A Thought from a student of White Prvilege and its effects on the Church and America...

Without revealing for whom I voted or whom I supported in the election, I use this space for the following:

On April 15, 1947 a Jewish family in the Bronx was celebrating the Passover. The youngest child at the table, playing his role to perfection, asked the patriarch of the family the same question every other family was asking that night, as they had for thousands of years: "What is different about this night?"

The father's response altered the script, but spoke words that revealed how much had changed on that night: "What is different about this night is that a Black man is playing baseball."







Tomorrow, children all over America will be asking: "What is different about this day?"

The front page of Yahoo answers with this picture and headline:

AMERICA'S FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT

From a Rock to a 'stone

Well, the day started at Shadow Rock in North Phoenix. It was covenant Sunday and I was present as they celebrated their 35th Anniversary and looked forward to their 36th year of ministry in the Southwest Conference.

Having heard about the beauty of their sanctuary, I experienced it for the first time. The discerning eye could pick out my house from the first pew, looking west.

In between services, I tasted the celebratory carrot cake (very good), and visited with members from both services. The enthusiasm in the worship was infectious, and children came crawling out of the woodwork to participate in the choir anthem.

I hustled from their celebration down to Tombstone - a town rich with history and legend. I do regret that my first trip there had to be such a short one - but I do plan to return soon.



The occasion was the Installation of their newly called Pastor, Tina Squire. The sanctuary was full, and adorned with red: hats, dresses, stoles, shoes, ribbons, purses, pins - you name it. The president of the church read from one of the town founders diaries, a George Parsons, and dressed as if he himself could have been in town in 1861 when those words were written. I felt right at home in my cowboy boots and Levis.

All agreed to leave their holsters and pistols at the door, and so we proceeded without rancor through the Installation. There was laughter, music, and great joy felt by all both in the sanctuary on historic Allen Street, and around the dinner tables afterward in the fellowship hall. My favorite line of the day? The President Patrick Greene, upon finishing the call to worship, announced: "Would you please stand and sing Come Holy Spirit if you are able?" (Did I mention there was laughter?)

It was a long drive there and back, but well worth the time and effort. I can't wait to go back - and when I do next time, I will take in more fully all that this beautiful place has to offer.

Clergy Retreat

Sorry it has taken this long to post, but I wanted to collect some comments from the clergy who attended. We had a great time - even at the biker bar George Ault took us to on Tuesday evening.

Here are some comments:

Greetings, all! It was wonderful getting the opportunity to be with my fellow UCC clergy, and in my case, getting to know so many of you for the very first time. Thank you for you collegiality, friendship, and willingness to welcome in new folks. I look forward to living into these new relationships...and taking you up on all the offers to meet for lunch, dinner, happy hour, or otherwise! Blessings in your ministries!blockquote>
Brian Frederick-Gray, Phoenix

I too want to say thanks for the time together on Sunday and Monday. I wish I could have stayed longer and enjoyed being with all of you. I drove back to Santa Fe Monday, filled with gratitude for our group and for John D’s leadership. Thanks to those of you who helped plan and lead the retreat, and to everyone who helped us become real with ourselves and focus on our vision for ministry.

Leona Stucky-Abbott, Santa Fe
Thanks to each of you for making the retreat a valuable happening!
The "trick" is to keep our momentum going, and to keep connected with one another.
The "treat" is the journey together into a vision of peace and justice for all people!
Our blessings on each of you as we come together as the Body of Christ.
Carla Cunningham, Albuquerque
The clergy of our conference were lit up and energized by the movement of the Spirit, the leadership of our Conference Minister, the laughter of our fellowship and the competitiveness of our play, it was an incredible experience!
Briget Nicholson, Tucson

Thanks for the followup and thanks to all who responded. I had a great time especially being with all of you.

Don Childers, Los Alamos

Rich and I came home filled with gratitude on so many levels to be part of such a deeply faithful, compassionate and passionate bunch!! You energize us!

Barb Doerrer-Peacock, South Mountain

Thanks to all of you for the time you took to be at the retreat. I enjoyed seeing every one of you and am so grateful for the time we spent together. I wish you all peace and successful ministries, and am looking forward to the next time our paths cross.

Liana Rowe, Interfaith Worker Justice

There were more, but I will let these speak for us all. I was moved by how much fun, how much love, and how much dedication to ministry was evident in this gathering. I can't wait till next year. A special thank you to Len Silvester, Lee Milligan, and Sue Joiner whose work on the planning team made this such a special event in the life of the Conference.