It's my own fault.
I had hoped that there was some way to include the congregation on this journey. The truth is I'd really like them to experience it too. So I did the standard thing, describing the shape and form of my sabbatical, sharing a reading list and pertinent websites. I began having many conversations, some of them full of blessing-and-get-on-your-way, and others full of fear.
To be honest, the anxiety of others can rub off onto me sometimes, especially when it is expressed by someone that I admire. One of the ways I've learned to cope with my own anxiety is by planning carefully. So in preparation, I read through some of the details of my upcoming trip and found the suggestion to bring small gift items with me to give to the children and youth that I meet.
To be honest, I don't have stuff like that. But eureka! I'll bet my congregation does. So I asked them, about two weeks before I would leave, to give me small gifts and trinkets. Two weeks isn't a lot of time, but I hoped to be able to take enough with me to fill half of my medium size duffel bag.
To be honest, it's been a deluge of blessings:
The first one to offer gifts heard me talking about it at parenting support group. The second saw my note on Facebook. Another who is moving soon ordered a shipment of cars and animals from amazon. A high school youth gave me his matchbox car collection. A mom made bracelets with her daughters. Many, many shopping bags full of exactly what I asked for were left on my office table with little love notes and cards wishing me well.
So I've filled that duffel. And I've reconsidered packing personal non-essential items like a hair dryer to make more room. Do I really need two hats? Probably not. In the end, the church gave me about four times what I could carry, and eight times what I thought they would. Clark will ship the rest for me when I run out mid-term. Blessing upon blessing. And me? Grateful.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Thursday, January 26, 2017
History of Israeli/Palestinian Conflict- Cliff Notes (pt 4)
Are you keeping up? Great.... lots more violence ensues. After the wars of 1948 and 1967, the land of Palestine (which includes the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem) is considered Occupied Territory. Powerful Men argue over land and rights.
- More Jewish immigrants move to Israel, from many nations, it's like the Jewish Diaspora in reverse. They begin to build settlements on land that has been considered Palestinian. They erect checkpoints in order to feel safe. The U.S. and U.K. governments financially support the state of Israel, believing a Western-Style democracy will bring peace to a volatile region.
- Palestinians in the OT experience a 400% population growth and yet are routinely evicted from their homes, which are destroyed to make room for settlements. They are considered internally displaced persons (experiencing diaspora) by the UN. Poverty, despair, homelessness and unemployment ensue as the occupation is now in its 50th year.
Peace loving Israeli and Palestinians believe a Two State Solution will ultimately bring stability to the region, because Palestinians will be able to self-govern and Israel will be lifted from its responsibility to govern the OT. Yet, there are forces in both sides that are bent on consuming the other.
Can peace be achieved in the midst of this divisiveness?
History of Israeli/Palestinian Conflict- Cliff Notes (pt 3)
June 5, 1967 In an attack that begins what became known as the
“al-Naksah,” or “the Setback,” to Palestinians,
Israel seizes Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian
territory. The Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip are
captured from Egypt, the Golan Heights from
Syria, and the West Bank and East Jerusalem from
Jordan.
Israel begins establishing settlements in the West Bank, Gaza, and the Sinai Peninsula. Palestinians view this as a violation of international law regarding territory seized during war. Iraq sends forces into Jordan to support the war, even though Jordan had not requested such action. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) moves its operations from the West Bank to Jordan.
In response to the war, the UN Security Council passes Resolution 242, which calls for the “withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict [in official UN languages other than English the article “the” precedes “territories,” thus implying that Israel has to return all the conquered territory]; termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every state in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force.” This resolution, with its formula of “land for peace,” is the basis of for all subsequent peace negotiations between Israel, Palestinians, and the surrounding Arab states.
September, 1970 Frustrated with and feeling threatened by the Palestine Liberation Organization’s involvement in Jordanian politics, King Hussein declares war on the PLO and imposes martial law. Three thousand people lost their lives in the fighting that ensued between the Jordanian and the PLO forces.
In a peace agreement brokered by the Arab League and by Gamel Abdel Nasser, leader of Egypt, the PLO agreed to move its headquarters from Jordan to Lebanon. This was one of Nasser’s last acts as leader of Egypt, as he died later that month of a heart attack.
October 6, 1973 Egypt and Syria organize a surprise attack on Israeli forces in the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights on the day of the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur and the Muslim month of Ramadan, in which the annual fast is performed. Egypt and Syria made initial gains but retreated after Israeli counter-attacks.
Because they successfully carried out a surprise attack, the war was a political victory for Egypt and Syria. Though they overextended their forces and did not succeed in regaining control over the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights, Israel’s military vulnerabilities were exposed, particularly because the U.S. air-lifted a large supply of weapons to Israel, without which Israel might not have been as successful in defending its territory.The war lasted for 3 weeks, ending on October 22 on the Syrian front and October 26 on the Egyptian front.
Israel begins establishing settlements in the West Bank, Gaza, and the Sinai Peninsula. Palestinians view this as a violation of international law regarding territory seized during war. Iraq sends forces into Jordan to support the war, even though Jordan had not requested such action. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) moves its operations from the West Bank to Jordan.
In response to the war, the UN Security Council passes Resolution 242, which calls for the “withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict [in official UN languages other than English the article “the” precedes “territories,” thus implying that Israel has to return all the conquered territory]; termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every state in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force.” This resolution, with its formula of “land for peace,” is the basis of for all subsequent peace negotiations between Israel, Palestinians, and the surrounding Arab states.
September, 1970 Frustrated with and feeling threatened by the Palestine Liberation Organization’s involvement in Jordanian politics, King Hussein declares war on the PLO and imposes martial law. Three thousand people lost their lives in the fighting that ensued between the Jordanian and the PLO forces.
In a peace agreement brokered by the Arab League and by Gamel Abdel Nasser, leader of Egypt, the PLO agreed to move its headquarters from Jordan to Lebanon. This was one of Nasser’s last acts as leader of Egypt, as he died later that month of a heart attack.
October 6, 1973 Egypt and Syria organize a surprise attack on Israeli forces in the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights on the day of the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur and the Muslim month of Ramadan, in which the annual fast is performed. Egypt and Syria made initial gains but retreated after Israeli counter-attacks.
Because they successfully carried out a surprise attack, the war was a political victory for Egypt and Syria. Though they overextended their forces and did not succeed in regaining control over the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights, Israel’s military vulnerabilities were exposed, particularly because the U.S. air-lifted a large supply of weapons to Israel, without which Israel might not have been as successful in defending its territory.The war lasted for 3 weeks, ending on October 22 on the Syrian front and October 26 on the Egyptian front.
- Israelis refer to the war as the Yom Kippur war. Israel saw the war as a military victory because it maintained possession of the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights.
- Arabs refer to the war as the Ramadan war.
History of Israeli/Palestinian Conflict- Cliff Notes (pt 2)
November 1947
The General Assembly of the United Nations recommended the partition of British-mandate
Palestine into two separate states, one for Jews and one for Arabs. Territory is separated by the Green Line. Fighting breaks out soon
thereafter, because...
- Palestinians considered the proposal unrepresentative of the demographic distribution of Jews and Arabs living in Palestine at that time, and so rejected it (as did neighboring Arab states).
- Zionist leaders accepted the proposed partition for tactical and strategic reasons.
May 1948 Zionist leaders proclaimed the State of Israel. Fighting breaks out between the newly
declared state of Israel and its Arab neighbors as British troops leave the country. Notice the differences in the language used in the narrative at this point...
- Israelis call the war “Milhemet Haatzma’ut,” or “War of Independence”. 700,000 Palestinians leave what had been British-mandate Palestine as Israel gains control over large tracts of land, including some five hundred Palestinian villages.
- Palestinians call the war “al-Nakbah” or “the Catastrophe,”. 700,000 Palestinians flee or are driven from what had been British-mandate Palestine. Israel annexes large tracts of land and destroys some five hundred Palestinian villages
Jordan establishes control over the West Bank with the tacit agreement of Israel and Egypt
establishes control of the Gaza Strip. Control of Jerusalem is split between Israel in the west and
Jordan in the east.
December 11, 1948 the UN General Assembly passes Resolution 194, stating that Palestinian
refugees who wish to return to their homes should be permitted to do so and that those who do
not wish to return should be compensated by the state of Israel.
1948–1967
Ongoing skirmishes between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
May, 1964
Following an Arab League decision, 422 Palestinian national figures meet in Jerusalem under the
chairmanship of Ahmad Shuqeiri, who founded the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and
laid down the structure of the Palestine National Council (PNC), the PLO Executive Committee,
the National Fund and the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA). The meeting also approved a
Palestinian national covenant and basic law.
June 5, 1967 In what Israelis call the “Six Day War,” Israel
conducts a pre-emptive attack against Egypt and
gains control over territory formerly controlled by
Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Israel gains control over
the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt, the
Golan Heights from Syria, and the West Bank and
East Jerusalem from Jordan. In six days, Israel
roughly triples the size of the territory under its
control.
Israel begins establishing settlements in Gaza, the
Sinai Peninsula, and the West Bank, which rightwing
Israelis refer to by the biblical names “Judea
and Samaria” and consider the biblical lands of the
Jewish people.
History of Israel/Palestinian Conflict - Cliff Notes (Pt 1)
First, a disclaimer: I'm lucky to have many well-educated friends and family members, so if you follow this blog there is a really good chance that you know more about this topic than I do.
Second, a confession: Before going to the Holy Land 5 years ago, I was pretty uninformed about Israel/Palestine. I had to experience it to understand it. And I don't completely. We receive a pretty skewed view of world events in the US media, and there are many other situations that clamor for our attention. In addition, the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has a convenient elasticity; it changes dramatically depending on who is telling it and where they start the story.
In the interest of sharing information, with the intent of remaining non-partisan, and in full humility that I don't know all there is to know, I offer this 'cheat sheet'. May it illuminate, educate and inspire so that perhaps you feel a little more knowledgeable and connected to our brothers and sisters in the region who are working for a just peace and end to conflict.
1880–1914
The Zionist movement was founded in response to the worsening persecution of European Jews, thousands of Jews began immigrating to Palestine, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire.
1915
In an exchange of ten letters between Sir Henry
McMahon, Britain’s high commissioner in Egypt,
and Sharif Hussein bin Ali, Emir of Mecca and
King of the Arabs, Britain
pledged to support Arab independence if Hussein’s
forces revolted against the Ottomans.
The exchange of letters became known as the
Hussein-McMahon correspondence. Hussein
envisioned a unified Arab state stretching from
Aleppo (Syria) to Aden (Yemen).
November, 1917
The British government, in the Balfour Declaration
(signed by their Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour
and drafter in part by U.S. President Wilson), stated
its support for “the establishment in Palestine of a
National Home for the Jewish people.” Issuing of the statement was motivated by both
sympathy for the Zionist cause and by British
desire to rally Jews to the side of the Allies.
1918
As a result of World War I, Britain wins control over the area of Palestine from the Ottoman
Empire. The area becomes known as British-mandate Palestine. [A mandate is an authorization
to govern over conquered territory].
1918-1948, Britain governs over the Jews and
Arabs living in this territory.
1921
Britain gives the area of British-mandate Palestine east of the Jordan River to Emir Abdullah, to
form the country of Jordan.
The first major intercommunal violence erupts along the Jaffa-Tel Aviv
border on May Day, leaving scores of Jews and Arabs dead. Jews consider it a pogrom, Palestinians consider it a revolt.
Violent interactions and instability continue...
Saturday, January 21, 2017
What are International Human Rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948, as a result of the experience of the Second World War. The idea of equality in human rights is one of the most important fundamentals of peaceful human co-existence. At the same time, human rights are subject to fierce debates and violations are common all over the world.
Human Rights, according to the Declaration, include:
2. We don’t discriminate. These rights belong to everybody, whatever our differences.
3. We all have the right to live in freedom and safety.
4. No slavery. Nobody has the right to make us a slave, and we cannot make anyone our slave.
5. No Torture. Nobody has the right to hurt or torture us.
6. We all have the same right to use the law. I am a person, just like you!
7. We are all protected equally under the law. The law is the same for everyone, and it must treat us all fairly.
8. We all receive fair treatment by the court. We can ask for the law to help us when we are not treated fairly.
9. No unfair detainment. Nobody has the right to put us in prison without a good reason and keep us there, or send us away from our country.
10. We have the right to trial. If we are put on trial it should be in public. The people who try us should not let anyone tell them what to do.
11. We are innocent until proven guilty. Nobody should be blamed for doing something until it is proven. When people say we did a bad thing we have the right to show it is not true.
12. We have the right to privacy. Nobody should try to harm our good name. Nobody has the right to come into our home, open our letters or bother us or our family without a good reason.
13. We have the freedom to move. We all have the right to go where we want in our own country and to travel as we wish.
14. We have the right to asylum. If we are frightened of being badly treated in our own country, we have the right to run away to another country to be safe.
15. We have the right to a nationality. We all have the right to belong to a country.
16. We have the right to marriage and family. Every adult has the right to marry and have a family. Men and women have the same rights when they are married as when they are separated.
17. We have a right to own property. Everyone has the right to own things or share them, and nobody should take our belongings from us without a good reason.
18. We have freedom of thought. We all have the right to believe in what we want to believe, to have a religion (or not), and to change it if we want.
19. We are free to say what we want. We all have the right to make up our own minds, to think what we like, to say what we think, and to share our ideas with other people.
20. We are free to meet where we like. We all have the right to meet our friends and to work together in peace to defend our rights. Nobody can make us join a group if we don’t want to.
21. We have the right to democracy. We all have the right to take part in the government of our country. Every adult should be allowed to choose their own leaders.
22. We have the right to social security. We all have the right to affordable housing, medicine, education, and child care, enough money to live on and medical help if we are ill or old.
23. We have the right to work. Every adult has the right to do a job, to receive a fair wage for their work, and to join a trade union.
24. We have the right to play. We all have the right to rest and relax from work.
25. We have the right to a bed and some food. We all have the right to a good life. Mothers and children, people who are old, unemployed or disabled, and all people have the right to be cared for.
26. We have the right to education. Education is a right. Primary school should be free. We should learn about the United Nations and how to get on with others. Parents can choose what their children learn.
27. We have the right to culture and copyright. Copyright is a special law that protects one’s own artistic creations and writings; others cannot make copies without permission. We all have the right to our own way of life and to enjoy the good things that art, science and learning bring.
28. We have the right to a free and fair world. There must be proper order so we can all enjoy rights and freedoms in our own country and all over the world.
29. We also have responsibilities. We have a duty to other people, and we should protect their rights and freedoms.
30. Nobody can take away these rights and freedoms from us.
Read the full Declaration here. Watch this short video to learn more.
Human Rights, according to the Declaration, include:
1. We are all free and equal. We are all born free. We all have our own thoughts and ideas. We should all be treated in the same way.
2. We don’t discriminate. These rights belong to everybody, whatever our differences.
3. We all have the right to live in freedom and safety.
4. No slavery. Nobody has the right to make us a slave, and we cannot make anyone our slave.
5. No Torture. Nobody has the right to hurt or torture us.
6. We all have the same right to use the law. I am a person, just like you!
7. We are all protected equally under the law. The law is the same for everyone, and it must treat us all fairly.
8. We all receive fair treatment by the court. We can ask for the law to help us when we are not treated fairly.
9. No unfair detainment. Nobody has the right to put us in prison without a good reason and keep us there, or send us away from our country.
10. We have the right to trial. If we are put on trial it should be in public. The people who try us should not let anyone tell them what to do.
11. We are innocent until proven guilty. Nobody should be blamed for doing something until it is proven. When people say we did a bad thing we have the right to show it is not true.
12. We have the right to privacy. Nobody should try to harm our good name. Nobody has the right to come into our home, open our letters or bother us or our family without a good reason.
13. We have the freedom to move. We all have the right to go where we want in our own country and to travel as we wish.
14. We have the right to asylum. If we are frightened of being badly treated in our own country, we have the right to run away to another country to be safe.
15. We have the right to a nationality. We all have the right to belong to a country.
16. We have the right to marriage and family. Every adult has the right to marry and have a family. Men and women have the same rights when they are married as when they are separated.
17. We have a right to own property. Everyone has the right to own things or share them, and nobody should take our belongings from us without a good reason.
18. We have freedom of thought. We all have the right to believe in what we want to believe, to have a religion (or not), and to change it if we want.
19. We are free to say what we want. We all have the right to make up our own minds, to think what we like, to say what we think, and to share our ideas with other people.
20. We are free to meet where we like. We all have the right to meet our friends and to work together in peace to defend our rights. Nobody can make us join a group if we don’t want to.
21. We have the right to democracy. We all have the right to take part in the government of our country. Every adult should be allowed to choose their own leaders.
22. We have the right to social security. We all have the right to affordable housing, medicine, education, and child care, enough money to live on and medical help if we are ill or old.
23. We have the right to work. Every adult has the right to do a job, to receive a fair wage for their work, and to join a trade union.
24. We have the right to play. We all have the right to rest and relax from work.
25. We have the right to a bed and some food. We all have the right to a good life. Mothers and children, people who are old, unemployed or disabled, and all people have the right to be cared for.
26. We have the right to education. Education is a right. Primary school should be free. We should learn about the United Nations and how to get on with others. Parents can choose what their children learn.
27. We have the right to culture and copyright. Copyright is a special law that protects one’s own artistic creations and writings; others cannot make copies without permission. We all have the right to our own way of life and to enjoy the good things that art, science and learning bring.
28. We have the right to a free and fair world. There must be proper order so we can all enjoy rights and freedoms in our own country and all over the world.
29. We also have responsibilities. We have a duty to other people, and we should protect their rights and freedoms.
30. Nobody can take away these rights and freedoms from us.
Read the full Declaration here. Watch this short video to learn more.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Sabbatical Reading List
One of my loudest complaints (to myself) these past few years in ministry is that I haven't had much time to read. And there is SO MUCH good stuff out there! Having the opportunity to dig into a stack of books will be fantastic. Carrying them to the Holy Land... may be rough but I'll deal.
If you want to read along with what I'll be reading during my overseas sabbatical, here are the titles (along with intro snippets from Amazon), Some of them have been on my list for a while.
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams: Two spiritual giants. Five days. One timeless question. Nobel Peace Prize Laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have survived more than fifty years of exile and the soul-crushing violence of oppression. Despite their hardships—or, as they would say, because of them—they are two of the most joyful people on the planet. The Archbishop has never claimed sainthood, and the Dalai Lama considers himself a simple monk. In this unique collaboration, they offer us the reflection of real lives filled with pain and turmoil in the midst of which they have been able to discover a level of peace, of courage, and of joy to which we can all aspire in our own lives.
Because - Joy. How do we find it after tragedy, oppression, trauma?
Simple Church, by Thom Ranier and Eric Geiger: #1 national bestseller Simple Church guides Christians back to the simple gospel-sharing methods of Jesus. No bells or whistles required. With insights based on case studies of 400 American churches, Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger prove the disciple-making process is often too complex. Simple churches thrive by taking four ideas to heart: Clarity. Movement. Alignment. Focus.
If you want to read along with what I'll be reading during my overseas sabbatical, here are the titles (along with intro snippets from Amazon), Some of them have been on my list for a while.
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams: Two spiritual giants. Five days. One timeless question. Nobel Peace Prize Laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have survived more than fifty years of exile and the soul-crushing violence of oppression. Despite their hardships—or, as they would say, because of them—they are two of the most joyful people on the planet. The Archbishop has never claimed sainthood, and the Dalai Lama considers himself a simple monk. In this unique collaboration, they offer us the reflection of real lives filled with pain and turmoil in the midst of which they have been able to discover a level of peace, of courage, and of joy to which we can all aspire in our own lives.
Because - Joy. How do we find it after tragedy, oppression, trauma?
From Beirut to Jerusalem, by Thomas L. Friedman: Three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas L. Friedman drew upon his ten years of experience reporting from Lebanon and Israel to write this now-classic work of journalism. In a new afterword, he updates his journey with a fresh discussion of the Arab Awakenings and how they are transforming the area, and a new look at relations between Israelis and Palestinians, and Israelis and Israelis.
Because - The Middle East is a complicated place. Much of what is available in news channels is so black and white. How do they build a path to peace?
Because - The Middle East is a complicated place. Much of what is available in news channels is so black and white. How do they build a path to peace?
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates: Coates shares with his son—and readers—the story of his awakening to the truth about his place in the world through a series of revelatory experiences, from Howard University to Civil War battlefields, from the South Side of Chicago to Paris, from his childhood home to the living rooms of mothers whose children’s lives were taken as American plunder. Beautifully woven from personal narrative, reimagined history, and fresh, emotionally charged reportage, Between the World and Me clearly illuminates the past, bracingly confronts our present, and offers a transcendent vision for a way forward.
Because - It's our original sin as a nation, and the disturbing rise of neo-nazi groups have underscored the fact that racism isn't over in the US. How do we heal the brokenness and move forward together? It's a difficult question to answer without listening to the voices of those who are most directly impacted.
Hillbilly Elegy, By J D Vance: A passionate and personal analysis of a culture in crisis—that of white working-class Americans. The decline of this group, a demographic of our country that has been slowly disintegrating over forty years, has been reported on with growing frequency and alarm, but has never before been written about as searingly from the inside. J. D. Vance tells the true story of what a social, regional, and class decline feels like when you were born with it hung around your neck.
Because - We witnessed this phenomenon this summer on a mission trip to Frakes, KY. The American dream is not equally experienced across the country. What are the underlying factors that have disintegrated the dream and how do we move forward?
Because - It's our original sin as a nation, and the disturbing rise of neo-nazi groups have underscored the fact that racism isn't over in the US. How do we heal the brokenness and move forward together? It's a difficult question to answer without listening to the voices of those who are most directly impacted.
Hillbilly Elegy, By J D Vance: A passionate and personal analysis of a culture in crisis—that of white working-class Americans. The decline of this group, a demographic of our country that has been slowly disintegrating over forty years, has been reported on with growing frequency and alarm, but has never before been written about as searingly from the inside. J. D. Vance tells the true story of what a social, regional, and class decline feels like when you were born with it hung around your neck.
Because - We witnessed this phenomenon this summer on a mission trip to Frakes, KY. The American dream is not equally experienced across the country. What are the underlying factors that have disintegrated the dream and how do we move forward?
Simple Church, by Thom Ranier and Eric Geiger: #1 national bestseller Simple Church guides Christians back to the simple gospel-sharing methods of Jesus. No bells or whistles required. With insights based on case studies of 400 American churches, Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger prove the disciple-making process is often too complex. Simple churches thrive by taking four ideas to heart: Clarity. Movement. Alignment. Focus.
Because - I'm on sabbatical from leading a church, and I'd like for us to begin tackle governance when I return. My gut tells me that we over complicate things. What does "simple church" look like? Hopefully this is not a dumbing down, but a streamlining for effectiveness.
Thank You for Being Late, by Thomas L. Friedman: Exposes the tectonic movements that are reshaping the world today and explains how to get the most out of them and cushion their worst impacts. You will never look at the world the same way again after you read this book: how you understand the news, the work you do, the education your kids need, the investments your employer has to make, and the moral and geopolitical choices our country has to navigate will all be refashioned by Friedman’s original analysis.
Because - The World is shifting in new ways and I'd like to know more.
Thank You for Being Late, by Thomas L. Friedman: Exposes the tectonic movements that are reshaping the world today and explains how to get the most out of them and cushion their worst impacts. You will never look at the world the same way again after you read this book: how you understand the news, the work you do, the education your kids need, the investments your employer has to make, and the moral and geopolitical choices our country has to navigate will all be refashioned by Friedman’s original analysis.
Because - The World is shifting in new ways and I'd like to know more.
Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood, Lisa Lamour: In this sane, highly engaging, and informed guide for parents of daughters, Dr. Damour draws on decades of experience and the latest research to reveal the seven distinct—and absolutely normal—developmental transitions that turn girls into grown-ups, including Parting with Childhood, Contending with Adult Authority, Entering the Romantic World, and Caring for Herself. Providing realistic scenarios and welcome advice on how to engage daughters in smart, constructive ways, Untangled gives parents a broad framework for understanding their daughters while addressing their most common questions
Because - I feel sometimes like I don't understand the transition to adulthood for girls, and knowing more may help. Also, the last book I was able to read was Masterminds & Wingmen by Rosalind Wiseman, a book about adolescent male development. It greatly helped me in both understanding my son, but also the other young men that come through our youth program at MCC.
Because - I feel sometimes like I don't understand the transition to adulthood for girls, and knowing more may help. Also, the last book I was able to read was Masterminds & Wingmen by Rosalind Wiseman, a book about adolescent male development. It greatly helped me in both understanding my son, but also the other young men that come through our youth program at MCC.
I'll write some thoughts from time to time about the readings, my adventures (w/pics) so that you know what I'm up to. Happy reading!
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
REboot
Hello, blog! It's been a while. My last post to the page was in October, 2012 when I wrote about the Puritan practice of the Election Day Sermon (Zzzzz). Well, we're over the finish line of another Presidential election cycle and the country seems as on edge as we've ever been. I've become really thin-skinned about all the ugly public discourse. I've tried to find grace and focus on root issues. But it's hard. A 24-hour news cycle leaves little opportunity for fact-checking, and people seem quick to believe lies and jump on bandwagons, and well, just "other" each other. I'm still full of hope that things will turn for the better, perhaps that makes me naive.
Since my last post, I've moved from one small New England Town to another and now live about 200 feet from the wonderful UCC church full of people that I have grown to dearly love (ten years next week!). As a community, we struggle sometimes over deep wounds and losses. For example, many of us are still frustrated that nothing has been done to change gun violence. Or addiction. Or that the access to mental health resources is so inadequate. We've faced staffing turnover, which has brought challenges.Two ministry colleagues have come and gone, but a third seems to be sticking (she's great!). We face similar financial downturns as many other churches, and it makes it hard to meet the needs of vibrant ministry in this place. Dear, strong, generous members still move away for jobs or retirement or family. But we still try to bring the kingdom of God's love just a little bit closer and haven't given up on meeting the needs of our neighbors. For that, I am very grateful.
On the home front, our eldest has returned home, is in grad school and has come out as a gay woman (proud of her!). My husband has had... hmmm... three (or maybe 4) job changes, I am cautiously optimistic that his latest will stick. Youngest is trying to juggle preparation for Eagle Scout, a job at a coffee shop, school, indoor track and his youth group (PF). And my family has trained to become a foster family, which has nearly taken us three years since first applying. Now that we have our licence, we came close to having a son move in... but that's on hold because he received the Christmas gift of a forever home with his current fosters. I've lost three dear family members, two grandma's and a great uncle who was my grandfather. It feels like my roots are gone some days. Oh, and surprise! I'm headed overseas on sabbatical soon.
Since my last post, I've moved from one small New England Town to another and now live about 200 feet from the wonderful UCC church full of people that I have grown to dearly love (ten years next week!). As a community, we struggle sometimes over deep wounds and losses. For example, many of us are still frustrated that nothing has been done to change gun violence. Or addiction. Or that the access to mental health resources is so inadequate. We've faced staffing turnover, which has brought challenges.Two ministry colleagues have come and gone, but a third seems to be sticking (she's great!). We face similar financial downturns as many other churches, and it makes it hard to meet the needs of vibrant ministry in this place. Dear, strong, generous members still move away for jobs or retirement or family. But we still try to bring the kingdom of God's love just a little bit closer and haven't given up on meeting the needs of our neighbors. For that, I am very grateful.
On the home front, our eldest has returned home, is in grad school and has come out as a gay woman (proud of her!). My husband has had... hmmm... three (or maybe 4) job changes, I am cautiously optimistic that his latest will stick. Youngest is trying to juggle preparation for Eagle Scout, a job at a coffee shop, school, indoor track and his youth group (PF). And my family has trained to become a foster family, which has nearly taken us three years since first applying. Now that we have our licence, we came close to having a son move in... but that's on hold because he received the Christmas gift of a forever home with his current fosters. I've lost three dear family members, two grandma's and a great uncle who was my grandfather. It feels like my roots are gone some days. Oh, and surprise! I'm headed overseas on sabbatical soon.
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