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CHI RHO
CONNECTION |
Vol. VI, No. 3
1. Featured Books for
Lent
16 February 2005
2. Looking for Writers for "The Journey is Our Home:" Sharing Our Faith Journeys
3. "The Journey is Our Home:" Sharing Our Faith Journeys: Reflections on Lent by
Adam DeBaugh
4. Have you read "The
Bible and Homosexuality"?
5. New Books on the
Remaindered Table
6. Suggestions for the
Liturgical Calendar
7. "Christian with a Twist"
8. Sanctoral Cycle
9. Adam's Last Word
This issue's Quotes:
"Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back! Do not expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it does not, be content it grew in yours."
Unknown source
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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. Featured Books: Two Lenten Studies
Lent began on Wednesday, Feb. 9, and Chi Rho Press is very proud of our two books of Lenten devotions. Here is a reminder 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. View 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.
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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
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2. Looking for Writers for "The Journey is Our Home:" Sharing Our Faith Journeys
Back in September 2002 we started soliciting our readers and authors to contribute essays for a series in the Chi Rho Connection in which people tell the story of their faith journeys. You do not have to tell everything about your faith journey, of course, just a piece of it!
The title of this column, "The Journey is Our Home," comes from a wonderful contemporary hymn by Ruth Duck, called "Lead on, O Cloud of Yahweh." The whole second verse reads,
Lead on, O fiery pillar,
We follow yet with fears,
But we shall come rejoicing
Though joy be born of tears.
We are not lost, though wandering,
For by your light we come,
And we are still God's people,
The journey is our home.
We would like to resume this series, publishing a new faith story in each issue of the Chi Rho Connection. Our writers will be well known and not famous at all, clergy and lay people, LGBT people and non-gay people, people from all walks of life, and even Christians and non-Christians.
If you would like to contribute the story of your faith journey for inclusion in "The Journey is Our Home," please try to limit your story to 500 words. Write us at Connection@ChiRhoPress.com with your submission.
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3. "The Journey is Our Home:" Sharing Our Faith Journeys: Reflections on Lent by Adam DeBaugh
Here's a bit of the faith journey of Chi Rho Press founder and director Adam DeBaugh.
It has been a week filled with religious significance and observance. Tuesday was Mardi Gras, of course, and Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, so Lent has begun. Traditionally in many churches that keep Lent, the faithful are encouraged to "give something up for Lent." This notion of "redemptive suffering" is one with which I have some problems.
I don't believe that God really enjoys our suffering, nor that our suffering gives glory to God. It's as if I said to my best friend, "I care about you so much. And to show you and the world that I care, I will poke myself in the eye! How would you like that?"
I would hope that my best friend would not find such a demonstration of my love edifying or useful.
My image of God is not one of a deity who sits around getting jollies from our pain. I think God rejoices with our joy, and only grieves with our suffering, sacrifice, and pain. The reality is that people tend to give up things for Lent that they should perhaps give up anyway: smoking, drinking, eating meat, chocolate. Not many people talk about giving up injustice, intolerance, bigotry, or hatred for Lent.
So my discipline is not to give something up for Lent, but rather to take something on. Some years it is taking on a weekly donation to a homeless shelter or feeding program. Some times it is giving clothing to a worthy cause. It has occasionally been financial giving, or hours of service, or the gift of my talents and skills.
What ever I take on I hope glorifies God a lot more than going on a diet for the 40 days of Lent. Of course, the fact is, I would have to diet a lot longer than 40 days!
During Lent this year I am raising money for the Heifer Project International (www.heifer.org), an international organization that combats hunger, alleviates poverty, and restores the environment by providing livestock, training, and related services to small scale farmers worldwide.
Each recipient must pass on to others some of the offspring of the farm animals they receive. "Passing the gift" assures that the recipients become donors themselves, enhancing their dignity and helping communities to become self-sustaining.
The Heifer Project even has a price list of animals! $500 for a heifer, $250 for a water buffalo, $120 for a sheep, a pig, or a goat. But we can also get a flock of geese, ducks, or chicks for $20, honeybees for $30. Or three rabbits for $60.
What are you taking on for Lent? Are you looking for suggestions? How about a contribution to Chi Rho Press? Or at least an order from our Web site!
What ever you do to keep Lent, know that you are in my prayers as we spend this time of reflection, penance, and preparation for the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus together.
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4. Have you read "The Bible and Homosexuality"?
"The Bible and Homosexuality," by the Rev. Michael E. England. $10.95 each, $8.95 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling.
This book takes us back to the basics. For too many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people of faith, the Bible has been used as a club to batter and beat them down.
Only six lonely little verses that have been used against LGBT people. Despite the paucity of unequivocal condemnation in the Hebrew and Christian Testaments, some religious folk use those six verses to justify a world of hurt for LGBT people, their families, and supporters. These 'clobber passages' are over-used and abused!
So for much of the LGBT community, "going back to the basics" of their oppression is going back to the Bible. The Rev. Michael England has written what we think is the best primer on "The Bible and Homosexuality." We are proud to have published this slim, but important volume, which has been our best seller for over ten years. In 1998 we published the fifth edition of Michael's important work.
This is the best book that explores the Bible passages that have traditionally been used to condemn LGBT people.
Sections include Inspiration; Critical Interpretation (Textual Criticism, Historical Criticism, Source Criticism, and Form Criticism); the Passages Believed to Relate to Homosexuality (Deuteronomy 23:17-18, Genesis 19:4-11, Leviticus 18:23 and 20:13-14, I Corinthians 6:9, I Timothy 1:10, and Romans 1:26-27); the "Contra Naturam" (against nature) argument; Heterosexual Marriage as "the Only Biblical Model;" Adultery and Fornication; and a Bibliography.
"The Bible and Homosexuality" is 72 pages, perfect bound, with a striking cover photograph of the Washington National Cathedral by renowned DC photographer Colin Winterbottom.
Every thinking Christian and all people who wish to engage other Christians in reasoned debate should have this volume on their shelves.
"The Bible and Homosexuality" is $10.95 each, $8.95 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling. You may order from our Web page at http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevBibleAndHomosexuality.htm
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5. New Books on the Remaindered Table
We recently had a pipe burst on the first floor of Director Adam DeBaugh's house. Some inventory was stored there and was slightly damaged. So we now have two additional books Remainder Table.
As you will recall, from time to time, books are returned to us from bookstores or distribution houses, or damaged in storage. Often these books are not able to be sold as "new" because the bookstore has put a price sticker on the back cover or the covers have been damaged in transit, or the covers got slightly damp in a plumbing disaster! As a result, we sell these slightly damaged books on our Remainder Table at a significant saving to you.
The insides of the books on our Remainder Table are not damaged, just the covers. Most of the damage is slight. The books on our Remainder Table are 40% off the list price.
All sales from the Remainder Table are subject to availability. No returns or refunds are permitted.
Here are the books currently on our Remainder Table, the first two books being new additions:
"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. Remaindered at $11.95. That's a saving of $8.00 off the list price! (This item may have slight water damage.)
These reflections are a remarkable collection, borne out of the life experience and deep faith of a remarkable man. Bill Gaston has been writing these reflections weekly, based on the Sunday lectionary readings. They have been published in the Sunday bulletin newsletter at the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington , D.C. for over three years now. As such, they have edified, challenged, startled, enlightened, and sometimes annoyed the hundreds of people who come through the doors of that amazing church. Very often Bill's reflections have caused members, friends, and visitors to MCC DC to think more deeply, reflect more honestly, and stretch more boldly in their faith journey.
*****
"Living As The Beloved: One Day at a Time," by the Rev. Dr. Sandra L. Bochonok. Remaindered at $12.50. That's a saving of $8.45 off the list price! (This item may have slight water damage.)
"Living As The Beloved" has a Scripture reading, meditation, and prayer for every day of the year. Dr. Bochonok's meditations are poignant, wise, and amazingly pastoral. Her many years of ministry as a military chaplain and pastor, and now as an Internet pastor shine through her every word. Her meditations are simple, basic Christian teaching, yet glow with power, grace, and beauty. These are devotions that will light your days for many years to come.
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Also available is "Called Out: The Voices and Gifts of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Presbyterians," edited by Jane Adams Spahr, Kathryn Poethig, Selisse Berry, and Melinda V. McLain. Remaindered at $10.75. That's a saving of $7.20 off the list price!
In this book 39 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered Presbyterians tell their stories about their lives in -- and out -- of the Presbyterian Church. People from both the old northern and southern churches, and the reunited Presbyterian Church (USA), from all over the United States, tell their stories here with candor, wit, and faith. An important book for all who either are Lesbian or Gay or would seek to understand Gay people of faith, regardless of their religion.
*****
"Come Home! Reclaiming Spirituality and Community as Gay Men and Lesbians," Second Edition, by Chris Glaser. Remaindered at $11.95. That's a saving of $8.00 off the list price!
"Come Home"'s five sections include: Welcoming God's Acceptance, Receiving Our Inheritance, Discerning Our Call, Making Our Witness, and Declaring Our Vision. Come Home! is one of Chris Glaser's best books. Now the addition of five new chapters has expanded and improved it. Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong called the first edition "powerful, sensitive, and provocative. . . . Christians, gay and straight, need this book if we are to be the body of Christ."
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6. Suggestions for the Liturgical Calendar
We would like to have your input if you are one of the many Chi Rho Press customers who use our annual Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary in worship planning. Even though we are not far into this church year, our authors have begun work on the 2005-2006 edition so that it will be published well before the beginning of the next church year in November.
Now is your chance to make suggestions. If you use this publication, we would like to hear from you about what you like about it that we should continue and how we might improve it to better meet your needs. Please send your comments to adam@chirhopress.com.
If you don't already have a copy of this year's Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary, it is not too late to order your copy at this link: http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevLiturgicalCa04_05.html
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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 the late 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 "Checking or Savings?," from the Lent section of "Christian with a Twist."
Please read Matthew 6:1, 3, 5, 19-21
Is Jesus trying to take all the fun out of doing good? To my mind Jesus is not so much forbidding our pleasures as he is just telling us like it is. He is saying you can do things one way and get immediate pleasure, and that is not necessarily bad. Or you can do it another way without instant gratification and prepare yourself for a better tomorrow.
We worship in a beautiful church building that costs a pretty penny to operate. If we can afford to give our share to cover the expenses there is nothing wrong with feeling good about it. Giving more so that those who cannot give very much can none-the-less feel welcome is also good. Many of us give by check, keep an accounting, and take a tax deduction in April. Jesus would not condemn that.
But Saint Peter will not be looking over our tax returns when he assigns us our cloud in heaven. What will be felt for eternity is the private joy we had in giving, maybe to our church, maybe to another church, maybe to a need that nobody else noticed.
We do a lot of praying out loud here in church. Each Sunday several step up to the microphone to do that and several more open their arms in front of the church to those in need after the sermon. God notices and God is pleased, but it is the ways that these spoken prayers touch hearts and inspire private prayer that lives in heaven.
There is also nothing wrong with enjoying the creature comforts of life. I expect Jesus would not mind staying in my apartment and riding in my Subaru if he were to visit Washington in the flesh. It is very likely if he came to do a revival weekend at MCC, someone would offer him a private room and bath in their larger home so he would not have to deal with my sofa bed.
It is good to live well and give well. But we must not do either as if our lives depend on the details or amounts. Spend generously for yourself and others. Just be sure that the deductions in your checkbook bring memories and not regrets. And do not put too much stake in the deposits. You do not want God to have to pry your bank statements out of your hands when it is time to go. Actually God will not, but somebody else might. Be sure they do not break your heart in the process.
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevChristianWithATwist.htm
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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.
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Tues., Feb. 15, St. Raymond of Penyfort. Captives: Pray for protection from fearful servitude, which is worse than slavery that even one sinful habit tends to form. "An uncurbed will led to lust, and lust served became habit, and habit not resisted became necessity. By which links joined together (whence I called it a chain) a hard bondage held me enthralled," St. Augustine. "They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity for one is a slave to whatever has mastered one" (2 Peter 2:19).
Wed., Feb. 16, St. Gilbert of Sempringham. Having a good conscience: St. Gilbert teaches us that we need to care very little about the judgments of others if our consciences are at rest and pure in the sight of God. "Now this is our boast: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God" (2 Corinthians 1:12).
Thurs., Feb. 17, St. Anastasius the Persian. Sign of the cross: Christ left the cross as the symbol of his religion. He seals our foreheads, our lips, and our hearts with this triumphant sign; with it we begin and end our days. "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14).
Fri., Feb. 18, St. Flavian of Constantinople. Reverence for those in authority: "And David's line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky" (Psalm 89:36-37).
Fri., Feb. 18, Diversity Date: Commemoration: Martin Luther
Sat., Feb. 19, St. Conrad of Piacenza. Abstinence and fasting: "It is impossible to win the crown without mastering the flesh," St. Gregory. We are called to fast regularly. This is a slight denial in memory of the passion and death of Christ. If Christ who is sinless suffered for us, should the sinners not deny themselves cheerfully for Christ?
Sun., Feb. 20, St. John the Almsgiver. Compassion: "If we, however vile or unworthy, can enter the church day and night and ask God to hear our prayers, how careful should we be to hear and grant the requests of our fellow creatures," St. John the Almsgiver. "A generous person will himself be blessed, for he shares food with the poor" (Proverbs 22:9).
Mon., Feb. 21, St. Moses the Ethiopian. Sorrow for our faults: If we are to continue to grow in our goodness, our prayer life must increase. We must avoid relapses into the faults and sins for which we have asked God's forgiveness. "God will not hear our prayers unless we acknowledge ourselves to be sinners. We do this when we ponder our own sins, and not those of our neighbor," St. Moses.
Tues., Feb. 22, St. Margaret of Cortona. Penance: When we are born, we are born innocent. After we grow and leave our innocence behind, we must forever work to return to it by penance. "Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors" (Psalm 27:10-11).
Wed., Feb. 23, St. Peter Damian. Humility in knowledge: St. Peter was so learned that he became a doctor of the church, yet he regarded himself as the least of God's servants. All of the saints studied, not in order to become learned but to become perfect. Wisdom and true greatness is to become humble and count ourselves ignorant and to follow God's will in all things.
Thurs., Feb. 24, St. Matthias (Patron saint: alcoholics). Vocations: After Judas' betrayal and death, the apostles chose Matthias as his replacement in order that their number be complete. Since then, he has been numbered as an apostle although very little is known of him or his work. The lesson here is the contrast to Judas and his fate – Judas who had been a friend to Jesus, who had the grace and vocation and Matthias who was called to apostleship and the fact of his perseverance and faith in Jesus.
Fri., Feb. 25, St. Walburga. Respect for sacred relics and objects: Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit and in life and death should be treated with respect. "Christ gives us the relics of saints as health-giving springs through which flow blessings and healing," St. John Damascene.
Sat., Feb. 26, St. Porphyry. Superstition: All things searching into hidden or occult things is forbidden by the first commandment, equally with the worship of false gods. Let us, like St. Porphyry, develop a great zeal in keeping this commandment, lest we be led away as so many are by an inquisitive and prying mind. "Then the Lord said to me, 'The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them'" (Jeremiah 14:14).
Sun., Feb. 27, Bd. Anne Line. Patience when sick: Very few people are called to die for Christ. But we all have to live for Him; and we assimilate ourselves to the martyrs whenever we bear trials uncomplainingly and with composure for God's sake, especially the great trial of bad health. "Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, 'if I only touch his cloak, I will be healed'" (Matthew 9:20).
Mon., Feb. 28, Bd. Angela of Foligno. God Is Our Father: "I said the Our Father with so much contrition and recollection, pronouncing every word carefully, that though I was in anguish at the thought of my sins, I yet received immense comfort and tasted something of the bliss God grants God's loved ones. I have never found a better way for realizing God's mercy than by saying that prayer which Jesus taught us," Bd. Angela of Foligno.
Tues., Mar. 1, St. David (Patron saint: poets). Loving the faith: St. David believed that physical austerity is useless without charity and humbleness. We are blessed, not simply for drinking only water and eating only one meal per day, but for hungering and thirsting for holiness.
Tues., Mar. 1, Diversity Date: Women's History Month
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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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Do check out the two new titles added to our Remainder Table. You can benefit from the plumbing disaster which befell me in my house!
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We invite you to join Chi Rho Press as a partner in ministry with Dr. Rembert Truluck. You may buy his wonderful and inspiring book, "Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse," on line at http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevStepsToRecovery.html
Or make a fully tax-deductible contribution by making your gift check out to Chi Rho Press, designate that it is "For Dr. Truluck" in the memo line, and send it to Chi Rho Press, P.O. Box 7864, Gaithersburg, MD 20898, USA. If you prefer, you may make your contribution on line at this link: http://www.chirhopress.com/sponsor.html. Just note in the "Special Instructions and Comments" that your contribution is designated "For Dr. Truluck" and we will make sure he receives your generous gift.
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Gracia y paz,
R. Adam DeBaugh, Director, Adam@ChiRhoPress.com.
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We are glad you are partners in ministry with us here at Chi Rho Press. We are eager for your comments, your suggestions, your assistance with selling our books, and your own purchases! And of course, we covet your prayers for this ministry.
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Copyright 2005, Chi Rho Press, Inc.
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