ONE SMALL PLACE IN THE WORLD

Map for the 2011 CROP Walk

2011-02-22T16:16:00.000-08:00

We are getting ready for the 2011 Berkeley CROP Walk. Here is the 10k that we will be walking together on Sunday, April 3rd

View Larger Map

CROP Walk

2010-03-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

On April 25 our church will be participating in a CROP walk. Here is a map of the 2.8 mile walks that we will be doing.

View Larger Map

Standing Up for Children - Sunday, November 8

2009-11-03T14:47:00.000-08:00

I am doing something this coming Sunday (November 8) for the sake of all those kids I have sung with over the years and who I will sing with in the future and all those kids that just need a song... I will be joining with people all over the US on a Stroller Brigade. I will be joining others at the San Francisco City Hall to send a message that all our kids need health care from the time they are born. The new healthy care reform does not guarantee this for all our kids. Join Myrna and me as we push a stroller for health care for all our children.

How to Video - how to turn Max into Mommy... Abracadabra

2009-06-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

I end up spending lots of time with Max when everyone else is busy with their stuff. I must say it is quite a treat. So we do lots of our stuff... included in this is making videos it seems. Today while at Blue Canoe Coffee and Tea we came up with a game where we change each other into other people. It is pretty tricky so don't be surprised if Max turns you into something next time you see him. Enjoy!

What we learn at Sea Ranch

2009-06-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

We are at The Sea Ranch for our 21st Family Adventure. We keep adding new members to the Family. This year we have 17 folks (but we are so sorry that John Chase can't come because he is preaching every Sunday this Summer). We learn so much each year. This year Max (3 1/2) learned the family trick of hanging a spoon on the nose. You really need to learn this to fit in. Valentina gets here on Thursday so I will try to find a spoon to fit her little nose. Maybe we can get some "how-to-video" footage for the Blog.

Folk Music Class at BAM

2009-02-22T23:47:00.001-08:00

Peter's Test - March 16, 2008

2008-03-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

So, what is it about us human beings? What's going on with people like Eliot Spitzer who have so much to loose but can not resist self defeating activities?

We look at the story about Peter and his heart breaking denial of his friend Jesus. You can look at the passage in Matthew 26:69-75. Peter was one who led the way in laying down of cloaks for Jesus in the same breath can in a curse, denied even knowing the guy. In seeing what God is doing in Peter's life maybe we can understand our own journey this Holy Week.

You can listen to the sermon on the embedded player. Thanks for listening...

"Lazarus Laughed" March 9, 2008

2008-03-10T22:11:00.000-07:00

You can find this weeks story in John 11:1-45.

I got the idea for the theme of this sermon from a play by Eugene O'Neill. In his play "Lazarus Laughed" he takes up the story of the life of Lazarus of Bethany where the bible leaves off... "unbind him and let him go...".

O'Neill has an interesting insight that Lazarus' deep sense of thanksgiving and joy brings a new kind of laughter to his life. This new gift of laughter not only changes him but is infectious to his community and everyone who comes in contact with him. In the sermon we reflect on this gift of profound, God inspired, I can believe my good fortune, laughter. We end with wondering what our lives might look like when we are "unbond and let go" as we are given new life by God.

You can listen to the sermon here.
It seems to be taking about 10 sec. for this recording to start. Thanks for listening...

3-9-08.m4a

Finding Jesus - 2/24/08

2008-02-26T08:26:00.001-08:00

A better ending...

It is one of those weeks when I can't let go of last weeks sermon until I write a better ending. This particular sermon was delivered on the occasion of the baptism of Anders Berend Koop Elson. Now it's time to put this sermon too bed.

The text is Luke 2:41-52. It is the story of Jesus at 12 when his parents lost him for 3 days in busy Jerusalem during passover.

The story is one that we think Luke received from Mary (where else would it come from?). The story is about Jesus' "human" days with his human family. My reading of the text makes me think this could have been the story of many Jewish families who where raising their children up in the Faith; an exposer to the stories of the faith at an early age, participation in the life of the synagogue and it's people, going up with the community for the yearly celebration of Passover. A devote family indeed but not unusual in their village. It was their way of life... it was their life and it is in this climate that Jesus was being reared.

Now one of my questions of this text is why, of all the stories that could be told of Jesus' growing up years, did Luke decide to put this one in his "orderly account" of the life of Jesus?

I have two responses.
For one, Jesus was found, after three days, totally lost in the Stories. This is a 12 year old boy who did not find the stories of his faith unwanted homework but a fascinating and living history of God's (his father's) redemptive work in the world. It was the time of Passover and the stories of the Exodus where being told and discussed. I think it was Jesus' fresh reading of God's powerful and faithful action to save his people against all human odds that amazed those who heard his joy and insights.

In Jesus' day, a mother taught her son for the first couple of years. As a young child the father would take over this teaching responsibility. At 12 a boy moved into adulthood. Now his teacher became the text, those old stories of God's redemptive work in his world; the work of love and justice - of compassion and grace - of freedom and faithful service. It was this text that was to lead him as he entered into the work of his Father in the world.

I also think Luke included this story of Jesus at 12 to engage the all important 12 year old audience. What 12 year old, who has been given the opportunity to "wonder" about this story, has not delighted in the contours of how it plays out; on his own for three days in the big city, impressing everyone with his wit and insights, even the freedom to respond to his parents with a little 12 year old "I know it all" sarcasm. Mary reminds us that he was a good boy (he was obedient to them) but Luke reminds us he was a 12 year old in all the glory of one coming to himself as he grows up in the wisdom and knowledge of God. What a role model to have at 12! I think Luke wanted more 12 year olds (and kids in general) getting up close and personal with this amazing Jesus.

So the new ending... You can check out the recording of the sermon to hear the new end (when I get it posted). I got so crazy about what I missed that I went back in the studio (well the sanctuary) to rerecord.

Enjoy... and as always drop me an email, or call me, and let me know what you think.

Recording coming soon...

Called Like Abraham - 2-17-08

2008-02-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

This Sunday we took a look at the call of Abraham to be a Blessing in this world. The questions we asked of the text ranged from "what was it about God's promise that would be compelling enough to get Abraham to leave his comfortable, manageable life?" to "what was it in Abraham, or in us, that allows someone to be a blessing even when it does not serve us well?" As you listen to the sermon I hope it will draw you into places where you might risk yourself in a quest to enter into God's work of blessings all of creation.

It seems to be taking about 20 sec. for this recording to start. Thanks for listening...

Singing about peace...

2007-11-27T09:46:00.000-08:00

I have been teaching music to the three kindergarten classes at Berkeley Art Magnet School in Berkeley for the past few months. The teachers and principle say they really value what I am doing with the kids. This is great. I love being able to serve the children of our neighborhood. I thought you might like to see my latest posting on my "Little Bird Music for Kids" blog. I am amazed at all countries represented by people accessing my kid music blog.

Reporting from my small place on the corner of Virgina and Milvia in Berkeley.

I have been playing this old negro spiritual for as long as I have been playing music with kids. It is an upbeat song with lots of great hand motions. I like the positive affirmation that we get to sing of having "peace like a river", "joy like a fountain", "and love like an ocean... in my heart".

I have changed the words from soul to heart when I sing this song with school kids. When using hand motions it makes more sense to say heart and touch your heart with both hands than to try and explain what a soul is to kids (like I know).

You can listen to me and my 7 year old granddaughter singing the song on this player. (My granddaughter has been singing "backup" in a kids country band which might account for the "twang" that she insist on adding to all my songs.)

Peace River.mp3

I've Got Peace Like A River
I just play a simple G C D progression

Verse 1:
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river in my heart
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river in my heart

Verse 2:
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain in my heart (x2)

Verse 3:
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean in my heart (x2)

After singing each verse we combined all the verses (peace like a river, joy like a fountain, love like an ocean in my heart). This requires the kids to follow directions and listen more closely. Often we end the song like this... I've got peace, joy, love, like a river, fountain, ocean... starting very slowly and finishing singing very fast. Makes for some grand silliness.

Here are the hand motions...
peace = make the 2 finger peace sign
river = dance fingers along in from of you like running river water
joy = use fingers to make a smile on your face
fountain = smash hands together and lift to the sky like splashing water
love = hug yourself
ocean = churn hands make a breaking wave motion
heart = bring both hands to your heart

A note about authorship.
Most everyone list this song as traditional negro spiritual but I have found a couple of references to the song being written by Mosie Lister. If Mr. Lister did write the song here is the copy write information.

©1970 Mosie Lister Songs (Admin. by The Copyright Company)
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
CCLI song #3247635

sunday reflections: a widow, seven dead husbands, angels, the bush story and my friend beva

2007-11-11T19:47:00.000-08:00

I DID IT!!!
I guess I should not get so excited about being able to record my sermon on Sunday, but I am. After all those years of sermon tapes (I just tossed out a few hundred old tapes) I am now putting digitally recorded sermons on my blog. This means... first that I will never have to throw out a sermon tape again =] and that anyone, anytime, anywhere (they have an Internet connection) can listen to what I am saying to my people on Sunday mornings. I think that is very cool...

This week I shared my thoughts (and findings) about the story of some Sadducees (high minded, well healed Jewish leaders) who are trying to sidetrack Jesus from a very successful entrance into Jerusalem earlier in the week (Luke 20:27-38). Most of the sermon reflects on why I think Jesus shakes his head at the question from the sadducees thinking what "sad-duc-ees" they are. I also shared a story about my wonderful friend who is teaching me about what Jesus means when he says; "in God, they are all alive!"

Enjoy!

To download the message just click on this LINK . It is in "MP3" format.

sunday reflections: thoughts about sycamore wood pews

2007-11-06T15:55:00.000-08:00

I ended my thoughts to the congregation on Sunday with a proposal.

What if we replace our pews with sycamore trees? You know, the trees made famous in the story of Jesus and the vertically challenged Zacchaeus. (I even shared my "wishful thinking" that possibly our pews were made of the wood of this holy, unpredictable, in cahoots with Jesus, tree.)

I know this seem like a radical idea but think about it...

a sycamore orchard in our church would have many advantages.

It certainly would give our church some attention. It is one thing to tell people we are a multicultural church. When I share with folks about our church they find it interesting but their interest seldom gets them to church for a visit. Telling them we have planted a sycamore orchard in our sanctuary - now that would be an irresistible "come and see." I guess usher duties would include tree trimming and some cultivation training.

Another plus - I understand that the sycamore tree that Zuccheaus climbed produced a fig like fruit. This could be a great fund raiser for the youth. They could set up a stand at the farmers market selling "sanctified sycamore figs." It might also encourage a switch from grape to fig juice. Fresh fig juice must be good for you. One of the drawbacks is the fact that only this one kind of little wasp can fertilize the fruit of the tree but I can see another youth fund raiser coming on... insect repellent?

I could see there would be more advantages. With all that extra oxygen trees produce it would be much easier for people to say awake during sermons and we would not have to drive anywhere to have a church picnic.

Now, understanding how the church works, there will have to be committees formed to deal with new issues posed by our unique sanctuary furnishings. There would mostly likely be a "tree cushion fund" committee formed and of course a liturgical decoration committee that will have to figure out how to decorate our trees for the Advent season (ornaments? lights? fake snow?). We will also have to figure out ways to receive the offering with folks sitting in trees (long handles attached to the collection plates? a sophisticated pulley system? paper airplanes?)

Now this is all very interesting to me but let me get back to why I made my proposal.

It seemed to me that the reason Jesus called out to Zacchaeus was because he was so ready for Him. Here's Zacchaeus, robe pulled up to his knees, dropping all pretensions, up in the trees with the children of the village, hanging over the road, waiting for Jesus.

I don't think he had any idea where this would lead but it he was ready. When Jesus does call to him he about falls out of the tree and after breaking bread with Jesus in his home he enters a new place in his life.

That day Zacchaeus was welcomed at the table of the family of God (a child of Abraham) and he moved from the Kingdom of Disproportion (Walter Brueggermann's description of our unjust, commercial driven, anxiety filled world) to the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ. He transfers his dependence on the power of money for the loving embrace of God's grace.

That salvation came to Zacchaeus' house that day was not only good news for his family but good news for the whole village. What with 1/2 of the richest man in town's money being fed into the social welfare system all those poor kids would now have proper health care. That would be good news in any land.

I have an active imagination. Before I made my proposal of an orchard in the sanctuary I could already see my people perched on their sycamore branches, waiting for Jesus' call, anticipating where God would lead them next. It made my words more important. You are careful of what you say when you think people are listening.

It seems to me that this is the way we should be coming to church. The church pews should be a dangerous place where we have put ourselves within ear shot, within sight, of Jesus' words that shake the world and shake our lives. We should be sitting on the edge of our pews, like sycamore branches we have climbed, teetering on every word Jesus says, and we should be ready to climb down from the pew when called that we might enter into the good work God is doing in the world.

reporting from my small sycamore branch in the world

32nd Annual Lessons and Carols at SFTS

2007-11-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

Myrna and I have attended Lessons and Carols at SFTS many times. It is a wonderful way to start our reflections during Advent. We are planning on going on Sunday, December 2. If others would like to join us we might be able to go up early getting to see the campus and have dinner together. Let me know if you are interested.

32nd Annual Lessons and Carols at SFTS: "San Francisco Theological Seminary will once again host its Advent/Christmas service Dec. 1-2 at 7 pm. The theme for this year's candlelight service is 'Illumination' taken from Isaiah 60:19. Will feature readings from scripture and special music, with each 'lesson' concluding with congregational singing of carols. Reception outside on the Geneval Terrace will follow. Free. Arrive early for good seating."

sunday reflections: "out of memory"

2007-11-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

darn modern technology. I have been trying to record my sermons lately for a number of reasons.

One, I am taking a Dr. of Ministry Class in January and I have to present a couple of recent sermons for class examination - Ugh :( have not done that in awhile.

Two, It is good for me to listen to past sermons. I am not saying it is always fun but it is good to hear what comes out of my mouth after all that planning and work. I have a tendency to throw in more than I sometimes intended in my notes. Recording sermons (and knowing I will have to listen to them later) has had a positive effect on the quality of the sermons (in my partner's estimation as well as my own).

Three, I hope these recorded sermons are helpful for those who miss a Sunday or want to "review" and see if I really said what they thought I said.

Anyway... with all good intentions I was not able to record the sermon this past Sunday. When I went to push the record button on my little digital recorder I got the message "out of memory." This was not good news for a pastor just standing up to preach his "without notes" sermon. It was such a relief when I realize that the memory issue was the recorder's and not mime that not being able to record the sermon seemed a very small problem.

Anyway... I have taken care of the memory problem and have great hopes of recording next week's sermon.

not recording from my small place in the world

sunday reflections: good guys, bad guys, a royal flush and ¡No más!

2007-10-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

He moves closer to the gilded card table. God does not look up, he is busy with all the Godly things that keeps God so busy. He steps closer and ask God if they can play a hand of poker. God says there is no need, "just head on over to the banquet feast, we have been waiting for you." He moves in closer and with a whisper, "God, you will not believe the cards I'm holding. Can't we play just one hand?" God makes a sweeping jester towards the banquet, "no need, just join the party. It's all prepared for you." The pharisee presses his case, "But I have a hand even you won't believe. Look, the ace of spades - perfect attendance and the king of spades - fasting you know." God places his hand on the hand of the Pharisee, "Your cards are no good here. The house always wins. You know that. Don't play me..." With one last rejected plea the Pharisee turns from the gilded table intent on playing his hand.
_________________
This past Sunday I shared my reflections on the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in the temple praying. It is one of the stories that the teacher Jesus shares with the folks who have been following him on his way to Jerusalem. This particular story is addressed to,"those who can be a bit self righteous at times and find some joy in pointing out a scoundrel with they see one." Speaks to me...

You can find this teaching of Jesus in Luke 18:9-14. There is a link to the text here.

If you want to listen to the message just press the play arrow below. Just before I started the sermon a couple of kids came running though the Sanctuary obviously playing hid and seek. After asking them to leave it dawned on me that they are not the only ones playing hid and seek in church today. Aren't we all playing a bit of a hid and seek with God? It's a favorite game of us humans.

To download the message just click on this LINK . It is in "MP3" format.

Please, please let me know of any problems you have listening to the message. This is an experiment and I would like to work out the bugs.

Reporting on the text from my(our) small place in the world

Singing and Dancing for Peace!

2007-10-27T21:16:00.000-07:00

Events are always better when shared with those you love!

Today I had the pleasure of marching for peace with my wife, youngest son and his girl friend.

The pleasure was being able to not only join with what is estimated to be 30,000 people committed to peace but also to spend time with three of the most incredible people I know.

I am so thankful for all the work the organizers did to pull this event off. They were able to get all those independent minded peace groups together for a common cause. For a day 30,000 people marched in unity for 2 miles through the streets of San Francisco in a peaceful demonstration of defiance.

Because we were with two young people of color we were asked to join the front of the march. This was great because this was where the action was. For the entire two hours of the march we sang, chanted, protested with a "die-in" in respect for those who have died, and we danced (you can get a feel for the dance in the video of my son and a strolling troubadour).

I would love to tell you more about my son and his girl friend but this is my blog and not their's. It is enough to say that I feel very good about putting the future of our world in the hands of young people like them. They are smart, passionate and committed to causes of justice for those who are being left behind and besides, they make everything we do more fun. (again, check out the video)

I guess the very best best part of the day though was getting to spend time with my wife doing something we both feel so strongly about. I don't know how I got so lucky to find a partner who shares my values and my heart.

I am glad I made that promise to my grandkids this summer to speak out against the insanity of these past 5 years of war. I hope they will be inspired by what we have done to join with us when it is their time to stand up and try to make a difference for good.

Reporting, with tired feet, from my small place in the world.

marching for peace!

2007-10-26T12:22:00.001-07:00

Now is the time to set your alarm for the march!
A time to stand up for Peace.

Meet at the North Berkeley Bart at 9:30am.

Put on your best walking shoes for a 1.8 mile march
from the SF Civic Center to Dolores Park.

Join with 1os of 1000s of others all over the country
calling on our leaders to find a new way to Peace!

reporting for peace from my small place in the world

join us on the march this saturday - October 27

2007-10-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

This coming Saturday I will be joining with some of my family as we marching with 1000s of people from the San Francisco Civic Center to Dolores Park. You can get more information about this national event here.

I know this will not stop the war in Iraq but I do feel our leaders need to know that many American's want them to find a new way to bring about peace in our world. As a Christian I believe I need to stand up for what I believe. I what our leaders to know that I will vote for them if they take the risk of standing up for peace.

I also know I will not agree with everything that is being said by people who speak out at the march but I do join them in seeking a new way of peace.

If you would like to join us in the march give me a call. We will be meeting at the North Berkeley BART at 9:30am on Saturday. 510-435-4264

preparing to march in my small little place in the world

The Great "Multicultural" Jesus Feast!

2007-10-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

If you want to get a feel for what life is going to be like in God's Kingdom you'd best find a good feast. I give that advice after reading and studying the bible for many years. You can't miss it. A feast is Jesus' favorite way of inviting us to celebrate good news. From long days on the mount to the return of wayward sons the feast is Jesus' preferred metaphor to help us understands God's generous blessing.

I am guessing that humans have understood the importance of the feast, as the required element of moments of celebration, from the time we figured out how to prepare a menu. The difference from Jesus' feast and the human feast is who we find around the table.

Most if not all our feast have a carefully planned invitation list that includes family and friends with a few neighbors scattered about. Jesus seems to have an open invitation policy for all the banquet feast that he presides over with the notable presence of strangers and outcast, sojourners, widows and folks that never ever got invited to a feast before.

So let me tell you about the unusual "Jesus Feast" we are hosting at Calvary this week.

The food will be provided by all the invited guess with a great deal of help by some professional chefs. At this first banquet cooking class we will be specializing in foods from China.

The guest list will include a diverse group from Calvary as well as strangers (soon to be friends) we met at the Spice of Life Festival. Wouldn't you love to join our feast? It's an open invitation, Jesus style.

I think Jesus will be pleased at what we have learned about putting on a Jesus Feast.

If you want to be part of this banquet feast, or future feast, let me know. 510-435-4264

Reporting from my small (but tasty) place in the world.

Chinese Cooking Class - October 26, 2007

2007-10-23T15:42:00.001-07:00

Learn to Cook!

(and eat it, too!)

Join Us for a Fun and Delicious

Hands-On Cooking Class

Featuring

Traditional Chinese Fare

Pork and Vegetable Potstickers

Crispy Spring Rolls

Stir-Fried Chinese Vegetables

Shrimp Fried Rice

Sushi

Chinese-style Tapioca

Bring a Friend!

Kids are Welcome!

$10 food donation, limited space

Thursday, October 25, 6pm

Calvary Presbyterian Church Kitchen

1940 Virginia Ave, Berkeley

Call 510.435-4264 or Email office@calpresberkeley.org

reflections from sunday - a widow, a judge, rodney king, mother watson & faith

2007-10-22T13:45:00.001-07:00

Being the co-pastor of a small multicultural church is never dull. My duties range everywhere from being an emergency plumber to spending an afternoon comforting a 90 year old friend by his hospital bed. I love working with youth, playing folk music with kindergardners, teaching new member classes, discovering the complexities of being multicultural, moderating our boards and helping guide our committees.

But of all the things I do the most important one comes together on Sunday morning.

I have been set apart by my community, both local and national, to spend much of my time digging into words and stories of our text. I was supported by the church to go to seminary to learn the skills of Biblical study. All week long I have the passages for the coming Sunday on my mind and in my heart. As I wrestle with the text I look for the word that will help my community (as well as me). I look for the word that God would have us hear. On Sunday morning I step out from among the community to share my reflections on their behalf.

This past Sunday we looked at the parable of the widow and the unjust judge.

You can find this teaching of Jesus in Luke 18:1-8. There is a link to the text here.

If you want to listen to the message just press the play arrow below.

To download the message just click on this LINK . It is in "wma" format.

Please let me know of any problems you have listening to the message. This is an experiment and I would like to work out the bugs.

Reporting on the text from my(our) small place in the world

Holy Communion, George, Accessorizing, Bill O’Reilly, Free Samples, and GOD (in caps)

2007-10-17T22:01:00.000-07:00

Please don't mention a word of what I am about to say to the polity folks in my presbytery. I am always telling my interns to say as they say and not as I say and do when it comes to communion. At least not until they are ordained.

This week Holy Communion made The San Francisco Chronicle. My friend called me and said, "can you believe it? Communion on the front page of the Chronicle!" and he added, "I would love to see your take on it.” So here goes...

Lots of folks from fellow Catholics to Bill O'Reilly where apparently offended even appalled by the Archbishop of SF allowing two members of the sisters of perpetual indulgence to receive Holy Communion a few Sundays ago. (I used to share beer, peanuts and theological conversation with the archbishop on many Wednesday afternoons at his Seminary in Camarillo in the mid 80s. He was Father George at the time. Good guy but he never seemed like the San Francisco type to me.) I can see how the actions of The Sisters could be offensive. I enjoy their antics at parades and their outlandish accessorizing but only from a distance. I am guessing that some of the details of their lifestyle I would find offensive to my sensibilities. But that is not the point of this blog, it is about communion and who gets it.

I am a little disappointed in Father George in that he felt like he needed to apologies for his actions at worship on October 7^th. (Someone videoed part of the worship service/scene of the crime on their mobile phone. So 2007! See for yourself.)

From what I have read and seen I don’t think I would have withheld communion to these two men/women on that day. I think Father George did the right thing in serving them. Instead of an apology I wish he would have issued a clarification of his actions. What a great teaching moment, on the front page of the SF Chronicle. Go for it church man! I would have loved it if he had changed the focus from the people involved in the act to the God of Grace and Mercy and Love.

I am not surprised that the article in the Chronicle focused mostly on the people. (I do think the article was a good one that treated the church's position fairly). What else is their in our world? Father George senses trouble in the ranks. He issues an apology. In his apology he said he didn't recognize either as wearing "mock religious garb.” Looking at the video I find that hard to believe. I guess only in San Francisco a couple of guys can dress like crazy, white faced, psychedelic nuns for church and have no one notice. (Hu... I wonder what his regular nuns look like?) Good ole Bill O’Reilly sees a choice opportunity to rail against those Godless, left wing, left coast liberal freaks. what's new? But what about God?

Holy Communion is not about us, it’s all about God. It’s about the grace of God that has the power to transform us. It’s about our holy meal that we believe gives us the nourishment we need for the journey. It’s about that audacious claim of Christians that around this table we find the grace we need to be a family, in spite of ourselves.

Now for my confession but no apology. (This is the part I don’t want cut and pasted to my Presbytery Executive)

My denomination requires that we Presbyterian ministers only give communion to people who have been baptized. In our invitation to the table we are to say, “all those who are baptized” before we invite folks to receive the elements. It says it right in The Book of Order I can not do this. My invitation has always gone something like, “All those seeking after God…” or “All those seeking to come closer to Christ…” “…are invited to this table of God’s grace.”

I remember the first time I officiated over the communion table and saying “only the baptized” words. In reflection I regretted that I had limited anyone from coming to the table and I vowed to never participate in the required act of fencing our holy table again. I guess, as a good Presbyterian and parliamentarian, I should do what it takes to change our Book of Order to allow this but I don’t want to do that either. Time is short and I guess I believe the only folks who should care about my illegal invitation are those who act on the invitation and come to receive the grace of God, even in their pre-baptized state.

I guess I could sum up my theological stance on Communion and Baptism and who we invite to the table with; “I am a big fan of free samples!” (just watch me at Trader Joes…)

If your product is good enough it will sell itself and what an incredible product I am hawking on the first Sunday of the month! (only once a month?!?! That is another grip of mine but I have not figured out how to sneak that into the service each week with no one noticing.)

I believe Communion is an effectual, evangelist sacrament. I have seen way too many people receive that little piece of Hawaiian Sweet Bread and plastic cup of Welch’s Grape Juice with tears in their eyes not to believe that God is at work in this meal, that God is not present in some mysterious, powerful way when we come to God’s table of grace.

To heck with what people think, this is about God and God’s presence in our Holy Meal. So what if some crazy, passionate, defiant, justice seeking, fully accessorized San Franciscans come to the table asking to be fed. Why in the world would you want to send them away denying them a generous portion of God's grace for the living of their lives? As my friend Piece Pettis says in a song, they might not believe in God, but God believes in them.

I am hoping that Father George’s apology was one of those “it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission things" and that when this all dies down he will do the same thing again.

I was pleased by the email that one of The Sisters (sic) wrote to the Archbishop. The Sister goes by the name of Delta Goodhand, I hope she was, "Just a quick note to recognize the wonderful mass yesterday at your Church. Your entire congregation was so welcoming and it was great to be able to participate. You are a wonderfully inclusive Church." Preach it brother… yer Sister… what ever…

Reporting from my small but fascinating place in the world…

PS you might want to check out my friend monte's take on this same event Just click here

time to stretch, check my pulse, look back, look ahead & set a course for the future

2007-10-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

Warning... if you are not my mom you might find this post a little on the boring side as in "why do I care?", but if you do get through it I would appreciate; any helpful hints in shaping this "work in process", as well as your prayers.

I just turned 55. I am in my 9th year serving in my present church and my 26th year of ordained ministry. I am at a point in my life where I am anticipating 10 more years of full time paid work in the church. This year my wife and I celebrated our 20th anniversary and our youngest of 6 children went off to college. (whew... with a wipe of the brow and a sense of accomplishment) My church is in good shape. We know who we are, which I think is a huge accomplishment, but maybe a little weak is seeing where we are going.

In this context it seems like a good time for me to reflect, recharge and open myself to where God will lead in the next decade of my journey of faith as well of the journey of those with whom I travel. Sabbatical Time!!!

For the past two years I have been trying to get one of those big fat Lilly Foundation grants to fund a sabbatical. It was fun looking at all the wild possibilities of having $40,000 of sabbatical cash but I must admit I got a little tired just planning all the wild possibilities of spending that kind of loot.

Now I am on plan B and it feels more like me. More time on a bike than a plane and retreat time on the Northern California coast instead of Bali.

The new plan revolves around a D.Min. class at Fuller Seminary (preaching taught by William Willimon), the Presbyterian version of the 8 day CREDO Retreat (To provide opportunities for clergy to examine significant areas of their lives and to discern prayerfully the future direction of their vocation as they respond to God's call in a lifelong process of practice and transformation), and the possibility of attending a conference for pastor's and their significant others in doing ministry in the small church (funding by the Lily Foundation, thank God for lily).

If I attend all these events this leaves me with about 9 weeks (does that sound sweet) for reading and writing for my D.Min class, taking some unhurried weekends away with Myrna (my most significant other), attending worship in some interesting places where I am not leading, journaling, being spiritually directed, working my garden, playing my guitar and with my grandchildren, sprucing up my old dissertation for self- publication, and of course, riding my bike. Have you started to drool yet?

At this point I am looking at taking this time "away" from mid-April to through mid-July. I would also take a week off at the end of January to take the D.Min. class. As always, details have to be worked out with my Session and our trusty occasional preachers of whom are so found of.

truly a report from my one small place in the world...

the post in the dirt - a modern day fairy tale

2007-10-08T22:08:00.001-07:00

As an eleven year old boy I was totally taken by the movie "The Sword in the Stone." It's the fairy tale of a small (skinny) little boy who's true identity was hidden until he was able to remove the king's sword from the stone. A little skinny boy who is really heir to the King. What an exciting thought for an eleven year old (69 lb.) me. Every time I went to Disneyland I approached the stone (as seen in the picture to your right) but my true identity remained hidden.

This past Sunday was our "Opportunity to Serve" day at Church. A couple times a year we invite our congregation to stick around after church to help with family chores at our church home.

We changed light bulbs, did some gardening, polished pews and woodwork, did major repair on some lighting standards, washed some windows and much more but surprisingly the focus of much of our day's work was spent removing two misplaced posts in the front of the church.

Now this did not seem like much of a job. The post were just 6 foot tall wooden 4x4's which had been put in cement a couple of months ago for the mounting of a sign that was not to be. Removing them was almost an afterthought. "Hey, and by the way, lets pull those post out while we are at it."

Seemed simple enough. To make the job easier someone had the foresight to bring one of those big heavy pointed steel rods you use for breaking up cement or rocks, even big boulders. This was going to be easy.

Now I missed the first part of the job. From what I could tell the removal of the first post was pretty straight forward. The team consisted of the foreman (he had the big steel rod so that makes you the foreman), a couple of young women and a four year old boy. They had the first post out in no time. When I got on the scene things were getting interesting as they were in the process of removing the second post.

Unlike the compliant first post the second post was a stubborn little guy. All the preparation that was done on the first post was repeated for the second. A hole was dug around the post, the big steel rod was used to break off as much of the cement as they could. Now it was time to remove the post. Just pull it out. No luck. Lets try rocking it a bit more. No budge. Let try rocking it a lot. Still the post did not move an inch. By this time others had started to gather around each with their own ideas about how to remove the post.

It seemed easy enough to each new eye. Some thought we just needed a bigger hammer. No. For another, a chain and a big truck. No. We might knock a hole in the building (we had already knocked a hole in the irrigation system). But it looked so easy to each new observer, "why can't they just pull it out."

As the project gathered more attention the problem solving ideas grew more creative. What about tying a rope to it, host the rope over a shoulder and pull it out with brute force? Grunt... Grunt... Grunt. No.

This was getting to the guys by now. This was us against the post. This was becoming a matter of pride. We would prevail.

What about tying four ropes to the post getting people on each rope and wurling ourselves around the post until we twist it out of the ground ("I find wurling always works" said the 14 year old teen who concocted the plan.) The picture of four grown men "wurling" themselves around this little post like a May Day dance was enough to kill this idea.

About now the name of the ancient Greek mathematician, physicist and engineer Archimedes was invoked. "With a long enough lever I can move the world", but apparently Archimedes had never come head to head with our little post, our little immovable object.

By now the ideas were flying. I counted 19 people gathered around this mythical post that would not be moved when someone quietly suggested that we build a tall scaffolding between the post and the truck, fasten a cable to the post, put the cable over the scaffolding, attach it to the truck and host the post up and out of the ground. This would be collaborator realized what over kill this was almost before he got it out of his mouth. We both smiled.

This went on for nearly an hour. As people finished their jobs they came to observe the spectacle as well as inject their own ideas. What a wonderful day for a preacher with an eye for finding the profound in the ordinary.

As I lay in bed that night I thought of my mythical sword in the stone. I thought how badly I had wanted to be like that little boy in the fairy tale who discovered his greatness and the adventure that would ensue. Then it dawned on me that without ever removing the sword I had discovered my greatness in the knowledge and experience of being a child of God, a rightful heir of all that God had given to God's children and the adventure that I experience as a partner with God.

Then I thought about our experience with our post in the dirt. It was pretty disappointing when it was decided to just cut off the post and cover the stump with dirt. This little post had defeated us all but in the process we had discovered something about ourselves, about our true identity. We are becoming a family, partners in ministry.

As I looked back at the faces gathered around that magical post that afternoon I saw a montage of faces, young and old, east and west, like a beautiful rainbow of God's blessed children inexplicably drawn into the shape of the family of God.

Are you a Minister? - Who’s Reformed Theology? - My Heart’s OK ! – How about You?

2007-10-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

Been an interesting day…

I can’t figure out how they can tell but folks seem to smell “pastor” from across the room. It is always a little unnerving. Why can’t it be… “are you a skydiver?” or “are you a secret agent?” but I have gotten pretty use to being pegged as a pastor type. (mystery writer would be cool).

I know many more people spy the minister than speak to him. When they do speak I wonder what their motives are?

Last week it led to a delightful conversation with an old, Berkeley type, Jewish guy about the state of the world and how religious communities are a place of refuge in this world’s storms. We talked about the power of the communities’ songs and friendships. I was glad to be found out that day.

Today I’m afraid the motive was “theological purity.” I never do very well on this test.

I started innocently enough. “Are you a professor or a minister?” I have found it is better to be honest about this question. It is embarrassing when you get caught in the lie and it turns out you are a minister. “Oh, where do you pastor?” Honest is the best policy though I hope I don't embarrass my church. “Oh… I go to the OPC” (Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the most conservative wing of my little Presbyterian family). I am a little uneasy. I don’t preach this week so I have planned to get in some extra reading and I can see my reading time evaporating.

Folks in the OPC take their theology very seriously. If the truth be known, many OPC lay people take theology much more seriously then I do. Soon we are into a conversation that is moving toward debate with each new topic (doctrine). I can see the divided between our approach to theology widening as she tells me how she was talking to her niece the other day about how important theology is – and points out to me that without good theology her niece could so easily fall into the hands of a demonic cult… and adds “what I have seen since coming to Berkeley” with a smirkie smile and almost wink saying - you know… But I don’t know and kind of wanted to ask but thought that might be in bad taste.

After way too much time (reading, like the sands of time, slipping way) and some uneasiness on my part (I think talking theology across tables at a café is very bad manners) I told her that I thought God was smiling kindly down on our theologizing and how all our attempts at theology would look silly in the light of God’s truth and presence. I knew this would not sit well with my new friend but I thought saying it might be fun on Monday morning.

Her response was to raised her eyebrows saying in an indignant way “Silly?” as to say “your theology might be silly but not mine.”

Now, from past experience, I could see we were coming close to the moment when my life calling as a pastor was going to be called into question.

Right at this critical moment about a dozen two and three year olds where deposited by their teachers next to me on my bench. (God works in mysterious ways.) I could not help but notice a little boy dressed up like a doctor (he was almost sitting on my lap). When I asked what he had around his neck he showed me. He put his stethoscope in his ears, put it to my chest, and declared that my heart was good. "Thanks Doc" I said, he smiled. I helped him put on his shoe. It was a nice exchange. After a short conversation with a couple of three foot tall police officers I looked up and my OPC friend was gone. Soon the teacher came back with snacks from Acme Bread and the kids were on their way.

Before I took up my book again I thought about how much more I liked the conversation about a good heart and helping each other than debating theology. How about you?

Reporting from my small place in the world...

tip of the day #7 - clap on, clap off - GOD!

2007-09-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

Found this and thought some folks out there might find it interesting.
Kind of "The Office meets Genesis/Creation" thing.

Clap On...

blogging toward sunday - "which one of you?"

2007-09-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

Our passage this week is Luke 15:1-10 (just click on this the underlined text to see the passage).

This is the passage about the lost sheep and the lost coin. They are wonderful stories of the passionate search for the lost. Great news if you have a sense of your lost-ness, otherwise...

I like how Jesus starts these parables; "Which one of you... would leave the 99 sheep and go on a dangerous search for that one little lost sheep?" I guess, during children's time, we would like to raise our hands to Jesus' question with "ME, ME!" but I wonder, as balance the checkbook adults, what our real response would be to Jesus? I am guessing their were few raised hands that warm summer day in Palestine.

The reality is the shepherd's action is just, as one commentator put it, loopy on the shepherd's part. This silly shepherd seems as misguided as that farmer who wastes the valuable seed on feeding the birds, the father who welcomes his ungrateful son home with no cost, or the rich man who commends his dishonest manager for cooking the books. Not only would we not raise our hands as ones who would act this way but we might find it hard to resist correcting Jesus or asking him to repeat himself - for we could not have heard what we thought I heard?

I had a chance to hear Garrison Keiller speak at the Art and Lectures Series on Tuesday night. As always he spoke many memorable lines. With this passage in mind one thing he said stood out for me.

"God writes comedies but we are not always the best audience. We don't always get the jokes."

In our passages from Luke's gospel the past couple of weeks Jesus is sharing parables with his would-be followers about the nature of the Kingdom of God to which he invites them to enter. It is an odd place of justice where the rules seems to be turned upside down, shook-up and laid waste.

It is not any easier today than it was in Jesus' day to enter into this world of God's way - of extravagant grace, love that does not count cost, and abundance beyond measure. We have lived so long in a world ruled by market driven scarcity that we hardly know what to make of a world where there is so much "cup overflowing" love that you can allow love to take you into the dangerous and unknown in search of a lost little lamb and still have enough love leftover for the pack of 99 who await (a bit begrudgingly) your return.

I think what Garrison was talking about was what happens when the lost sheep is found and at home at last. Jesus' picture of this homecoming includes of all things - rejoicing angels. It's the joke that the actions of an irresponsible, thoughtless, "someone could have gotten killed" little sheep is the very act that causes God to invite the angels - as well as all creation - (and you and me) to a huge banquet feast with great rejoicing! If you are the 99 it makes you laugh (or pisses you off) because you didn't see it coming, how could you? If your the lost one, it makes you cry - for joy.

Just some reflections as we make our way to Sunday...

songs as group therapy

2007-09-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

We just started the fall singing program at Rockridge Little School last week. I try and report to the parents what is going on with music at the school on their blog. Here is my offering for this week.

Music with Karl -September 25, 2007

It was good to get back to singing with your children today. It is fun that we have so many songs we already know and a number of songs that have become favorites with the kids. I know our new friends will catch on quickly. It is so nice to be part of a program with such a rich and diverse program. Coming to Rockridge Little School is such an adventure. As I look around at all the projects going on I wish I could just hang out and create with them.

Today we added a couple of new songs to our mix.

One song is called “It hasn’t been a very good day”. Each morning, when I first step into the circle with the children, I am greeted with a litany of their cuts, scraps and recent (and not so recent) mishaps. These are real hurts for them and I know that many were accompanied with tears. The song is a cleave way of putting these hurts into a community song and recognizing life with its ups and downs, joys and sorrows.

Here’s how the song goes…
When I got up, I spilled my milk, spilled my milk, spilled my milk
When I got up, I spilled my milk, and it hasn’t been a very good day

Chorus (very upbeat and whimsical)
It hasn’t been a very good day so far. It hasn’t been a very good day.
It hasn’t been a very good day so far. It hasn’t been a very good day.

We added verses like…
“When I fell down, I skinned my knee” and “Playing with blocks I pinched my finger"

What I like about the song is that is recognizes that our hurts are real but when put into a song and shared them with the community it does not seem to hurt as much anymore.

Wouldn’t be great if we all learned this song and when your child (or you) are having just one of those “not very good days” you can break out this song and just maybe it would change the course of your day. That is really what our singing is about.

In Song, Karl

silence - prayer - finland - kindergardners - fasting - and a walk for Peace

2007-09-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

I have 3 grandkids who think I am pretty special.

I am the grandpa who pulls them in his bike trailer, takes them on urban hikes, plays guitar - singing and dancing with them- and they believe I stand up for children and Peace. This is a specialness that I seek to live-into.

This Fall I am witnessing my stand for children and peace in a several ways.

On Sunday morning I participate with a group of folks who have chosen to set aside 5 minutes of silent prayer for peace each week. We pray silently in many languages and from many different points of view but we pray together. What a power I find in this time of community prayer.

In my weekly and daily prayers I feel called to stand with those who know that peacemaking is not forced on others but a gracious act of listening, learning, valuing others with all their hurts and fears and stories. From this dialog true peacemaking comes to fruition. My prayers are with those who bravely meet in Finland a few weeks ago to do this kind of peacemaking work.

Next week I will start singing with the 3 kindergarten class at Berkeley Arts Magnet School. The songs we will sing will give the kids the gift of songs that lift up; life, abundance, love, friendship, family, the earth and each and every person made by God. These are songs that build a foundation for peace.

On Monday, October 8, (following World Communion Sunday) many in the faith community, include some from Calvary, will be fasting for peace. If you want to join with a group on Monday night over soup and bread to break our fast let me know.

On Saturday, October 27, I am going to join with a group marching in San Francisco. We will be lifting up our voices in a call to ending the war in Iraq. I know I will not agree with everything said by those with whom I march but I feel it is time to stand up to end the craziness of this war in Iraq. I would love it if you would like to join me and my family in this 1 1/2 mile march.

Reporting from my small (but outward looking) place in the world... PEACE!

Tip of the Day #6b - Dial Directions - This is so cool

2007-09-20T15:37:00.001-07:00

I just figured this out. You can go to "dialdirections.com" and added an event, any event.

Lets say you are having a birthday party. Go to "dialdirctions.com" and add your event. You can tell people (or put in the invitation) to call "Dir-rec-tion" and ask for directions to an event.

They say the name of the event. You might try, I don't know, maybe "karl's birthday party" (don't forget to bring a gift...) and you will get date, time and directions. The directions will be sent as a text message to their phone. How cool is that?

Reporting from my small (make a wish) place in the world...

Tip of the day #6 - Directions on your Phone

2007-09-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

Getting around the Bay Area just got easier!

A new service from "www.dialdirections.com" just started this week and it is a killer direction getter app.

I just tried it out and I now feel sure I will be able to get home quickly and safely this afternoon. (that is if I don't run into a parked car trying to read text messages on my bike!)

Here is how it works...
Just call "Dir-ect-ions" or 347-328-4667 on your mobile phone. A vary nice computer voice will ask you a few questions about where you are, where you are going and where you are coming from. When you have answered the questions you will receive a text message (or a few messages) on your phone. I tried it with a few places, like from work to home, and it worked great.It works for addresses, cross streets, chain restaurants etc, and even some events (like the Autumn Moon Festival in SF China Town and possibly the Calvary Moon Festival if I did the posting correctly). And it is FREE.

Try it out. Along with Google 411 and Jott you will be armed with all the numbers to make your mobile devise a regular Swiss Army Phone.

Reporting from my small (now with directions) place in the world...

Food on the Berkeley San Pablo Coridor - Cafe Leila

2007-09-15T22:54:00.000-07:00

This is my "Yelp" review of a new cafe near our home. I have enjoyed spending some time there reading and writing and Myrna and I enjoyed dinner there just a couple nights ago. Try it out and support a new local business. Tell Sam "the pastor" sent you.

Cafe Leila
1724 San Pablo Ave
Berkeley, CA 94702
***** 5 star rating

"How can you not love a restaurant named after the mother of the owner. Cafe Leila is a new little cafe that just opened on San Pablo one block north of University. Great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner as well as a little wifi and coffee in the afternoon. Spacious dinning areas with lots of windows, cozy coffee nook and a garden graced with many water fountains. This might be a new cafe but the owner and his family have been working in the restaurant business for over 20 years on the West Side of the bay. Most everything is made in house, organic and good. Though the cafe is presently open 7-7-7 the plan is to be open until 9pm with an expanded menu in the next few months. What a great addition to the growing multicultural food choices on San Pablo Ave in Berkeley."

Reporting from my small epicurean place in the world

Simpsonized

2007-09-13T21:45:00.001-07:00

OK this is me Simpsonized. What I would look like if I was on the Simpsons. I tried to get a gray beard but no luck. What happens when you aren't interested in what you are watching on TV.

Try it yourself

PAVAROTTI - U2 - JAMES BROWN - AND WORSHIP

2007-09-10T18:43:00.000-07:00

Myrna and I watched some specials celebrating the life of Luciano Pavarotti last night. What an incredibly talented man who made such good use of the gifts he was given.

One of the things that impressed me most was the talent he had for bringing other singers together to raise money for pressing international relief work. I have been listening to some of his collaborations with people as diverse as James Brown and Bono (singing Bono's song Miss Sarajevo), amazing!

Watching the videos done with Bono are really acts of worship for me. I was touched by the words of Ave Maria and the passion that both men brought to the song. They inspire me to move more deeply into the redemptive work that God has call us to in the world.

The third Bono and Pavarotti song is Miserere. This song was written by Italian rock star Zucchero Fornaciari with English verses written by Bono. (you can find the words here) This is just an amazing song with breath taking lyrics. Watch and pray!

Bono has written a tribute to his friend that says a lot about how he used his talents. May he rest in peace as he continues to inspire us with his songs...

Reporting from my small vantage point in the world...

Interfaith Call to "Fast for Peace" - October 8

2007-09-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

Who says Sermons don't have an effect on people. Sermons and Blogs that I worked on this Summer caused me to make a renewed commitment to do something about all the children of God who seem to be dieing needlessly in our world everyday. Myrna (my wife) and I are going to join with other people of faith in this call to fast. I invite you to join with us. I would love to hear from you if you would like to participate.

Religious Leaders Call for Interfaith Fast

We call on all Americans to join in fasting from dawn to dusk on Monday, October 8, to call for an end to the Iraq War. On this day, people of faith in local communities across our nation will act as catalysts to transform the meaning of the day from one of conquest to community and from violence to reverence.

Just as Isaiah called the People Israel to hear the Yom Kippur fast as God’s call to feed the hungry, just as Jesus fasted in the wilderness, just as Christians through Lenten fasting and Muslims through Ramadan fasting have focused on spiritual transformation, just as Mohandas Gandhi, Cesar Chavez and others drew on fasting to change the course of history, so we call on all our communities of faith to draw now on fasting as a path toward inner spiritual transformation and outward social transformation.

Ending this war can become the first step toward a policy that embodies a deeper, broader sense of generosity and community at home and in the world.

Rev. Robert Edgar

Former General Secretary

National Council of Churches USA

Rabbi Arthur Waskow

The Shalom Center

Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed

National Director

Islamic Society of North America

Rev. Michael Livingston
President
National Council of Churches USA

Rabbi Shirley Idelson

Dean

Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion

Mary Ellen McNish

General Secretary

American Friends Service Committee

Rev. William Sinkford

Executive Director

Unitarian Universalist Association

Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia

Moderator

Religions for Peace, USA

Nihad Awad

Executive Director

Council on American Islamic Relations

Rt. Rev. C. Christopher Epting
Deputy for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
The Episcopal Church

Blogging Toward Sunday - "Why We Can't Call Ourselves Christians Anymore" - September 9 - Luke 14:25-33

2007-09-04T10:46:00.000-07:00

"Why We Can't Call Ourselves Christians Anymore"

Our passage this week is Luke 14:25-33 .

As I begin reflecting on the passage today I am surprised at how concerned Jesus is about people looking foolish and doing really foolish things. He has been on this tack for much of Luke 13 & 14. It seems to me Jesus' real concern is what this foolishness will do to disgrace this new Christian community that is beginning to form.

In one instance Jesus tells a parable of a gardener who is not wise enough or diligent enough to cut down a non-producing fig tree in his garden after it has not produced in three years (Luke 13:6-7).

In the next story Luke tells how the leaders of the synagogue are so pathetically dense that they try to convince the people that the law of not working on the Sabbath should trump Jesus' compassionate healing of a poor woman that has been crippled for 18 years (Luke 13:14). How in the world did they think this argument would fly with people who had just seen a broken and useless life made whole? In a later story (Luke 14:3-4) Jesus heals again on the Sabbath and the leaders seem to have learned enough to keep quite though there disdain for him is still evident.

Luke adds a story about some people knocking on the Lord's door asking for safe refuge acting like they were old buddies (we ate and drank with you...) and how the Lord of the house called their bluff and left these phonies where they belong, weeping in the cold outside, when through the window they can see Abraham and the gang living it up around the banquet table. (Luke 13:25-28) Now these folks missed chance made them more than fools.

Last week I preached on a passage where those who push to the front tables at the banquet feast will be put to shame (disgraced) when they are escorted by the host to the back of the room where they belong. (Luke 14:8-9) Just because they think they were more important than everyone else does not mean they are.

Now this week's passage contains two examples of possible foolish moves that Jesus shares with the large crowd of possible disciples who have begun traveling with him.

Jesus' approach here it to say: "not even you are foolish enough to do this", are you?

The first example is of a farmer who starts to work on a tower to protect his land. Jesus reminds the people that if the builder can't finish what he started the unfinished tower will be a memorial to his foolishness for everyone to see.

The second example is of a King who, when he realizes his army is badly outnumbered by his enemy, seeks terms of peace rather than suffering by his people. This move assures he will be honored by the people who depend on him and so avoid the dishonor that would come from a misguided military decision. (acting on his ego and not the common good?)

I think that as Jesus speaks to the crowd of possible new disciples he is giving them/us a warning. Watch what you do because when you look foolish you make the Church of Jesus Christ look foolish as well. I have been using the word foolish but the examples Jesus uses are of a tragic foolishness that has profound ramifications for followers, for the helpless of society and the image of the Church of Jesus Christ in the world.

Let me give an example.

Our middle daughter is very active in world mission. She has had the opportunity to travel in African and China sharing the Good News by teaching, sharing music and prayer support. Not long ago she told me that she and her friends are no longer introducing themselves as Christians instead they are now saying they are "followers of Jesus." She says they are doing this because the word Christian has such a bad connotation in so much of the world. What a sad commentary. What Jesus was warning them about has happened. Our foolishness is proving tragic for the cause of Christ in the world.

For me these passages calls me to look more carefully at my own life. How is my life reflecting the goodness, justice and love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? I am inclined to look at my life in a very individualist way. I think these passages call me to look more carefully at how my actions reflect on the greater community.

As I move toward Sunday I am taking a new look at my actions and how they reflect on the good name of Jesus the Christ in my family, my neighborhood and my world.

PS. I can't stand it. I didn't want to go here but the contrast of the good and wise king in our passage today and the missteps of our present US government seems so obvious to me. What a great warning to a (so called) Christian Nation.

Who ever thought we could beat an army of terrorist with a conventional military use of force? Yesterday I heard a report on NPR about a secret gathering of representatives from Northern Ireland and South Africa sharing the lessons they learned in the peace process with leading Sunnis and Shia from Iraq. They even signed a document they call the Helsinki Agreement, which they hope will be a first step toward ending the sectarian violence in Iraq.
Now that is move that would make a great parable for Jesus. I just hope some people in the church were responsible for this secret peacemaking gathering. We should be...

Reporting from this small place in a very big and complex world...

Music, Culture, Confessions and Sandals

2007-08-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

I had a revelation about music in the life of communities yesterday. I want to write about that but first I need to make a confession.

I am a pastor but I really don't like being called "Pastor." I know there is a time and place for being called pastor. There are touching times when I am so pleased to be able to be pastoral as I pastor to those who need my care. But I am more than a pastor and I like getting to use my gifts in places where they just know me as Karl (often in a teeshirt and sandals.)

One of those teeshirt and sandal places is Rockridge Little School. I guess it is quite a coincidence that the preschool is located at the historic College Avenue Presbyterian Church and I am a Presbyterian Pastor but the school only rents from the church and when I am leading singing with the children I am only Karl. I like it that way. As Karl I am valued by my actions and not by some preconceived idea of what kind of person a pastor is.

With the confession out of the way let me get to the music stuff.

Yesterday I had the chance to lead the wonderful teachers at RLS in a discussion about music at the school. We talked about our own feelings about singing in public and we shared some of our experiences.

In general in seems we all like singing or at least being part of a group that sings. It was also shared that while we loved to sing as kids we were not necessarily encouraged in our attempts at song. As a parent you might try something other than "You can't carry a tune in a bucket" if you want your child to love singing. It was also agreed that we would like RLS to be a "singing" school and I got a deeper appreciation for why this would be a good thing during our discussion.

Two revelations from the day...
1: That our songs are our prayers.
I don't mean this in an organized religion sense. What we talked about was that songs are very close to our hearts and souls. Songs we loved as kids and youth can still have a powerful emotional effect on us today. They can make us cry and make us laugh when we least expect it. And our songs can be a way of expressing our hope and our vision and our collective dream of things being more just. "We are the world" aren't we? It seems right that as we shape the lives of these small ones in our care that we give them songs to take with them that lift up the values that we are seeking to instill in them; Values about friends and family, love and justice, nature and an appreciation of community.

2: That songs/music have been central in building and supporting community in society.
I shared an experience I had in a small township in South Africa when a group of children at an orphanage put on fabulous concert for me. I was taken by the complex parts and harmonies they sang. When I asked how long they had been practicing for the performance I was told most of them had never sung together before. They said this was their music and they all knew how to sing it. One of the teachers shared how her boy friend from Lebanon is so comfortable playing a drum and how all the kids know how to do music in his community. It is part of the culture, it is part of life, it is part of being a community.

This got us thinking about how we have become an audience in our culture and what a loss this is to our communities. I can't help but see what a good job we are doing at exporting this mentality. It is much easier to market ipods than it is folk songs I guess. The profit margin is certainly better.

I think we missing the opportunity to give our children the wonderful gift of music. Not as those that have ipods or watch American Idol but as a community voice where the effect of the music on the heart is more important than its effect on the ear. A community where everyone does music.

I will be sharing song with lots of children this Fall. I will be working with three kindergarten classes at Berkeley Arts magnet, a couple of classes at Rockridge Little School and possibly a first grade class at Rosa Parks. I also have a couple other invitations I am contemplating and of course I will be singing with my grandkids every chance I get.

What a joy, sharing music with kids. I am Blessed.

Save the Children of the World

2007-08-23T14:45:00.002-07:00

As advocates for Children we must let our leaders in Washington know we support them when they use our money wisely to help those who can not help themselves. I just received this update from the folks at ONE. Lets make our voice heard. Let those in office know that what gets our votes is not cutting taxes for folks who don't really need it (like you and me even) but doing the right thing for all God's children everywhere. Thanks for taking the time to make a difference. Blessings to all, Karl

Support the Global Child Survival Act

The U.S. Commitment to Global Child Survival Act would provide much needed funding for the fight to save the lives of the 10 million children under five who die each year from preventable causes. Right now the bill is stuck in committee and needs our support to move forward. Please enter your information below and send a message to your members of Congress.

Reporting with passion from my small place in the world

Blogging Towards Sunday - September 2 "True Humbleness..."

2007-08-23T12:55:00.001-07:00

Luke 14:1, 7-14 (see below)
I posted this passage earlier than I planned because I am going to be meeting with my friend Albert Lee tomorrow to talk about it. I think the passage has a lot to do with proper humility and I don't know anyone more properly humble than Mr. Lee. Humbleness is not very highly valued in western culture so I think I have lots to learn (Albert spent most of his life in Hong Kong).

I am working with Albert on this because I will be preaching at a combined service with English and Mandarin on September 2. Albert will be my most able translator. We have sermons in Mandarin and English every week at Calvary but it is special when we get everyone together for one translated sermon. I am excited about getting to share with all our members at one time and it is extra special because we will be gathering around the table together for the Lord's Supper.

I value your thoughts on the passage as we discern together "What God has to say to us today."

Luke 14:1, 7-14 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.

⁷When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. ⁸“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; ⁹and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. ¹⁰But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. ¹¹For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” ¹²He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. ¹³But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. ¹⁴And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

our son, industrial design, ammunition and a free iphone

2007-08-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

Sorry if I misled you - I thought I would try one of those entreating titles to get your attention But this post is important because it is about our son and his cool new job...

Our son Karson went to The California College of Art - CCA (name change... was the College of Art's and Crafts but everyone thought the graduates did basketweaving...) in The City and is an industrial designer. After graduating he has worked for four different design companies. Now he has landed back in The City (SF) (which we love as does his girl friend) and has gone to work for this edgy new startup named Ammunition. I bring this up because there is an article today in the SF Chronicle about his new boss and the company. How cool is that?

I wonder if I can get that cool new Sound Machine iPhone dock (as well as the iphone to go with it) now that I have a child in the business?

Reporting from my proud small place in the world

Blogging Towards Sunday - August 26, 2007 - Luke 13:10-17 - "The Trouble Maker"

2007-08-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

The gospel lesson for this Sunday is Luke 13:10-17

This is the powerful story of the healing of a kyphotic (humped-back) woman by a very compassionate but unruly Jesus. The way the writer Luke leads us through this story leaves me with lots of questions, lots of wondering...

I wonder why Jesus called this woman over to him? He must of known the trouble it would get him in. He must have know the attention it would attract. He must have had an idea how his actions would shame the religious leaders. He was leading them into a trap for the people to see them for who and what they really were. I wonder what required him to take such action?

I wonder what the woman was thinking when he called her to come to him? She must have grown tired of the stares, the whispers, the mocking of the children. I wonder why she came to him at all? She must have know that this would lead to no good when the synagogue leaders found themselves standing with egg on their face. I wonder if she had hope that things would change?

I wonder what it would be like to be bent over for so many years? I wonder if the woman had given up hope? I wonder what it was like not to see the sunrise and sunset? I wonder if this aliment was more than just a physical impediment? I wonder if Luke was speaking of you and me as a bit bent over ourselvesf, bent over just enough to miss some of the best God has to offer God's people?

These are the things that I am wondering about as I prepare for the sermon this Sunday. I would love to hear about what this passage causes you to wonder about.

Report from my vantage point in this small place in the world.

* I hope my friend that I stole this title (Blogging toward Sunday) from agrees that imitation is the best form of flattery. Thanks Monte...

So... you want to raise bright, happy, healthy kids...

2007-08-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

It is not easy when everyday they are being bombarded with all the material things they just have to have to be complete people (and will not have until you cave-into their constant pleas). What can you do?

Well I have an antidote to all this madness. Try singing to your kid. (or invite me to come and share music in your child's classroom). Sing songs of love. Sing songs about justice. Sing songs about nature and friends and silly songs that make you laugh and dance. Sing songs that make you feel good about yourself and the world. Sing songs that reflect your values.

Here is the Good News. I am creating a new blog called "little bird music for kids". On the blog I am sharing what I have learned about singing with Kids for the past 20 years. It will contain words of songs that I use in the classroom and the way I have been using these songs to complement a positive learning environment.

Be one of the first to check out this work in progress. Much more to follow.

"You share music with them... you share your heart"

2007-08-16T15:10:00.001-07:00

I told the dad of one of the preschoolers that I was surprised by the love shown to me by the children. He was not surprised, "You share music with them... you share your heart."

Once a week I pack up - my guitar, kazoo and holder, capo, picks, an electronic stuffed California Quail, and music I have been collecting for 37 years - and join with 40 preschoolers for an hour of singing. We sing silly songs and songs that make you cry. We sing protest songs and aerobic songs that make an old man like me breakout in a sweat. Sometimes we don't sing and just listen. Sometimes we find our neighbor's hat more interesting than the music and sometimes we find our own antics more fun than the music - until the teachers redirect us back to the music.

I have been singing with the children at Rockridge Little School since March but for a couple of weeks in July I had to take a break because of my Big Brother's death. I had received many condolences about my brother's passing but none more touching than the unexpected one I received on my return to Little School.

"Karl, Karl, Karl..." "Yes, what?" "Karl, I heard something really bad happened to your brother. I am sorry. Are you OK?" "Yes and thank you for asking" (take a deep breath and do your job). adding a couple of other voices to the conversation "I love you Karl" "I love you too..." I say Thank you again and count my blessings.

I was caught off guard by the community we have been building. We are making connections. We matter to each other in some small way. The words we are sharing are remembered. We are getting inside each others heads and hearts.

I love singing music in a group. I think singing old songs is a way of paying respect and joining with those who have gone before us. I believe that music speaks in a very special way to the head and the heart. I love singing with the kids at Rockridge Little School. I love the kids at RLS and I am so blessed that they love me.

Reporting from my small (little kid like) place in the world

I got myself into a little fix - "what shall I do?"

2007-08-12T15:33:00.001-07:00

One day on our family vacation - when I came back from my morning walk, coffee and a morning bun with my youngest grandson - I was met by two frantic grandchildren and their concerned parents.

It seems that while I was gone my almost five year old grandson had shared with his 7 year old girl cousin a conversation he had had with me on a walk the week before. Now with my return to the house they expressed their worry about my possible demise at the hands of some evil people involved in a war. The seven year old met me at the door, "they won't kill you - will they grandpa?" "What?" "Sage says they are killing people. They won't kill you - will they grandpa?"

Grandma came to my rescue reminding me of my conversation with Sage the past week when he was staying with us. Looking at me, the parents, me, she said, “You should explain grandpa.”

On our walk I had told Sage how angry I was about the on going war in Iraq and how I was going to go and tell our leaders that they needed to stop getting people killed and how I was going to go to Washington and tell them that this craziness needs to stop, NOW! etc, etc, etc.

Sage seemed pretty into it at the time and I was letting off some steam.

It seemed like a good idea to share my plans with him on our walk that day.

I was thinking about how my wife and I had taken our youngest child on marches against guns in the neighborhood and in support of the farmworkers. I was thinking about how I had marched in the city before the war started. I was thinking about how I wanted Sage to have some outrage of his own about the injustices that we face each day and the injustices he would face.

I wasn't thinking about how this would translate to a 5 year old and I certainly wasn't thinking about what their parents would think about my conversation when they couldn't get their kids to sleep at night because they thought their grandfather would be killed on his mission.

I sat down and explained to my grandchildren that no one was going to kill me and that I was not going to the place where the war was but to Washington D.C. where our leaders work. I told them I was just going to join with others in protest to the war and I was not going to get hurt in any way.

The grandkids took the explanation well and the parents seemed to be understanding, again, of my slightly bad judgment in what I said/say to their kids.

But I am not out of the woods yet.

Today when I saw my granddaughter (a full two weeks after my explanation talk) she ran up to me and whispered, "grandpa, have you gone to talk to them about the war yet?"

Before I answered I had to make a decision - a quick decision. I paused... and thought...

"No Rose, I am going to do that in the Fall" and I will - for the sake of my grandchild

Reporting from our small, but important, place in the world

Tip of the Day #7 - Peace Candles

2007-08-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

When I was back at a conference in D.C a few years ago I went to a service at the National Cathedral. In the back of the Cathedral they had a display of peace candles that you could light. I lit one. After the service we were invited to take a candle back home to our churches and invite our congregations to join in the liturgy of lighting a candle for peace.

I carried a candle to Calvary. We burned this peace candle during worship for a while but then we misplaced the candle (or something) and it never got replaced. That we a few years ago.

Now we are lighting a candle for peace again in our service. This time it is a little different. There is a growing sense in our midst that we, as a church, need to be about peacemaking in our world. This time we have added a a "5 minute Prayer for Peace" and made the candle lighting a liturgical act proceeding the prayer. I feel a new Spirit among us calling us to do more in seeking peace in our world.

I came across this idea in my Internet wanderings as I was seeing how other faith communities are seeking to bring about God's peace in the world. This would be a way for us to bring our commitment to peace making at worship into our homes and neighborhoods.

What do you think?
_____________________
Join thousands of others around the world...
Light a Peace Candle in your front window each evening.

Let your neighborhood and the whole world know you support peaceful means of ending conflict, that you seek God's shalom in every area of life.

Make it your daily Peace Ritual a rite which comes from the heart & is supported in prayer.

Tell your friends and family about it.

Got a loved one serving in the military? On active duty?
Pray for them each time you light your peace candle.

Have a neighbor going through a difficult time? Send up a prayer for them.

Reporting from my small place in the world

Tip of the Day #6 - Transit 511 or "How to get the heck out of your CAR!"

2007-08-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

Sage (my almost 6 year old grandson) and I were walking back from BART the other day (after a trip to San Jose on - car, foot, train, bus, BART). I asked him why we walk. He said, "because it's good for the environment and it makes us strong for when we grow up, right Grandpa?" "Right Sage!"

I am a huge advocate of getting around without a car whenever possible and in the Bay Area it is so easy and enjoyable to do. Lately I have been using a new Internet tool that makes it even easier.

511.org is this great internet site that has everything you need for planning a trip in the greater Bay Area if it is long or short - on foot, bike, BART, car, boat or train.

If you ride a bike check out this site. Here you can plan trips, get information about maps and bikes on transit and even finding a bike buddy to ride with and so much more. I have used bike 511 for planning trips to Pt. Richmond, Novato, San Francisco etc. I get great detailed information with printable maps, bus and BART options and bridge information.

Last Saturday my family (10 of us) went down to see San Jose State University, my son's new school. To plan the trip I got on 511.org. I plugged in my start and end points. Indicated I wanted to take Amtrak on the way down and BART on the way back. I pressed a button and wa-la -- I had detailed directions of how to make my trip with - times, cost, maps, travel advisories - all printable to take with me.

So next time you are planning a trip don't just get in your car and drive. Make your trip an adventure - Take a friend or a child or a grandchild - Take a bus or a bike or boat or a train - and remember some Sage advice - "we walk because it's good for the environment and it makes us strong for when we grow up, right Grandpa?" "Right Sage!"

Reporting from my small - and walkable - place in the world

RIGHT NOW... take 5 minutes to pray for peace!!!

2007-08-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

Light a candle for peace

AMEN!
Didn't that feel good?

Now I don't stand a chance

2007-08-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hot off the newswire...
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Drinking more than three cups of coffee a day helped protect older women against some age-related memory decline, French researchers said on Monday, giving women more reason to love the world's most popular stimulant.

Men did not enjoy the same benefit, they said.

"The more coffee one drank, the better the effects seemed to be on (women's) memory functioning in particular," said Karen Ritchie at the French National Institute of Medical Research, whose work appears in the journal Neurology.

_______________________

All the women in my life are already smarter then me and now with this coffee research news I know I will just keep falling farther behind. Now I understand that my wife's (Myrna) regular consumption of Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath bar Crunch* in the evening is not just an enjoyable habit but a diabolical plan to outsmart me again :)

*as well as another argument for this Ice Cream being a health food - chocolate=antioxidants, milk=calcium, coffee=better memory - what a deal!

Reporting the sad news from my small place in the world

Our 5 Minute Prayer for Peace

2007-08-06T23:07:00.000-07:00

I was amazed... I had thought that 5 minutes of silence during our worship service would be anything but silent.

We had just celebrated communion. After a short introduction for our 5 minute prayer for peace my co-pastor and I sat in our seats (as instructed by the team who came up with this experiment).

Then I waited... for the noise, for my uneasiness over a forced silence, for a kid upsetting the moment. But none of this came to pass.

I had thought the 5 minutes would feel like worship dog years (5x7=35). I must say that I had thought this was a bad idea but I had to live by my mantra. "Ask for forgiveness rather than permission." Change happens best when you try things first and then evaluate the new experience. I had to give this new idea a chance.

I waited... and to my amazement I found myself worshiping. I don't worship much on a Sunday morning but yesterday I did. I found myself lost in this wonderful moment. I found myself in prayer. When the 5 minutes was over I wished it was longer (but I did not want to press our luck).

I look forward to continuing this experiment and hearing how others in my community are responding to the silence. I hope others found a deeper sense of worship in our service last Sunday. I hope others experienced a bit more of God's peace.

Reporting from our small place in the world

Pressing On... for our children

2007-08-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

Lets continue to work together to pass this important legislation for Children. It is just too important and we are so close. Please pass this reminder on to your friends. Thanks

My Max & Kedrick

August 6, 2007

SCHIP Reauthorization Takes Two Big Steps Forward

Last week both the House and Senate passed legislation to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) guaranteeing coverage for millions of uninsured children around the country. The House approved expansion of SCHIP to $50 billion over a five year period and the Senate approved a smaller expansion of SCHIP to only $35 billion over a five year period. Although neither piece of legislation will cover all 9 million uninsured children in the U.S., both decisions are steps in the right direction. The House and Senate passed bills will now go to conference, where their differences will be resolved, and when Congress reconvenes in September, both legislative bodies are expected to vote on the negotiated package.

Take Action: President Bush has threatened to veto this important legislation. Your help is still needed. Please thank the members of Congress who voted in support of SCHIP reauthorization, and continue to contact our California elected officials (particularly Republicans) so they know you support funding at least $50 billion for children's health insurance. To contact your elected officials now, please go to: www.childrensdefense.org/takeaction.

Your Advocacy for Children's Health Insurance Made A Difference! Let's Finish The Job Together.

The success of the House and Senate bills is owed in part to your advocacy around the ALL Healthy Children Act (S. 1564/H.R. 1688) which proposes to cover all 9 million uninsured children nationwide. Through your calls, emails, and letters you have helped to keep the importance of health and mental healthcare for all children at the forefront of our elected officials’ agendas. Thank you for all of your hard work; we are making progress.

If this SCHIP Reauthorization is signed into law, we still have much work to do to ensure that the remaining uninsured children receive the coverage that they need.

Reporting on important issues in our little place in the world

Refections on Sunday's Sermon

2007-08-04T20:36:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 5, 2007
"Someone in the Crowd” Luke 12:13-21

This statement is taken from Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail.

“The Contemporary church is often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch-supporter of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church’s silent and often vocal sanction of things as they are. But the Judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If the church of today does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authentic ring, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century.

_________________________

This Sunday I will present a first person sermon of the man in the crowd from Luke's story in the 12th chapter of his Gospel. In Luke's story you have a young man asking Jesus to get his brother to be fair in splitting his inheritance and Jesus responding by telling the parable of the of the rich farmer trying to deal with a bumper crop.

As is so often true in Jesus' stories the two men, the young and the rich, seem to be pretty descent people by the standards of the community.

The actions of the young man are in line with what who be expected of him in his situation. His father has died and now there is a disagreement with his brother as to how the money is to be split. Just as I often get request as a minister to help families sort out issues so the young man goes to this respected teacher to get him to weigh in on the family squabble. The problem is that the young man is asking the wrong question of this particular teacher. It is not about money, for Jesus, it is all about relationships in the context of God reign.

The rich farmer in the parable also reacts in an expected way. In the story he has fallen into the abundance of a good year. Now that he has received this unexpected blessing he must be wise in what he does with the gift. Not unlike the person who is careful to invest his unexpected luck in the sale of his Internet startup so the farmer decides to build a new silo to hold his wealth. This is a move that will set him up for life. Again this decision sounds sensible to the community but he is asking the wrong question about his blessings in the light of what Jesus is teaching, what Jesus is living.

In both these stories we see that Jesus is asking his followers to be more than decent people in the eyes of their community. In the gospel of Luke Jesus is calling his disciples to a revolutionary approach to living. It is a life of putting others' needs before your own needs. It is a life of sharing our abundance with others in ways that might seem foolish to those around us but just business as usual for those who are following in the sacrificial spirit of Jesus.

This Sunday we will seek to understand the motives of this young man after his father's death and take an educated guess as what might have happened to his life after his encounter with Jesus.

Reflections on my brother's death - repost

2007-08-03T06:31:00.000-07:00

Some folks missed this post and asked to see it again. Thanks for all your love.

He had just turned 65 and almost received his first Social Security check. My brother has always been a tough guy, kind of like my own John Wayne. I remember telling kids about some of his escapades and enjoying their oohs and aahs that I was related to him.

At his beach memorial service (he was also the infamous old surfer dude tough guy -- Come to think of it, he was - fill in the blank- tough guy in everything he did) a friend told about how Chuck had straighted out some problems she was having with a contractor just by showing up one day on his BIG motorcycle in full leather, wraparound shades, beard and ponytail protruding from his helmet, sporting his infamous "I'm crazier than sh--" look. He did not have to say a thing to the workmen, he just gave his friend a hug and asked her how things were going. She said, with a friend like Chuck troublesome folks kind of fell into line.

I was glad though that at the end of my brother's life he was able to let go of some of his toughness, his rough edge. I know that some of that tough-guy-image was also a way of protecting a very fragile human being. I need to tell you sometime more about my brother's life but it will suffice for now to say he was hurt early on and had a hard time letting people get too close. I think his toughness was a shield to protect himself though it did come in handy at times to protect others as well.

My last conversation with my brother was so very sweet. We loved each other, we always had, though we had missed saying it very often until just the last few years. I thanked him for all the ways he had been my big brother and has taken care of me; getting me jobs, working with me, being proud of me. He told me he thought he had been to hard on me and asked me to forgive him. I did because I thought he really needed some forgiveness in his life. Not just for what he did to me, what he had done to me was pretty minimal, but the forgiveness we all need for lives that were often directed by fear and loneliness and some deep misunderstood wounds.

I drove back to Berkeley that day with a deep feeling of completeness, it was done, nothing stood between us now. We were really ready to be brothers. I also made personal promises to spend more time with my brother in the days and weeks, and I hoped, years ahead. I wanted more of this sweetness in my life. I needed more of this sweetness in my life.

My brothered died last week before I could see him again. I am sad but I still feel more complete than I felt before. He gave me a gift that no one else could have given to me. Chuck and I felt God was at work here, we talked about that as well.

I will always remember the last conversation I had with my big brother as I will always remember the last conversation I had with my twin sister before her death. I will carry them as gifts and they will make me stronger and better and a little wiser as I come closer to my last conversation with the people I love.

(Just a note: I have told my granddaughter that I can't eat so much garbage anymore and I have to ride my bike more so that I an play with her children someday. That means I have time to work on some very wise and wonderful last words to be remembered by.)

P.S. This evening over one hundred surfers will take part in a "paddle-out" in my brother's honor. They will form a circle out in his beloved ocean at sunset and remember his life. It is taking place at the bottom of Tioga Ave, Sand City which is Chuck's home break. They will have a big bonfire and party following the paddle-out -- I am sure they will have some great "Chuck Stories" to share. Press HERE to read my brother's obituary

Reporting from my place in the world

A 5 miniute Prayer for Peace

2007-07-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago our session led a meeting after church seeking ways for the Calvary Community to participate in peacemaking in our world. One of the ideas was to set aside 5 minutes in our service each week as a time of praying for peace.

I like the idea of setting aside 5 minutes each week in worship to pray for peace. I would like to suggest we take this idea home with us and each of us to set aside 5 minutes each day to pray for peace.

Today at our Ministry Development Group meeting we set aside 5 minutes to pray for peace. During our prayer we lifted up the situation of our Korean brothers and sisters in Afghanistan.

Please read the following letter and join with me in a "5 minute" prayer for peace.

Urgent Prayer Appeal to Ecumenical Community

July 31, 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) has consistently prayed for “peace and life” in the global village.

We, together with the whole Korean people, are in deep sorrow and pain after we heard today the shocking news that the Taliban have killed a second Korean hostage, Mr. Shim Sung-Min, early this morning. This terrible news came to us only a few days after Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu was killed by the Taliban last Wednesday. Moreover, the threat of further executions of the hostages is driving not only the affected families but the whole Korean society into the most painful situation.

Therefore, we urgently call on the entire ecumenical community around the world to pray to God that the killings of innocent people may stop and that these hostages may safely return to their families. We deeply appreciate the earlier expression of prayer sent from the World Council of Churches to the National Council of Churches in Korea.

We urge the global community to work for true peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Particularly, we sincerely request the governments of both Afghanistan and the US to lead the negotiations with the Taliban for the sake of the safe return of the hostages.

We express our deep condolences to the families of Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu and Mr. Shim Sung-Min and stand in firm solidarity with all the affected families.

Let us all continue to pray for all people whose lives are threatened by conflict situations and to make our utmost effort to work for abundant life for all people.

Sincerely,

Rev. Yoon Kil Soo, General Secretary
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK)

A call to prayer in our small place in the world...

Tip of the Day #5 - Morning Buns

2007-07-29T23:35:00.001-07:00

Sorry I have been off line in Salt Lake City for the past few days...

I can't resist one more post from my vacation on the North Coast. Each morning my almost two year old grandson and I took a hike (so his mom could get her day started) to a most wonderful bakery. Two Fish Bakery has lots of outstanding baked goods but if you ask my grandson they make the bast "Morning Buns" in the world (I think they are every bit as good as the legendary morning bun from La Farine in Oakland). If you want to see just how good a morning bun can be just take a look at this video of Max devouring his first morning bun...

If you ever get to The Sea Ranch check out Two Fish.

Reporting from the outskirts of our one small place in the world.

North Berkeley Spice of Live

2007-07-25T20:49:00.001-07:00

The 5th Annual
North Berkeley Spice of Life Festival
Sunday, October 14, 2007
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

North Shattuck Avenue ~ Virginia to Rose
Berkeley, CA

Come join the fun
This is a great Gourmet Ghetto tradition
Last year folks from Calvary Presbyterian Church
hosted a booth at the Festival handing out
personalized Chinese fortune Cookies & Postcards
as well as a Tai Chi demonstration
& a performance by the Kairos Youth Choir

Do you have ideas for this years Festival

Information: (510) 435-4264 or karl@shadley.net

Tip of the Day #4 - Walkability

2007-07-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

One the the great things about our neighborhood (the corner of Milvia and Virginia St.) is how walkable it is. Within a mile of where I work are some of the most amazing places to eat, shop, play, people watch, drink coffee, wifi (can wifi be used as a verb?), or just enjoy an afternoon walk. Now I can even score the walkability of our neighborhood on the "walkscore" site. When I plugged in "1460 Virginia St. Berkeley CA" I got a score of 83 (out of 100). I also got some great information about where we can walk to in our neighborhood.

"Walkscore" is one of the cool new Google Maps mashups that brings together Google maps and other data. You can look up your neighborhood as well. Give it a try. Very cool. Enjoy...

PS - I do wish that being near a church were a plus for a neighborhood but alas. I guess this says as much about the church these days as it does about our present culture. I would hope that the work that Calvary and its people are doing in the neighborhood would make our neighborhood a better place to live.

More reporting from our small place in the world.

Our City - Berkeley CA

2007-07-22T13:08:00.001-07:00

One of the goals of my blog "One Small Place in the World" is to highlight what is going on in our part of the world. Being a 10 year resident of Berkeley I am still surprised at the diversity of our town. Check out this short video "Made in Berkeley" produced by some Berkeley-ites who want to keep Berkeley diverse as an industrial town.

MADE IN BERKELEY the movie

Report from our small place in the world

Max's Small Place in the World

2007-07-22T08:22:00.001-07:00

My almost two year old Grandson Max just loves his heavy equipment (he calls them Diggers). This is a little something for my under 2 viewers. My son tells me there is an interesting story about the Band in our soundtrack. Read more about "Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah" Enjoy

Addicted to Coffee?

2007-07-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

I throughly enjoy my Chronicle and a cup or two of coffee in the morning. I can do without coffee in the morning but I certainly don't like it when it happens. I might even say it is part of my spiritual discipline. A short walk or bike ride, some small talk with my coffee connection folks. Get the coffee, add just the right amount of stuff, stir, find the right place to sit, open the Chronicle (search for Jon Carroll and save it for paper desert) and...

I would say that I am not just addicted to the caffeine (the second cup is decaf) but to the whole, delightful experience. Here is an opportunity to test your own coffee addiction quotient. Let me know of your coffee experience.

I am 60% Addicted to Coffee

Mingle² - Free Online Dating

Family Traditions - Sea Ranch

2007-07-19T10:10:00.001-07:00

I am on vacation at The Sea Ranch with my family. What an wonderful Family and wonderful place.

About the people...
This yearly family event has grown from the eight original members twenty years ago to it present form including; three in-law kids, three grandkids and a significant other. Two of our kids have had their weddings on the coastal bluffs adding to the memories of the place. I am so proud of all our kids and the people they have chosen to live their lives with. They are a wonderfully diverse collection of social activist. We have a passion for seeking the wellbeing of children in our world which leads to a concern for families and justice issues (political, environmental, international etc.)

WE ARE

vegetarian EDUCATOR social worker designer Hispanic Student photographer Portuguese musician FUNNY church worker ARTIST guitarist multicultural trainer farmer horticulturalist African American

About the place...
Myrna and I found The Sea Ranch when we were on our honeymoon twenty years ago. The Sea Ranch is a second home/vacation community located on the Pacific Coast about 100 miles north of San Francisco. We knew it would be important for us to find traditions for our new blended family and rented a little house for our family to stay in the next summer. Little did we know how vacationing at The Sea Ranch would become such an important part of our life together. For twenty years we have spent about a week together here each summer.

The Sea Ranch has a long history going back to the Pomo Indians. When a vision for a new community was being developed Lawrence Halprin, renowned landscape architect, drew on the Pomo Indian's earlier philosophy, "live lightly on the land," in his contribution to the overall master plan for the development. The Sea Ranch lifestyle is guided by The Sea Ranch Association and says this about this place...

The Sea Ranch is a rugged landscape, dotted with distinctive homes, that extends for about ten miles on either side of Highway One in coastal Sonoma County, California. The building design constitutes an architectural vernacular that is world-renowned. Its hallmark is the attempt to blend man-made structures with their natural setting, and to live lightly on the land.

The Sea Ranch (Rancho Del Mar) is such an amazing place for our family. Our days revolve around eating, hiking, swimming, beach combing, sunsets, eating, driving to town (Gualala), table games, DVDs, reading, laughing, Two Fish Bakery, after dinner walks, and of course - eating.

Reporting from my not so little place in the world

Baby Don't You Cry - movie review

2007-07-16T23:52:00.001-07:00

My wife, Myrna, and I saw a delightful romantic/comedy a couple of weeks ago. The movie is Waitress, about a diner, its staff and one young woman's belief in the curative powers of pies. It also deals with issues of domestic violence and the power of friendship and hope.

The acting is good, and story is insightful and the ending makes you go home with a smile. In some ways it remind me of a modern day Babette's Feast. I highly recommend it for a date night (that is for the older set at least).

Waitress was inspired by writer/director/actress Adrienne Shelly’s own feelings while she was pregnant with daughter Sophie. Adrienne said in an interview, “I was about eight months pregnant, and I was really scared about the idea of having a baby. I couldn't imagine how my life was going to be, that it would change so drastically that I wasn't even going to recognize myself anymore. I was terrified and I really had never seen that reflected in anything, not in a book or in a movie.” Adrienne went on to express that Waitress is a “love letter to Sophie”.

Their is a very sad back-story to this movie. In real life Adrienne was killed in her New York office/apartment just before the movie was completed. This truly was her Love letter to Sophie. She never even knew of the rave reviews the movie received at the Sundance Festival or that Waitress was picked up by a major distributer. Adrienne's husband established the Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit organization that will award film school scholarships and grants to women filmmakers.

As I left the theater I could not get a song that Adrienne had written for the movie out of my head. It was a song that Jenna, the pie maker, learned from her mother and seemed to get her through some rough times in her life.

My granddaughter (Rose, just turned 7) and I have been singing it together and it has inspired my grandson (Sage) and I to envision a special pie that we are planning to make for the family when we are on vacation this coming week. (The "can't get enough chocolate... whupped cream... strawberries" grandchildren & Granpa Pie)

You might like to hear a recording of Rose and I singing the "Pie Song" in our living room last week. (When she sings real loud she says she is trying to sound like "a whole children's chorus". Let us know what you think)

Waitress is still playing in our small place in the world at Shattuck and Cerrito Speakeasy Theaters.

Tip of the Day #3 - Google 411

2007-07-16T23:52:00.000-07:00

Have you tryed Google 411 business search service? It is Free and really pretty darn good.

On your mobile phone (or any phone for that matter) you just dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411). You will be instructed to say the desired city and state (or you can find it by ZIP code). You will then be asked what business name or type of business you are looking for. For a type of business you will be given a list of business in the city you have specified. When you have selected the business you want to contact Google 411 will call it for you, and here is the coolest feature, it will send you a text message with the Phone and Address of the business to your phone for future reference. I have been using Google 411 instead of my Spirit 411 when I am looking for a business. You don't get a live operator but the computer person has been very effective for me and even does the text message thing and did I say... It is FREE.

Can't hurt to try and you always have you phone company's 411 ($1.50) service to fall back on. Give it a try.

Reporting from my small place in the world (and I told you, it just keeps getting bigger)

My big brother died last friday - the tough guy

2007-07-14T09:55:00.000-07:00

He had just turned 65 and almost received his first Social Security check. My brother has always been a tough guy, kind of like my own John Wayne. I remember telling kids about some of his escapades and enjoying their oohs and aahs that I was related to him.

At his beach memorial service (he was also the infamous old surfer dude tough guy -- Come to think of it, he was - fill in the blank- tough guy in everything he did) a friend told about how Chuck had straighted out some problems she was having with a contractor just by showing up one day on his BIG motorcycle in full leather, wraparound shades, beard and ponytail protruding from his helmet, sporting his infamous "I'm crazier than sh--" look. He did not have to say a thing to the workmen, he just gave his friend a hug and asked her how things were going. She said, with a friend like Chuck troublesome folks kind of fell into line.

I was glad though that at the end of my brother's life he was able to let go of some of his toughness, his rough edge. I know that some of that tough-guy-image was also a way of protecting a very fragile human being. I need to tell you sometime more about my brother's life but it will suffice for now to say he was hurt early on and had a hard time letting people get too close. I think his toughness was a shield to protect himself though it did come in handy at times to protect others as well.

My last conversation with my brother was so very sweet. We loved each other, we always had, though we had missed saying it very often until just the last few years. I thanked him for all the ways he had been my big brother and has taken care of me; getting me jobs, working with me, being proud of me. He told me he thought he had been to hard on me and asked me to forgive him. I did because I thought he really needed some forgiveness in his life. Not just for what he did to me, what he had done to me was pretty minimal, but the forgiveness we all need for lives that were often directed by fear and loneliness and some deep misunderstood wounds.

I drove back to Berkeley that day with a deep feeling of completeness, it was done, nothing stood between us now. We were really ready to be brothers. I also made personal promises to spend more time with my brother in the days and weeks, and I hoped, years ahead. I wanted more of this sweetness in my life. I needed more of this sweetness in my life.

My brothered died last week before I could see him again. I am sad but I still feel more complete than I felt before. He gave me a gift that no one else could have given to me. Chuck and I felt God was at work here, we talked about that as well.

I will always remember the last conversation I had with my big brother as I will always remember the last conversation I had with my twin sister before her death. I will carry them as gifts and they will make me stronger and better and a little wiser as I come closer to my last conversation with the people I love.

(Just a note: I have told my granddaughter that I can't eat so much garbage anymore and I have to ride my bike more so that I an play with her children someday. That means I have time to work on some very wise and wonderful last words to be remembered by.)

P.S. This evening over one hundred surfers will take part in a "paddle-out" in my brother's honor. They will form a circle out in his beloved ocean at sunset and remember his life. It is taking place at the bottom of Tioga Ave, Sand City which is Chuck's home break. They will have a big bonfire and party following the paddle-out -- I am sure they will have some great "Chuck Stories" to share. Press HERE to read my brother's obituary

Reporting from my place in the world

Tip of the day #2- Google Street

2007-07-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

Have you tried Google Street. Cool new trick with Google Maps. To get a look at how it works you can take a look at the church I work at at this link . When you get to the map press "street view." You need to move the little yellow man to where the green arrow is. Now you can use the arrows in the top left corner to spin the camera around to see the church (the camera is pointing north so you need to turn it south) and use zoom to get closer. What do you think? Cool or what. You can move the little yellow man around to see different views. Now zoom in to see me hiding in the bushes. (Just kidding but that would be way cool if I pulled that off)

Here is one way I have found Google Street really practical. I wanted to tell a friend about a new restaurant that I was recommending. I knew where it was basically but I could not remember the name of the place. Then I thought... I can "Google-street-it" (new word?). I got on the right street, move the yellow man down the street looking at buildings as I went. And, presto! I found the restaurant and zoomed in on the name. Just like driving by to take a look but I did it all from the comfort of my couch.

Give it a try... you might even find it helpful in exploring our little place in the world.
(have you noticed our little place keeps getting bigger? Funny how that works.)

Save a child

2007-07-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

Urgent: Your Elected Officials Need to Hear From You Today!
Tell Them to Cover All Nine Million Uninsured Children This Year

Over the past ten years, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) has been effective at reducing the number of uninsured children. However, nine million children are still uninsured, millions more are underinsured, and the number of uninsured children is on the rise — government data indicates that the number of uninsured children increased by 294,000 from 2004 to 2005. That means millions of children in America are not getting the care they need to lead healthy and happy lives.

Funding for SCHIP expires this year and at any moment Congress will consider renewing the Program and ultimately decide how many children will remain uninsured. We must send Congress the message that anything less than health coverage for all children is unacceptable.

Through your efforts and hard work we've accomplished a lot these past few months — CDF supporters have sent thousands of emails and made hundreds of calls to their Members of Congress and we now have over 1,100 endorsing organizations — but your help is needed now more than ever.

Take a few minutes right now to make sure your voice is heard! Send an email to your Senators and Representative to tell them they must use this opportunity to expand and improve children's health coverage so that all children and pregnant women — not just some — are guaranteed comprehensive, easy-to-obtain health and mental health coverage. It's easy, it only takes a few minutes, and children cannot wait.

We need your help in getting this message to your elected officials - let them know that you support covering all children in America and that they must take the smart and right action to improve the lives of millions of children. Children should not have to suffer the consequences of decisions that they cannot control.

Thank you for giving a voice to the nine million uninsured children in America.

— Children's Defense Fund

Tip of the Day #1

2007-07-12T20:02:00.000-07:00

Have you tried Jott.com? It is such a cool way to jott down ideas from your cell phone. It works like this... You sign up on Jott.com. Then you just call the jott number and you record your message. Jott.com (or some computer) transcribes your email message and sends it as an email. You get both a written message and the recorded voice message as an email. I am using it as a way to send messages to myself when I get an idea in the car and I am also using it to send text messages to folks. Very cool and free.
I hope this helps you keep track of yourself and others in this one small place in the world. Enjoy!

What is the new Pope thinking?

2007-07-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

I have been having an email conversation with a daughter and a son-in-law about a document coming out of The Vatican on Tuesday. The subject line of our emails has been: "not true Christians."

Our discussion started with the publishing of a document out of the Roman Catholic Church. The jest of the paper said Christian denominations outside the Roman Catholic Church were not full churches of Jesus Christ. In the paper they say that all other churches are suffering from a "wound" since they do not recognize the primacy of the Pope. It was a prepared by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which Pope Benedict used to head before he became pope.

What is this guy thinking? How in the world, in this time when we need each other in the church more then ever (or as much as ever), do you publish such a document? What kind of message does this view send to the world?

Now I am all for knowing who you are and what you believe. I think folks spend much too much time figuring out what wrong with other people’s views without every being able to state their own views. We know what we don’t believe – but what about what you do believe? I do want people to know what they believe and then step up to live out these views. Take responsibility for who you are and what you believe.

I think Mother Teresa had it right when she said…(paraphrase) “I respect all people of faith and their devotion to what they believe… but I love Jesus…”

She knows what she believes, surely she took responsibly for what she believed, but she was gracious enough and humble enough to respect the belief and devotion of others.

This seems to me how we need to be living in the church.

Let’s rejoice in what brings us together. Let’s lift up what is central to our life in Christ. Let’s live out what we believe about the love, compassion and grace of God in what we are doing in our churches. Let us be so good at being the church of Jesus Christ in our world that we learn from each other by our good deeds and our transformed lives. Let's be humble partners in this important work.

We seem to major in the minors and complete miss the point of what we are called to do and be. How can we get all worked up over what we believe about how God is present in the bread and wine of communion when children are dieing in our world over oil rights? Let’s be humble and know our theology is important but only an educated guess at best. We will certainly learn from other faith traditions if we humbly listen, trusting that God is big enough to be speaking to others as well. And a far as devotion to the Pope...

I must admit I have been suspicious of this new Pope from the start. I loved Pope John Paul. He knew what he believed (and I did not always agree with his views) but was so humble and gracious with people of other faith traditions. He seemed to show a respect of others. If this paper is a product of the new Pope's thoughts what a huge step back in Christian unity under his watch. So much for me recognizing the primacy of the Pope. He is going to have to earn my respect.

Taking my own advice I guess I will have to pray that God will use this Pope for the common good of the church and hope he keeps praying for us who are still part of the "wounded" Church.

Check out this link for our Presbyterian Pope's response

One look at our place in the world

2007-07-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

I found this video a couple of years ago so it is a bit dated but still gives a nice tour of the food part of our neighborhood. What a wonderful place to work, live and yes... eat. I will try to update some of the new offerings and my favorite places to eat in future post. Enjoy!

Oh, the people we meet

2007-07-06T13:27:00.001-07:00

One of the great joys of being in a church are the people you get to meet, well more then met... Let me explain. This is a picture of Adriana and Kedrick. Kedrick is my son whom we first met when he was two and attending the church sponsored Childcare Center my wife directed in Pasadena. About 5 year ago Adriana came from West Timor, Indonesia to Berkeley to attend Pacific School of Religion. While she was here she was an intern at Calvary and lived in the Berkeley Mission Homes, which our church supports. During her time in Berkeley she and her husband Alen had their first child. My wife and I spent lots of time with Alen and Adriana during the pregnancy and I believe I had the honor of being the first non-parent, hospital person to hold Axel when he was born. What a joy! This picture was taken a few weeks ago when Adriana visited the church after five years away. I love this picture because it radiates the love that Kedrick and Adriana have for each other. Adriana keeps a picture of Kedrick out in her house. When people ask who that person is Axel always tells them "that my big brother in the US." I love it. I just know Kedrick will get to visit his little brother in West Timor someday. One great reason for being in the church. Your family just keeps getting bigger and bigger and full of love from everywhere!