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CHI RHO
CONNECTION |
Vol. VI, No. 1 1. A Little Perspective
22 January 2005
2. Featured Books
3. Ten New Years Resolutions
4. Soulforce to Confront James Dobson
5. "Christian with a Twist"
6. Sanctoral Cycle
7. Adam's Last Word
*****
This issue's Quotes:
"We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love
one another." -- Jonathan Swift
"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who endowed us with sense,
reason, and intellect, had intended for us to forgo their use." -- Galileo
Galilei
"Why has a religious turn of mind always a tendency to narrow and harden the
heart?" -- Robert Burns
"It's interesting to speculate how it developed that in two of the most
anti-feminist institutions, the church and the law court, the men are wearing
the dresses." -- Flo Kennedy
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I
notice it always coincides with their own desires." -- Susan B. Anthony
*****
Welcome once again to the Chi Rho Connection, the
electronic newsletter of Chi Rho Press.
To join our list, send an e-mail message to ChiRhoPress-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
To remove yourself from this list send an e-mail to ChiRhoPress-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Direct all other e-mail to Adam@ChiRhoPress.com.
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1.
A Little Perspective
January 7, 2005, from a UFMCC Press Release.
Metropolitan Community Church's relief efforts on behalf of victims of the
tsunami were saluted on Al Franken's national (US) radio talk show, The Al
Franken Show.
Franken pointed out that, as of earlier this week, none of the "religious
self-righteous websites" (his words) even mentioned the tsunami disaster
(Christian Coalition, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, etc.) -- "while the United
Church of Christ, Metropolitan Community Churches, and some reformed Jewish
groups all had the disaster and disaster relief prominently displayed on their
websites."
The Al Franken Show is carried live on Air America Network on both Sirius and XM
satellite radio, and on more than 50 radio stations across the U.S. Franken, a
former star of Saturday Night Live, is the author of several books, including
the New York Times #1 bestseller "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair
and Balanced Look at the Right."
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2. Featured Books: Two Lenten Studies
Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb. 9, just a couple weeks away, and Chi Rho Press is very proud of our two books of Lenten devotions. Here is a description of each one.
"'You Need Only To Be Still:' Using the Hebrew Scriptures to Journey Through Lent," by Randy Jedele. Spiral bound, 5½" x 8½", 100 pages. A book of daily devotions for Lent, in which author Randy Jedele takes us on a journey through the Old Testament. A lay Christian Education minister in the United Church of Christ in Iowa, Randy Jedele has drawn on his strong Protestant and Congregationalist background to enliven the Hebrew Testament for us in new ways in these Lenten devotions. View it on our Web site at this link: http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevYouNeedOnlyToBeStill.htm
In "You Need Only to be Still," each of the 40 days of Lent, starting with Ash Wednesday, features a Hebrew Testament passage, followed by two questions for your consideration to bring the passage into our own lives. Then Randy provides his own "Thoughts for Meditating," a few paragraphs reflecting on the ancient Bible story in which he offers some background information where it is needed and his own thoughts on the two questions. On the right hand page for each day in Lent there is space for the reader to write his or her own "Personal Reflections," an opportunity for the reader to respond and record thoughts and feelings. Each day concludes with a prayer, a personal moment between the reader and God. For each Friday, Randy has chosen a passage from the Psalms.
The six Sundays of Lent in "You Need Only to be Still" have a very different format with two blank pages for each Sunday, one for "Reflections from the Past Week" and one for "Opportunities to Seek in the New Week." Randy writes, "I have chosen the Sunday format for a couple of reasons. First of all, I have chosen not to have a Scripture passage for Sundays because I did not want to interfere with the scripture passages used in the regular lectionary for the day. Secondly, it is my practice to do just as I have suggested on Sundays. I spend my devotional time on Sundays to reflect on the events of my past week and contemplate on opportunities that may lie before me in the new week. I think it is important for us to remind ourselves of the lessons we have learned, the joys we have known, and the pains that have pierced our hearts. It is also good for us to make plans for the days that come before us. Reflecting is truly a time of quiet meditation and being still before God."
The title, "You Need Only to be Still," comes from Exodus 14:13-14, "Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'" Randy Jedele writes, in the Introduction, "Too often we Christians ignore the Hebrew Scriptures and build our relationships with God on the New Testament. However, as I have journeyed through the Hebrew Scriptures through the years, I have always marked passages that spoke to me. It has not surprised me to discover a wealth of spiritual wisdom throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. It is my hope and prayer that those who use this devotional as they journey through Lent will also discover the richness of the God of the Hebrew Scriptures. Truly, there is much to be learned as we discover the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Hannah, Ruth, and Esther, a God who was a powerful source in the lives of those who learned to seek the presence of the living God and to live in the stillness of God's grace."
"Over and over, God calls us to be still, so that God can minister to our hearts and prepare us to journey each day as a new day. . . . I have envisioned that [this devotional] will mostly be a personally journey, a quiet time each day when the readers will, on their own, seek the stillness of God. . . . As you read, meditate, and pray through this devotional, may God bless and enrich your life. It is my prayer that each of you will find God in the stillness of your busy lives and that God will provide you with wisdom, fill you with peace, and shower you with love."
We know you will be blessed by this book of devotions for Lent. You may order it on our Web site at this link: http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevYouNeedOnlyToBeStill.htm $10.95 each, six or more copies for $8.95 each, plus shipping and handling.
*****
Our first book of Lenten Meditations, "For Another Flock." Chi Rho Press also continues to have a book of Lenten Meditations written from a Gay Roman Catholic point of view. "For Another Flock: Rainbow Meditations and Study Guide for Lent," by Jeffrey Lea. ($10.95 each, $8.95 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling.) View it on our Web site at: http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevForAnotherFlock.htm
Written out of the deep faith and learning of a gay practicing Roman Catholic and from a Catholic perspective, "For Another Flock" includes daily meditations for all the days of Lent and Holy Week, beginning with Ash Wednesday (which this year is Feb. 9), and ending with Easter Sunday. Scripture readings are provided for every day in Lent and Holy Week followed by a reflection from a uniquely gay and Catholic point of view and a prayer.
Following the daily meditations is a seven-week Lenten Bible Study Guide. Jeff Lea's introduction explores Lent as a penitential season, discussing penance and repentance. Each weekly Bible Study starts with a Gospel reading. There is a Lenten theme for each of the seven sessions. Week One is "An Ash Wednesday Ritual and Discussion of the Nature of Penance." Week Two is "The Nature of Temptation." Week Three is "The Meaning of Sin in our Lives." Week Four is "Faithfulness and Homosexuality." Week Five is "The Joy of Being Gay." Week Six is "The Meaning of Judgement." And the concluding session is "The Last Supper and the Mandatum" (New Commandment).
Seven Appendices conclude the book: Solemnities and Feasts in Lent, Lectionary Cycle Calendar, The Books of the Old Testament of the Various Biblical Traditions, Small Group Study Guidelines, an Ash Wednesday Liturgy, a Maundy Thursday Liturgy, and a Bibliography.
Jeff Lea writes, "Far too many gay women and men continue to view the primary Christian scripture, the Holy Bible, as a document hostile to people whose expression of intimate love is homosexual. Nothing can be further from the truth. While the Bible does condemn the ritualistic abuse of human sexuality it does not ever express a view of same-sex love as an abomination. In fact it affirms it in the love story of Jonathan and David.
"The Bible's primary message is Love. To love God, ourselves, and each other as God has loved us. The Bible is not a handbook on how to hate sin. It is a transcript of the ongoing love story between God and the people of God.
"Lent is the primary renewing and penitential season of the Church year. It is the time of personal examination and purification before we enter into the Paschal mystery on Easter Sunday. We are at the door to salvation during this time. Gay people are also at that door and we too have an experience of conversion and faith. These meditations present the point of view of a gay male Christian exploring the liminal experience of coming out gay, coming out Christian, and discovering affirmation in the Bible. The book provides both a daily meditation on the scriptural readings for Lent, and a seven-week group study that explores penance from a positive gay perspective."
"For Another Flock: Rainbow Meditations and Study Guide for Lent" is spiral bound, 5 ½" x 8 ½", 104 pages, and sells for $10.95 each, $8.95 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling. http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevForAnotherFlock.htm
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We saw this on the Internet as Ten Ways to Have a Great Day, but it seems to us that these would make wonderful New Years Resolutions, to reflect on and try to implement all year round. May we suggest these are ways to have a great day every day and to have a great year!
1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK: If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind.... I will not respond in a like manner.
2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY": If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, coworker, or stranger.
3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY: I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.
4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE: I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.
5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE: I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.
6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL DO IT SECRETLY: I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.
7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED: I will practice the golden rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you) with everyone I encounter.
8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED: My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.
9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY: I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods; I will exercise. I will thank GOD for my body.
10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY: I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will read something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to GOD's voice!
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4. Soulforce to Confront James Dobson
Soulforce plans to confront James Dobson and Focus on the Family on May 1, 2005. Here's their press release about this event:
Come for the day Sunday, May 1, or come for the weekend! (Optional events planned for April 30 and May 2).
Promotional Flyer with schedule is available at http://www.soulforce.org/pdf/dobsonflyer.pdf. (Please be patient when downloading, it is a large file with color).
We hope to have 1000 people there to show Dobson and the world that ALL FAMILIES MATTER!
We will be declaring Focus on the Family a "Toxic Religion Zone" that hurts gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals, couples and families.
We will be confronting James Dobson for his continued attempts to make America a fundamentalist "Christian" nation through his strong arm tactics in Congress and the White House.
We will be holding James Dobson accountable for the misinformation about GLTB people he perpetuates through his radio programs and books.
If you tell just 5 people, who tell 5 people, we can have the biggest march around Focus on the Family that James Dobson and the media have ever seen!
Please circulate this e-mail, or print out the flyer. The flyer is blank on the back if you want to include your own note when passing it along.
Please tell your friends and family! And join us in Colorado Springs on May 1!
Sign up today at www.soulforce.org, and encourage others to do the same.
If you can not attend, but are interested in supporting the event, you can donate online at www.soulforce.org/main/join.shtml
We hope to see you there!
Soulforce is a national interfaith movement committed to ending spiritual violence perpetuated by religious policies and teachings against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. We teach and employ the nonviolent principles of Gandhi and King to the liberation of sexual and gender minorities.
Media contact: Laura@soulforce.org Questions: Protest@soulforce.org
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Here is a selection from our second major book of reflections, "Christian with a Twist: Reflections on Scripture that are a bit more inclusive, a bit more relevant, and with a bit of a bite," by William Gaston.
"Christian with a Twist" is available for $19.95 each, $14.95 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling. You can read more about it and order it at http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevChristianWithATwist.htm
As the subtitle suggests, Bill's writing has a bit of a bite, and we believe you will enjoy his sharp, but loving take on Scripture, life, and faith.
Here is a selection entitled Timidly We Seek Him, from the Epiphany section of "Christian with a Twist."
Please read Matthew 2:1-4, 7-12
Are we like the wise men? Do we boldly and without wavering seek to encounter Jesus in our lives? Or are we a bit timid in our faith journey? Do we waste a lot of valuable time either trying to avoid Herod or getting into fights with him? Maybe we get overly involved in theological points with the priests and scribes. I catch myself in that last little trick every so often!
Sometimes we actually blame God for our not finding Jesus. Why does God not give us a star like the wise men, or at least a heavenly host to lead us away from the flock and into the light?
Jesus does not seem to be sleeping under a bright light these days. Sometimes he is not even in church. Wonderful as church can be, it is a place to prepare for the journey, not the final destination. Men and women wiser than we keep mentioning that we will find Jesus in the faces of strangers, or maybe friends and family. Maybe sometimes we do see him there, but we do not want to tell anyone. You never know where that boogey man Herod might be lurking. He might hurt Jesus, or make fun of our childlike vision.
It is a tough world we live in. We need a messiah with a sword, a mighty king! God keeps just sending us Love, childlike love. If Jesus would just appear all grown up and strong instead of vulnerable and human, then we could seek him boldly and tell the whole world when we found him. We would give him our treasure too, if we were sure he could take care of it.
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As a regular feature in the Chi Rho Connection, we are offering up traditional saints listed in the 2005 Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary from today until our next scheduled electronic newsletter.
*****
Sat., Jan. 22, St. Vincent of Saragossa; Trust in Christ: If you want to be at peace amidst temptations and suffering, then make it your personal goal to grow in your prayer life and your closeness to Christ. Have confidence in Him. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Sun., Jan. 23, St. Ildephonsus; Love of the Blessed Virgin: None of us could stand to hear lies about our mother. We should likewise not hear with indifference those about Mary, Jesus' mother. "Virgin Mother of God, may I cleave to God and to you, wait on your Lord and on you, serve your son and you; Christ as my maker, you as the mother of my maker, Him as the Lord of Hosts, you as the handmaid of the Lord, Him as God, you as the mother of my God," St. Ildephonsus.
Diversity Date Commemoration: Thomas A. Dorsey, father of contemporary gospel music.
Mon., Jan. 24, St. Francis de Sales (Patron saint: authors and editors, hearing impaired); Gentleness: You can catch more flies with a teaspoon of honey than a hundred barrels of vinegar. "Were there anything better on earth than gentleness, Jesus Christ would have taught it to us; and yet He has given us only two lessons to learn of Him to be meek and humble of heart," St. Francis de Sales. "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24).
Tues., Jan. 25, St. Polycarp (Patron saint: ear and ear problems); Zealousness: "But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God" (1 John 4:3). When the false teacher Marcion met St. Polycarp in Rome, he asked the aged bishop if he knew him. "Yes," Polycarp answered, "I know you for the firstborn of Satan." These were strange and harsh words from a gentle man. He hated false teaching. "Be firm and immovable in the faith. Love the brethren. Be affectionate to one another, being bound together in the truth," St. Polycarp.
Wed., Jan. 26, St. Paula; Love of Jesus: Paula's love for Jesus was stronger than the love of her own son, whose tears were unable to weaken her resolve to live and die in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. When she first saw the grotto where He was born, she exclaimed, "I salute you, Bethlehem, the 'house of bread' wherein was born that living bread who came down from heaven."
Thurs., Jan. 27, St. John Chrysostom (Patron saint: orators, preachers); Attending church: To those who objected that they could pray at home, Chrysostom replied that of course they could. But, he went on, not so well as in church in the company of fellow Christians; there the worshippers' voices goes up with one accord. "In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord Almighty" (Malachi 1:11).
Fri., Jan. 28, St. Peter Nolasco; Salvation of others: St. Peter and his soldier-knights of the Mercedarian Order for the redemption of captives were laymen who believed that the salvation of others was entrusted to them. We can all help each other with advise, prayer, but above all, by good example and assist the salvation of our friends and neighbors and thereby help with our own.
Sat., Jan. 29, St. Timothy (Patron saint: people with stomach disorders); Bible reading: Timothy was a great reader and lover of sacred scripture! To his very dying hour, he remembered St. Paul's warning to him to "attend to his reading." "Those who live in the world should persevere in coming to church to hear sermons, and should remember to read spiritual books," St. Philip Neri. "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of scripture, to preaching and to teaching" (1 Timothy 4:13).
Sun., Jan. 30, Bd. Sebastian Valfre; Serving faithfully: "Do you know what it means by our being servants of God? It means that we are bound to be concerned for God's interests more than our own; extending God's supreme dominion over us to all our actions, inward and outward; to our health, our life, our death; to our reputation and credit, to talents, riches and goods," Bd. Sebastian Valfre.
Diversity Date: Commemoration: Mohandas K. Gandhi
Mon., Jan. 31, St. John Bosco (Patron saint: boys, editors). Love the children: We are called by Christ to love and care for children, not just our own, but others' as well. Love may call for strictness towards them, but that strictness must always be kind and never rough. "Anything that a child regards as a punishment may be used as such. A word of praise to one who deserves it, a word of rebuke to one who has forgotten himself, may often be a real reward or a real punishment," St. John Bosco.
*****
Order the 2004-2005 Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary, complete with the entire year's Sanctoral Cycle, at this link: http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevLiturgicalCa04_05.html
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Well, the new year has begun. It snowed in Maryland on Wednesday, our first snow of the season. It was only about two inches, but of course the evening rush hour was a nightmare and Washington area folks heedlessly went too fast, skidded a lot, and bumped into each other as if they had never seen a little bit of snow. And of course it has been snowing most of the day today, Saturday, and I am not leaving the house! Luckily I can communicate with you all in this way.
I am seriously considering publishing a personal rant in each issue of the Chi Rho Connection. Something called The Curmudgeon Chronicles, perhaps. At 57 (and a half) I am claiming the right to be a Curmudgeon! And I swear to the Merciful and Almighty God that while I love humanity, people drive me just about crazy! Idiots who can not drive on a little bit of snow; people who chatter away on their cell phones while driving; people who are reading the paper while driving, or putting on their makeup; the US Government. Some good friends, dog owners they are, say the more then know of people the more they love their dogs.
But then it takes a certain kind of very special person to have pets. And then there is the amazing difference between dog and cat owners. You know, dogs have owners, cats have staff.
With the new year comes new opportunities and new challenges. In the face of profligate spending on the President's Coronation, oops, I mean Inauguration, we have the challenge to go the extra mile for the still- growing number of victims of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean. The death toll now stands at over 220,000. Pick your relief agency carefully, but for the love of God, pick one and give something!
The third article in this issue of the Chi Rho Connection presents ten resolutions for the new year, which I recommend to all of us. As I read them over, two things occur to me: first, that these are not as easy as they look at first glance. And second, that many of these resolutions are just a matter of common courtesy. Yet that sense of courtesy, kindness and thoughtfulness, and civility has become sadly lacking in American culture today, don't you think? It seems to me that we have become a society of hateful, selfish, mean-spirited people. Just sit back and watch drivers on the roads, at least around the Capitol Beltway and Rt. 270! People are in such a rush to cut each other off, jump to the head of a line of traffic, speed past each other, and get in front of the next guy, that driving around Washington DC has become more of a contact sport than an exercise in mere transportation.
Of course that is coupled with an appalling Me First attitude, that puts the individual ahead of all others. And what's with this culture of instant gratification? Why do we need to always be connected? Cell phones now have our e-mail on them, and instant messages, and voice mail, and God only knows what else. What's THAT about? What are all these people talking about? And what is so urgent that it can't wait a bit? Remember busy signals? Remember having to think, well, he's talking on the phone now, I'll just call back later.
I think this is all part of the disappearance of civility in our daily lives. We need to shut off the damned cell phones and look around. Pay attention to the person you are with instead of checking your e-mail on your cell phone. Focus a bit more on what you are doing and stop multi-tasking, which ends up meaning that you are doing a lot of things poorly all at the same time.
And bring back a little common courtesy to our lives, bring civility back to the culture.
I guess I have started The Curmudgeon Chronicles here!
I do hope that all of our Chi Rho Press Community has a wonderful, productive, civil, and joyous 2005. May God's blessings be on you all.
And please buy some books today!
*****
Gracia y paz,
R. Adam DeBaugh, Director, Adam@ChiRhoPress.com.
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