Ecumenical Advocacy Days

Last weekend I joined a group from LSTC in attending the annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days gathering in Washington DC. “Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a movement of the ecumenical Christian community, and its recognized partners and allies, grounded in biblical witness and our shared traditions of justice, peace and the integrity of creation. Our goal, through worship, theological reflection and opportunities for learning and witness, is to strengthen our Christian voice and to mobilize for advocacy on a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international policy issues.” See advocacydays.org for more info. A young adult group also gathered, see: www.faithconnectsus.com

People from all over the country and from different church bodies came together to attend workshops on a broad range of social issues. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we attended plenary sessions and workshops and on Monday we lobbied (primarily on the issue of climate change) on Capitol Hill.

The theme this year was “Enough for all Creation,” focusing on connections between climate change and other global issues like migration and poverty, which were discussed at plenary sessions. The plenary sessions emphasized the interconnectedness of the world, and how global warming and increasingly scarce resources (the global food crisis, etc.) is driving more and more people into grave living conditions. Climate change disproportionately affects poor countries, who have contributed least to the causes of global warming, but will be affected the worst. The disproportionate and excessive emissions from the United States is causing and will continue to cause even greater suffering to people in the world's most vulnerable communities. The plenary speakers emphasized how climate change is a justice issues, and how our faith calls us to advocate just policies that protect the most vulnerable communities and care for all of God's creation.

We also heard from staffers of a few members of Congress (including a staffer of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi) about possible legislation on climate change. They agreed that of the possible options for addressing the issue, a cap and trade system would be the most effective.

There were also different “tracks” which dealt with more specific issues or regions. I went to workshops in the Latin America track, where we learned about issues like the Cuban travel ban, the humanitarian crisis in Colombia, indigenous peoples' rights, drug cartel violence in Mexico, immigration reform, trade agreements, etc.

Participants also met with their various church bodies. We heard from the directors of the ELCA National Policy Staff as well as representatives from Lutheran Services in America, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and Lutheran World Relief. The ELCA is actively involved in advocacy work on a broad range of social issues. To learn more about ELCA advocacy or to receive advocacy e-alerts, see: www.elca.org/advocacy

We heard from Mara Vanderslice, a religious advisor to President Barack Obama, who talked about the White House Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Vanderslice explained that the Office’s top priorities will be making community groups an integral part of our economic recovery, fighting poverty, address teen pregnancy and how to reduce the need for abortion, encourage responsible fatherhood (an issue close to Obama's heart), and interfaith dialogue with world scholars and leaders. She boasted the work of the ELCA Washington Office, and the advocacy work Lutherans are engaged in. Participants extended an invitation to President Obama to choose to a Lutheran church for his new church home.

There was a hopeful sentiment from presenters with the possibilities that working with the new Obama administration will bring. At the same time, there was a recognition of the scale of the problems, particularly the economic crisis, facing the nation and world.
We also participated in advocacy workshops which offered tools for our lobby visits. We lobbied with congressional aids to the Senators and House Representatives from our home states. Overall the experience at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days was both daunting given the challenges our we face, but a cause for hope given the active engagement of the church in struggling and advocating for policies that foster a more just and sustainable world.

"Ain't No Reason" by Brett Dennen

Chris introduced me to this guy, really good music and strong social messages in the songs. Watch this video.

A brief description of the video from Brett Dennen himself:

"It is our routines and our comforts that allow us to ignore social issues. For some of us, it is our privilege to be ignorant. This video tells the story of social issues challenging our privileges and entering our routines making them impossible to ignore. Social injustice cannot be ignored when you are forced to deal with them. That is the idea behind this video.

What would happen if you were forced to deal with something that you may think has nothing to do with you? If suddenly the world's problems came into your
own home? You would have to realize that you are connected to everything and everyone one earth."

letters from prison

On Monday March 9th Kristin Holm a fellow seminarian and friend of mine at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago will serve a 2 month sentence at Pekin FCI prison for civil disobedience.
"Kristin Holm is a 21 year old Lutheran seminary student at LSTC (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago) who was recently arrested while protesting at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (formerly the School of the Americas) at Ft. Benning, Georgia. The School of the Americas (SOA) has trained some of the worst military dictators in Latin American history, who are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children. Kristin was convicted and sentenced to 60 days in federal prison and a $250 fine. She will be serving her prison sentence with hopes that it will aid in the fight to close down the SOA/WHINSEC."
Please read more and learn how to support Kristin in her fight for a more just world:
http://www.lettersfromprison.com/

Price of Silence

Global perspectives on the U.S. Election

Every Monday students, faculty and staff gather at the LRWC (Language Resource and Writing Center) of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and McCormick Theological Seminary for Global Conversations, which are lunch conversations where students share various international perspectives. Last Monday about a dozen students from all over the world shared their perspectives on the recent election in the United States. Here is a summary of the discussion:

A student from Sudan shared the hope from his country and an e-mail from a Kenyan friend of his, who shared about the pride felt in Kenya because of Obama's Kenyan roots.

A student from Indonesia shared about the pride Indonesians felt, since Obama lived in Indonesia for part of his youth.

A student from El Salvador shared his hope for U.S. relations with El Salvador, and in the struggle to close the School Of the Americas.

A student from Colombia was hopeful that there would be a concern for human rights reflected in the U.S. Policy with Colombia, particularly in the free trade agreement.

A student from Palestine addressed the concern of the Palestinians that the new U.S. President would reflect the same position about Palestine. She shared that many in Israel preferred McCain, and that they are wary of Obama's approach to diplomacy.

We heard from two Indian students that in India there are many who are happy and celebrated Obama's victory, particularly because of the opportunity for someone from an oppressed group to lead the country. We also heard that there are some in India that would like some of the current policies with India to remain the same.

In Nigeria there were great celebrations and gatherings all over the country, a Nigerian student noted, particularly because Obama shares their African heritage. He also noted that Nigeria, with their tribal prejudices, has something to learn from the election of an African American candidate in the U.S.

Then we heard from a student from Russia, who said that Russians were suspicious of the hard-line rhetoric they were hearing from McCain, and saw him as representing an older generation, that of the Cold War. To many Russians, she said, Obama represents the same generation as Putin, a new generation. In general, Russians are naturally pessimistic, she said, but there is hope as well.

We heard from a student from South Korea, who sees a sense of hope in her country. She expressed hope for North Korean relations. She also is hopeful that the U.S. Empire could be more of a human empire. Perhaps there can be a change with those (in Korea) who see the U.S. With an image of a white face.

A student from Turkey says that generally she doesn't feel that the U.S. Cares about what happens in Turkey. She sees hope in Turkey to renegotiate, that Obama won't have cold blood in his relationship.

Overall, the conversation was very informative and insightful. It was a reminder of how the election in the U.S. has an impact in the entire world. There were at times feelings of skepticism, particularly due to the U.S. government's past actions that have scarred international relations and have violated human rights. However, from all of the students there, I heard the word “hope.” The sense of hope was resounding in Obama's message of a new direction, his heritage and understanding of the world, and his diplomatic approach. As we face many serious challenges in the world at this time in history, it was refreshing to hear so much hope.

Internship Newsletter - June 2008

Winter greetings from Argentina. I celebrated my birthday this year with Argentina, since May 25th is one of the independence celebrations here. My internship is going very well, it is hard to believe I really only have about a month left. Looking back, this internship has truly been a great context for me to learn, grow and thrive in ministry. There is a beauty, love, resilience and grit in the people here that I'll always take with me. The members of the congregations and communities have accepted me and have allowed me to walk with them, and it's those encounters that are forming me in pastoral ministry.

Having the two different church communities (MMM, Misión Maria Magdalena -Mary Magdalene Mission- in Resistencia and San Mateo -St. Matthew- in Corrientes) has made my experience broader. I've learned about how small family sized congregations function. The experience teaching and preaching has been particularly valuable. I preach every other week. I'm learning a lot from my pastor's affinity for the type of preaching that keeps the Gospel in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Of course a big question is always, how is text relevant to the context? How do I make 2 years of theological study relevant in ministry? The most valuable lessons I learn are when those questions are answered. In the ministry of presence and listening I have learned a lot about the struggles of the people here, but also the hopes and grace of God in the midst of them.

My Internship Project was to accompany and empower two church leaders in becoming teachers for first communion, so that they would continue in the years to come. I'm learning a lot of tools on how to build up leaders, and how important it is to identify and encourage the gifts in people. We have completed the First Communion class at MMM, and I've been teaching First Communion and Confirmation at San Mateo. I also lead bible studies in Corrientes every other week on the weekly Gospel text.

MMM has been in the process of workshops on Natural Church Development, which encourages congregations to look within themselves, identifying their God-given gifts in order to grow. Through them, we identified the youth group as an area for growth. Since then we've been having frequent meetings, and had a worship service led by the youth, after which they felt empowered in their role in the church. The youth group is currently planning a trip to the interior of the Chaco province, to assist aid organizations in their work in fighting hunger and disease.

Last week at MMM, our beloved member Antonia passed away. She was 72, and she would attend worship almost every week. She was a grandmother to all of us. She had a tender loving spirit, and a deep faith. We had the wake in the chapel, and left it open all night. There were so many people who came to say goodbye to her. At her burial Pastor Raul told a story about a church trip to Iguazu Falls she attended, and how she felt God’s presence in the waterfalls. She saw God’s presence in the big and small, and carried it with her everywhere. She passed away a couple days before we were to have her grandchild’s baptism, giving us all a reminder of the gift of life amidst the sorrow of death.

I have also been involved with the broader Lutheran church body here, the IELU (Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Unida - United Evangelical Lutheran Church). Back in January I helped with 3 weeks of church youth camps in Obera, Misiones. I also assisted in baptisms and a bilingual wedding. I have learned a lot about the IELU in two Church-wide Assemblies, and become acquainted with Lutheran seminarians at the ISEDET Seminary in Buenos Aires. I have learned about the joys and struggles of pastors in district and church-wide pastors meetings. I have also been involved in ecumenical activities. Many children have experiences like my upbringing that they are raised in both churches. One of our First Communion students is also taking the classes in the Catholic Church, and a Catholic priest joined us in a baptism.

I have also helped in the work of the various projects of Misión Maria Magdalena. One of which is the comedor, where children come for breakfast and evening snack and receive monthly food bags. It is a constant struggle since the government continues to give the same minimal amount they have for years. I also help the talleres (workshops) which Ofelia, the social worker, and James the ELCA volunteer work with. For example, we painted a mural with the children of the community on the front wall of MMM. In February we had two days where we took the kids to a local farm. The former kindergarten has been opened as a space for these workshops and as a positive space for the kids to come. The project also works with "citizenship" and I've attended city-wide workshops on citizenship and economic development.

I have had several conversations with people about the rising cost of food, and how many products have doubled in price even over the last couple years. Personal testimonies to the crunch being felt by the rising food and gas prices all over the world. Many people have to spend over half their income on food. A conflict between farmers and the Argentine government had lasted for the last few months (100 days), after many failed attempts at dialogue. In objection to increased export taxes, farmers had suspended their shipments of grains and set road blocks. It has also raised worries in the country, and of course in the communities where I’m living and working. Religious groups recently united here in Resistencia for a vigil, encouraging a resolution to the conflict.

When I was in Buenos Aires this month for a youth encounter and pastor’s meeting, we had a devotional (with both groups) in which people brought dirt from their respective parts of the country. People were invited to take a handful of dirt, share a reflection about it and put it in a tray. Some people reflected on how the dirt felt in their hands, the memories that came to mind. Some reflected on God’s love for all of creation, the spiritual oneness they feel with the earth. Some reflected humanity’s failure to take care of the earth, and of the indigenous communities that have had their land taken from them. Some reflected on how the dirt in their hands was some of the richest in the world, but because of political corruption, there exists great poverty and hunger.

When the Gospel meets these broad social issues, as well as the personal ones that come up over sharing a mate; that is where I’ve found myself in ministry this year. It is this intersection that will surely guide me throughout my ministry. I appreciate all your prayers and support that have sustained me throughout my year here.

"do not worry"

These are worrisome times. People have been feeling the crunch of food and gas prices all over the world. The UN recently reported that the world needs to double food production by 2030. As I talk to people here in Argentina, they talk about food items that have doubled in price over the last couple years, as well as costs such as bus fare.

On top of rising food prices, the last 3 months in Argentina there has been a conflict between the government and farmers: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/08/business/LA-FIN-Argentina-Farm-Crisis.php). In objection to increased export taxes, farmers have suspended their shipments of grains and have set road blocks which have caused food shortages and prices to rise. In a year when international food prices are high, people are frustrated that Argentina is missing an opportunity. The article points out that because of the conflict, Argentine farmers have missed US$2.3 billion in soy, wheat, corn and sunflower seed sales. The road blocks have caused bus companies to cancel services and milk trucks to pour out their milk on the side of the road. Attempts at dialogue between the government and the farmers so far have failed, which is making for more frustration across the country. Many frustrations and worries are also fueled my memories of the economic crisis of 2001 in Argentina. In the stories of people and the general climate, you can feel the uncertainty, insecurity, anxiety and worry in the air.

In the midst of this deep anxiety heard in everyday encounters and on the pages of newspapers, I prepared my sermon for the week, and the Gospel text was Matthew 6:24-34. The words of Jesus “do not worry,” jumped off the page with glaring audacity. Jesus must have known how hard these words would be to hear, since he repeats them three times. Often the gospel-good news message in the text is the hardest to hear. Jesus goes on to say that God “knows that you need all these things.” This is reinforces by the text in Isaiah which provides the imagery of a mother nursing her child to remind us that God does not forget us. In fact, it goes on to say that we are tattooed on the palms of God’s hands. In these uncertain times, we will have our share of worries. What we can count on is that in the midst of these worries and increasingly uncertain times, is that Jesus’ audacious words "do not worry," will confront us with radical grace, and remind us that the God who made us has not forgotten about us. May these words transform our worries into striving, to “strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” to strive for a kingdom where there is no worry.