neither does one’s sexual orientation. That is not only a principle built on sound ethical judgment, it is a theological imperative and a religious fundament practiced and held to be true by those who believe that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, and who hold this truth to be self-evident: that all are created equal.

I speak as a respected leader in the Christian tradition and unequivocally state that there is nothing Christian about this inclination to identify members of the LGBT community as second-class citizens in the state of Arizona. There is nothing American about this inclination to identify members of the LGBT community as second-class citizens in the state of Arizona. There is nothing faith-filled about this inclination to identify member of the LGBT community as a second-class citizens in the state of Arizona.

That there are Christian bigots who feel that way does not surprise us. They have existed among us throughout our history. That we would occasionally discover within our own selves tendencies toward this kind of bigotry should also no longer surprises us. But that we would seek to institutionalize such bigotry and prejudice after more than two centuries of impulses which are moving us, compelling us, requiring us to open our hearts sends a chill up my spine.

My faith compels me to oppose this proposed amendment to the Constitution of Arizona – which, as all others written before it in this great land, was written to guarantee and to protect the rights of all of its citizens. I oppose it not in spite of what my faith teaches me, but because of it. I oppose it not in spite of what my scripture teaches me, but because of it. I oppose it not in spite of what our forebears envisioned as possible in America, but because of it.

Like Lincoln’s America, we today are asked to test whether or not a nation founded and dedicated on the proposition that all are created equal can long stand.

God help us all if it cannot. Because this time, if it cannot, it will have been the church, the people through whose forebear’s inspiration and insight this nation was birthed in freedom and liberty, in equality and in justice, who will have ended the dream. As a person of faith, I am frightened by what that might mean, and I add my voice to those who in faith oppose this Proposition – this un-American, un-Christian, un-faithful, anti-liberty-for-all Proposition. And my fervent prayer is that come Nov. 4 we who do once again outnumber those who do not.

Los Alamos

A quick flight and a short drive, and there I was in some of the most spectacular country anywhere: Los Alamos.

And what an interesting history - for both the town and the church.

The church was begun as a faith center for the military, who used Los Alamos for much of the research that was done on the Manhattan project. Ever see a church with spacemen and spaceships in their stained-glass windows? Well, now I have.

It was a church that served Protestants, Catholics, and Jews. Eventually the Catholic church and the Jewish synagogue would build their own centers of worship, but the church remained aligned with, federated with, in union with a variety of denominational flavors.

Their membership is strong and vital, and they are in the process of revisioning their future, their mission, and their purpose. What an exciting time this will be for them. I met with their pastor, Don Childers, and a core of leaders just to talk about their future ministry and what shape it might take.

Later, Don and one of his pastoral team, Keith Lewis, would visit with me into the early afternoon before I would take the short drive and quick flight back home.

All in all, a very good day. And I discovered my new favorite radio station: KTAO out of Taos (I am listening to it online as I write this).

Retreat weekend

The weekend started with a round of golf that served as prelude to the men's retreat I was fortunate enough to participate in with a bunch of hooligans from Rincon UCC in Tucson. Dave, Dave, and Larry all met me at a Tucson area golf course, and three of us watched the fourth one outplay us all like the bunch of rank amateurs we truly are. But gosh, was it fun.

From there we went to Oracle and met the rest of the guys. We fashioned crosses out of nails, ate spaghetti, built a camp fire, told stories, and sang till the stars shone brightly over our heads. A good time was had by all. I listened to them rehearse the song they were going to sing in worship at Rincon UCC on Sunday - and spent the entire drive home praying that they change their mind.

From there I would spend Saturday in retreat with almost 60 leaders from Church of the Red Rocks in Sedona. We shared a whole day together talking about new beginnings - and speaking of that, look at this picture of their pastor George Ault. Don't you think his new beginning should include rooting for a different team than the Penn State Nittany Lions? He would be brimming with pride on joy come Sunday as his team would end up ranked 3rd overall in the new BCS rankings.

After two spirit-filled worship services on Sunday, a relaxing lunch with George and his wife Claudia, my son Adam and I hit the mountain trails in and around Sedona before heading south to Phoenix as the sun set on a glorious weekend.

Iglesia sin Fronteras

I had the opportunity to visit Pastor Raul Blanco at his church in Cuidad Juarez, MX this week. What a delight that was.





We spent the day with: Persida Rivera-Mendez from the LCM staff of our National Offices; Rev. Daniel Celis (pictured here with Raul) from the Congregational Church of Mexico, and pastor of their church in Mazatlan; Pastor Randy Mayer from our church in Sahuarita and Chair of our Growth and Development Committee; Rev. Daniel Eerdman, from Iglesia Congregacional Unida in Albuquerque; and Elizabeth - a vital and active lay leader in the church in Juarez (she is seated in this picture, still working while the rest of us take a break).






We spent the day reviewing the last year's work at sin Fronteras, and dreaming about the future. We continue to partner with the National church, and with the Congregational Church of Mexico to support this strong and vital mission effort. Your contributions to OCWM make this possible, and I promise you Raul is very thankful. I hope soon you all get a chance to listen to Raul speak about the mission and ministry to which he and the church are committed in his barrio. Invite him out to speak some time - you won't regret it.

Its back to work, but not before...

Well, John heads back to Chicago today, and I am back in the office. But we sure packed a lot into the few days we had together.

A little golf, a little baseball, and two pretty unforgettable days in Sedona.

I will let the pictures tell the story, but before I do a special word of thanks to Bob Carlson for arranging an unforgettable afternoon out on the jeep; and to Dave Ragan for an act of hospitality for which we are truly grateful.

Now, the pictures...

Day two on my getaway

Well, day two was about baseball.

My sons and I enjoyed a wonderful time at Phoenix Municipal stadium.

Weather was outstanding - a true Chamber of Commerce Day here in Phoenix.

Tomorrow, jeeps in Sedona.

First day away

Well, John Jacob has arrived.

We spent the first day playing golf, and cooking out poolside.

Wish I had the pictures to show you, but somewhere around the 15th hole I dropped my camera/phone into my cup of gatorade. If I could have put the ball in the hole with that level of precision, I would have shot a better round of golf. Yet and still, I shot well enough to beat my two sons - and that's really what its all about, no?

Here are some pics of the Desert Canyon Course in Fountain Hills which we played.

Today - its all about baseball. We are going to attend a Fall League game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Will try to get some live pics this time.

Tomorrow, jeep rides through Sedona.

All work and no play makes John a dull boy: things aren't so dull right now.

A nice break

Thursday of this week, my older son will be coming to the Southwest for the first time. For many reasons, I am really looking forward to this time.

I am going to take my first couple of days away from the office, and after the run I've had these last six weeks it comes at a good time.

And it will be the first time we have had the whole family together since we made the move here.

I am looking forward to some golf, some hiking, a jeep ride through Sedona, a fall league baseball game, some long bike rides, cookouts by the pool.

I plan to show off all the the Southwest has to offer, while spending some real quality time with the family. I'll post some pictures later in the week.

United, Santa Fe

I thought I was going to miss out on the fall weather, but a weekend in Santa Fe gave me a taste of it here in the desert Southwest. A front blew in from Alaska, and after months of 100+ temps, the weather cooled and the soft rains came.

What a weekend! To be sure, I am exhausted. My plane just landed, my wife was there to get me, and I have just arrived back home.

Friday evening, a good group gathered in the sanctuary to hear and dialogue about taking our Faith into the World.

Saturday, a larger group gathered for some Strategic Planning around Mission and Ministry.

Then Sunday there were two worship services, and an adult forum on Faith and Politics. My thanks to Rev. Talitha Arnold, pastor at United in Santa Fe - whose hospitality throughout the weekend made this an enjoyable event from start to finish. And to Brandon Johnson, a brand new Associate Pastor who is already doing some good work there. And finally, to Jackie - their very gifted accompanist.






I am happy to be home. The last six weeks have been quite a haul, but well worth the time I have given to it. I won't have to travel again for a little while, so I am going to root myself back here at home in Phoenix for a bit and reacquaint myself with my family.

Financial Development (woohoooo!!!!)

We began Monday evening with worship in the Amistad Chapel (pictured here).

For three days we have been discussing fund-raising principles and best practices for financial development.

I have to admit, this stuff is fascinating. I never thought I would say that, but it is. It has been very helpful.

The good news? I am really learning a lot about how to raise significant money to fund the ministry and mission we have spent a good deal of my early days dreaming about.

The bad news? I'm coming to get you.

Well, that sounded harsh. And that's not bad news, really. Let me rephrase that: I am happy to be part of a concerted effort to increase your joy by inviting you to participate in mission through giving.

There we go.

We have a lot of work to do before we begin any major campaign, but it is a vision and a goal towards which I and the leaders of this Conference will soon be working with zeal and passion. And all of you - all of you - will be an integral part of making this mission and ministry come alive.

I can't wait!