Today, we mark the International Day of Prayer for Peace, joining with other Churches of the Brethren and people of faith across the world.

The timing of this hallowed day is poignant. Within the span of a month, running from late August through mid-September, our nation mourned three anniversaries of events over the past decade that have profoundly shifted our understandings of ourselves and the human species.

• Eight years ago, we witnessed planes crash on September the 11^th, from the horrific attack of fundamentalist terrorists, ushering in a new paradigm in the way we understand religion and warfare in America.
• Five years ago, we witnessed hurricane flood waters pour through cities and homes around the Gulf Coast, devastating historic New Orleans, ushering in a new paradigm in the way we understand race and the environment in America.
• One year ago, we witnessed the implosion of financial institutions, banks and insurance companies and housing markets, ushering in a new paradigm in the way we understand the economy in America.

All these collapses happened in this end-of-summer season. And all these have dramatically changed the human experience in our nation, changed the ways we experience conflict and violence and oppression and survival and healing – paradigm shifts we cannot turn back from. All these things reflect the new face of an ancient yearning: the world’s need for true, lasting peace: for shalom in our city, in every city, in the peaceful image of the city of God.

And so we collect our prayers for peace. We perceive the immensity of the world and its pain, and we do our small piece. We know that if and when every soul prays fervently for peace, and prays that peace into existence in their own lives, that on that day, war shall be no more. When each one lets go of striving to fix the entire world and instead simply says, “Let peace begin with me,” then peace on Earth will be made, one step and billions of prayers at a time. Let it be.

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Prayer

from the worship service Sunday, September 20,

at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Illinois

God of life, eternal, we join the many others, Christians and other people of faith, across this country and around the Earth, in lifting our prayers to you for peace – peace in our hearts and spirits, peace in our homes, peace in our neighborhoods, peace among nations. We pray especially today for the shalom of our city here in Elgin.

We pray for strength and clarity of purpose, for all those surviving and escaping violence and abuse in their homes and families, that they know they do not deserve abuse no matter who they are.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

We pray for our youth to withstand the glorification of violence by the military in their schools, and that all our youth be empowered to choose peaceful vocations for their futures.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

We pray for the many among us hit hard by the financial recession, struggling with sudden changes and an uncertain world.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

We pray for those who are hungry and homeless in our community, that they may be nourished in body and in spirit.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

We pray for the healing of our ailing health care system, that the needs of real human bodies might take precedence over the wrangling of parties and policies.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

We pray for immigrants to this land, that they might be welcomed just as warmly as all our ancestors were when they arrived here, and that together we might celebrate the ever-changing face and the immutable character of our nation.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

We pray for people of faith and people of doubts across the city of Elgin and the Chicago area, that we might partner with them in the ministries our community needs and that we might be empowered to share our peace witness with them, as well.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

We pray for climate justice for our world, radiating out from Washington, D.C. and our brethren and sisters lobbying there this weekend, and also from this place, through the commitment of people in this town to leaving a whole, healthier planet Earth for coming generations.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

We pray for our fellow citizens displaced by natural disaster and human neglect, that their plight might not be forgotten as quickly as the evening news cycle moves on.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

We pray for victims of racial intolerance, sexual harassment, and religious persecution, that our nation’s history and our individual ambitions might never be used to block us from seeing the humanity within each of our neighbors.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

We pray for our sisters and brothers across the world and across the street, in every place where ‘hatred rages and wars defile the land,’ that we might listen to their stories and weave them into our own, to build a different future, together.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

We pray for ourselves, that we might find peace in our hearts and homes, in our minds and bodies, so that we might be prepared to be instruments of your justice, mercy, and love.

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

God, we pray for deep, abiding love of peace. We pray for wisdom to know the ways of peace. We pray for strength and courage to look into the depths of violence and pain and take that reality into account in our lives. We pray that you guide us in shaping a true city of God, that takes in the whole world, and is founded in deep, deep shalom – salaam – paz – peace. In the name of the Prince of Peace, our Christ, Amen.

If you’re in the San Fran Bay Area…..

Event: Biblical Self Defense: ”Taking the power out of the “slammer passages” used by the Religious Right against LGBT people”

Host: NCNC–FCC Alameda

Time: Thursday, October 29 at 12:00pm -  Friday, October 30 at 3:00pm

Place: First Congregational Church, Alameda, California

These are the folks named to the Special Response Committee that will guide the process of special response to the Statement of Confession and Commitment and the Query on Same-Sex Covenental Relationships in our congregations and districts over the next few years: Karen L. Garrett, Jim Meyer, Marie Rhoades, John E. Wenger, Carol Wise.

Caucus is excited to see that the glbt community will be given voice by Carol Wise, director of BMC, and young people will be represented on the committee by Marie Rhoades. It is very exciting that these two historically-underrepresented (or flat-out ignored!) voices will be given seats at the table of power during this process. The position for a “young person” on the committee was a direct result of the presentation of the youth/young-adult Call to Confession, Commitment, and Action. Way to go young people!! Let us all pray that their voices will be heard!!! Now if only P&AC would approve a BOOTH for BMC!!!!

peace — Sharon Nearhoof May

Election results are in. A few of our Caucus-endorsed folk have been elected. Their names are in bold below.

– Moderator-Elect: Robert Earl Alley of Harrisonburg, VA. Alley is pastor of Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren.
– Program and Arrangements Committee: Victoria Jean (Sayers) Smith of Elizabethtown, Pa.
– Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee: Tim Button-Harrison of Ames, Iowa
– Committee on Interchurch Relations: Jim Hardenbrook of Edinburg, Va.
– Bethany Theological Seminary Trustee representing the colleges: David Witkovsky of Huntingdon, Pa.
– Brethren Benefit Trust Board: Carol Hess of Lancaster, Pa.
– On Earth Peace Board: David R. Miller of Dayton, Va.

These folks were also appointed by the delegate body:
– Brethren Benefit Trust Board: Carol Ann Greenwood of Walkersville, Md., and Donna Forbes Steiner of Landisville, Pa.
– On Earth Peace Board: James S. Replogle of Bridgewater, Va., and Robbie Miller of Bridgewater, Va.

Caucus will keep working to support the election of persons who believe in and act for the equality of all people and full inclusion of all God’s children in the church.

– Sharon Nearhoof May

Our Booth!
Our booth space this year focuses on a phrase from the Conference theme scripture: “…in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.” (2 Cor. 5:19) As we discussed the scripture together as a Steering Committee, we kept coming back to the idea that God had entrusted this crucial message to the community of faith and we began to think about what message God had entrusted us with. Out of a lot of other ideas, we focused on this one and also the powerful symbolism of the butterfly. So, our booth is covered with butterflies — butterfly fabric, butterflies stickers, butterflies everywhere. And, we have three messages we believe that God has entrusted to the Caucus community — the message of equality, justice, and wholeness for all people. We could have used a number of others — but our booth designer (that would be me!) kept coming back to those three. Check out some pictures below!

New Resources
We are offering a bunch of new resources at the booth this year. You can go to our resources page and download them below. All are Single Sheets on a particular topic and include lots of great information in a very small, easily digestible package!

Inclusive Language and the Bible — This is a single sheet that offers an overview on what inclusive language is and why it is helpful and important to use in church life. Most of the current Bible translations are categorized by how inclusive they are and we have a whole list of reasons to use inclusive language! Download this for yourself and give a copy to your pastor and worship team/committee!

Creating Safe Space — So often, our churches are the last place we want to talk about the things that are most important to us. Many churches are not safe spaces. What is safe space? What does it feel like when you’re not in a safe space? When you are? And how do we create safe spaces where no one need fear being shamed, embarassed, attacked, judged, etc.? Download this Single Sheet for not only discussion starters, but concrete suggestions for ways to make your spaces safer!

Women in Ministry — As of the last survey of persons in ministry, women made up only 13% of pastors in our churches. Why? What do women training for ministry and engaging in ministry experience? This is a great Single Sheet full of facts and thoughtful questions. It also has a full page of ways YOU and YOUR CONGREGATION can support women in ministry!!

Consciousness-Raising Groups — This is a Single Sheet introduction to our relatively new Consciousness-Raising curriculum, including where to find the videos and other discussion starters.

So, download away!

And now for those pictures…

peace –
Sharon Nearhoof May

Having just sat through much of the afternoon business session, I can report that I’m officially getting tired of this. This from discussion on just the Statement of Confession and Commitment — they hadn’t even taken up the Query on covenental relationships when I was needed elsewhere. I had a ray of hope during the Statement discussion when Bob Gross of Indiana rose and offered an amendment to the Statement that would essentially ‘guide’ the Program and Arrangements Committee to grant BMC booth space in the exhibition hall while the three-year Special Response process played out. I even thought, “of course! How can people continue to deny this purely logical and obvious need and right!” But the delegate body voted it down. A number of rainbow-clad folk spoke eloquently at the microphones. Shortly after the vote on the Gross amendment, the Statement passed overwhelmingly as a Special Response issue, and I’m still actually not sure what that will look like as this begins to take shape. In the sense that I believe it is a way of actually avoiding talking directly about the 1983 Human Sexuality paper and the current exclusion of glbt folk from Conference and the church, I’ve got that same old nauseated feeling. In the sense that maybe it will actually initiate some process of education and focused resource-making and conversation in churches and districts (though those who don’t want to talk about this will be allowed to continue in their ignorance), well, okay. May God use the process for the good of all those who are denied equality, justice, and full participation in the church. And may all Caucus – BMC – VOS folk volunteer to lead conversations in their districts and churches!!!

I missed worship this morning as I was scheduled for my turn in the Early Childhood childcare session (I have a 3-year-old in attendance). I must tell you that it was wonderful in there! Paul Fry-Miller played guitar and we sang songs, played with children, made chocolate pudding and dragged our gummy worms through it, and had a great time! What a gift to watch the youngest Brethren girls and boys begin to make their journey through the Brethren community of Annual Conference and begin to plant the seeds of lifelong friendships! Let me pause here to remind us all that one of the great and early works of Womaen’s Caucus was insisting on the need for childcare at Annual Conference so the women of the church could do the business of the church and know their children were well-cared for! Before Caucus advocated for Conference childcare, women would too often come to Conference to take care of the children while their husbands attended the business sessions. So thank you early Caucus women and men! Your legacy endures!!

More to come!
Sharon Nearhoof May

First of all, we want to thank everyone out there who contributed to our Rainbow Handcraft project in any way. We have been overwhelmed by the response and to see all these gorgeous rainbow colors literally showering down upon us is both inspiring and awe-some! We’ve got at least 500 rainbow scarves and more keep arriving as people drop by the booth for the first time. God arranged for the perfect booth space — a row-end spot where we could hang the rainbow handcrafts and people could easily pick them up. The colors are just amazing and the different designs and patterns are terrific! We wear them in celebration of all God’s bright, colorful, unique, and hand-made children!

BMC Luncheon
The BMC luncheon was wonderful, not to mention brightly-colored! The San Diego COB hosted us graciously, the food was excellent, the music was wonderful, and the community was vibrant and open. After lunch, we heard from BMC worker Carrie Fry-Miller and I discovered one of the most stunning surprises of Conference for me. Did you know that Carrie had to work through the United Church of Christ to be placed as a volunteer at BMC because BVS does not (refuses to) have a project for the BMC worker?!!!! Are you kidding me?!!! I urge everyone out there to write or email BVS and demand that they support Brethren women and men who want to work with BMC in an official BVS project placement. It is unconscionable that a Brethren woman had to go through the UCC to be placed in a Brethren organization in a Brethren volunteer position.

We also heard from BMC Director Carol Wise about the new and continuing work BMC is doing. I was especially interested to hear about their increasing focus on Elder glbt issues and workshops for college students and faculty. One exciting thing this year is that VOS Coordinating Council member and all-around-awesome-guy Dan McRoberts has gifted BMC & VOS 1000 copies of a small book by renowned theologian Walter Wink entitled “Homosexuality and the Bible”. These books are being distributed free at Conference and Wink has given permission for the text to be posted online here!

Following the BMC business report, Rick Polhamus of Christian Peacemaker Teams conducted a short training in nonviolent resistance, focusing on how to handle confrontations during nonviolent actions. As you know, BMC was AGAIN denied booth space in the exhibit hall, despite the granting of booth space to many other groups that have disagreement with some AC statements like the BRF. So, this year, BMC and allies will be setting up “Mobile Booths” all over the Conference site. A person or team will set up a booth on a card table for about 1.5 hours and then move to a different location. The excellent buttons we’re all wearing say “Be the Booth you wish to see”. So smart!!!

Business
In terms of business, things have taken a less positive turn. Your Caucus Steering Committee sat in on Standing Committee business yesterday morning while discussion began on two items of particular interest to us: (1) the Statement of Confession and Commitment; and (2) the Query on Language on Same Sex Covenantal Relationships. There was quite a bit of discussion on how to handle these two items — together or separately. Following discussion, SC (Standing Committee) voted to consider the items separately.

SC chose to deal with the Statement first. Early in the discussion, Nelda Rhoades Clark (Northern Plains) read the Call to Confession, Commitment, and Action that has been signed by over 160 COB youth and young adults to date. If you are under 35, you can sign the paper by clicking on the link. This was received well by SC and several later comments referred back to the young people of the church and how their voice needed to be heard and taken seriously. Just before lunch, SC voted to recommend to the delegate body that the Statement be adopted. At that point, we had heard considerable discussion and thought that we had a handle on what direction SC was going to go with the Query. After lunch, we had to attend to our own business, so we didn’t return to hear SC work through the Query.

After lunch, everything apparently went haywire! Someone on SC will have to share the details, but the result was that they rescinded both their vote on the Statement and their eventual vote on the Query and chose to send the Statement on to Conference as a Special Response Query (even though it’s not a query). If Conference would approve treating the Statement as a Special Response Query, that would initiate a 3-year process of study and action in congregations and the districts before Conference would consider it again. AND, since Conference can only handle one Special Response Query per year, the Query on Language on Same Sex Covenantal Relationships would be postponed until at least next year. All in all, it seemed as if this was one more way to postpone actual discussion on same-sex relationships and dealing with the 1983 Human Sexuality paper, which is now 26 years old and even factually outdated. There were the ever-present scare-tactics of “this will split the church”. I fail to understand how ignoring the deep fracture lines in the church and the great wrong the church is doing every day to real glbt people somehow keeps the church more ‘together’.

The delegate body does have the option of voting down the recommendation to deal with the Statement as a Special Response Query, so the final outcome remains to be seen.

Worship
Shawn Flory Replogle, the moderator-elect, led worship and Moderator David Shumate preached. The available seats were filled to the point that probably 50 people or more were sitting or standing in the back area. I sat on the floor and so my worship experience was staring at the backs of the people in the row of chairs before me. At no point did there appear to be any attempt to find more chairs to put out, though there was plenty of room in the corners of the worship space. I’m not even sure anyone ‘in charge’ noticed. I hope that they do put out more chairs tonight.

It was somewhat hard for me to listen to David’s sermon, I’ll confess. The text will be online here if it’s not already. After spending the day with the Caucus-BMC-VOS community, it felt very hollow to listen for calls to live ‘justly’ in the church and to be transformed and such when there was no naming of the actual injustices so many are living with. Talk about “justice” remains an abstract ideal and means nothing to me when there is no call by church leadership to identify specific injustices that are being done by the church and call the church to specific actions of justice-doing. The leadership vacuum continues.

About the Blogging
I am going to do my best to update this daily. One thing I realized last night is that when I said I’d update every evening I wasn’t thinking that “evening” here is after midnight on the East Coast! So, let’s just say that sometime every day I’ll check in! Other Caucus Steering Committee members may be blogging, too, so we’ll be sure to sign our names so you know who’s viewpoint you’re getting!

peace — Sharon Nearhoof May

We’ll be posting live coverage of the 2009 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference beginning on Friday night, June 26th, right here. We’ll be posting at least every evening and will try to post more often as internet access allows. We’ll also try to respond to comments and questions if you’ve got them!

If you can’t be at Conference, join us here!

(It’s Lysistrata come to life!  Aristophanes would be so proud….)

Kenyan activists have undertaken a campaign to withhold sex from their husbands (in political leadership) for a week, to put pressure on them to enact needed national changes to recognize the needs of the average citizen.  This effort by the Women’s Development Organisation has garnered even more attention, as one man is suing the group for damages inflicted by his wife’s participation in the protest!

A handy little infographic and report over at the Center for American Progress details the ways the economic recession is shifting the distribution of jobs in the US, and what impact this is having on the gendering of the workforce: 

The recession is playing out differently by gender because men and women tend to work in very different industries…. Larger job losses among men have occurred because the recession is hitting traditionally male working-class jobs, even though the crisis is being prolonged by the financial sector’s troubles.

The bottom line?  Because of cuts in predominantly male job sectors, the percentage and importance of female breadwinners is rising. 

Which means that perhaps it’s finally time to take women as seriously on the job!?  Pay equity and workplace respect are not just for the benefit of women, but whole families (as they always have been).  Maybe we’ll start to learn this culturally, too, now.