Dear Friends,

We have received, and CNN has confirmed, that in addition to the publicized rally/protest/disturbance advertised for our nation's Capitol this coming weekend, Sept. 18, other dangers may occur.

Per internet "chatter" on extremist web sites, there are serious threats being made of local attacks on liberal churches and Jewish centers.  These are specifically worded threats and should not be ignored.

Any church that has publicly supported social justice issues is considered "liberal" to extremists. Even feeding the hungry is now perceived as a radical act.  Thus most all of our member denominations and allies fall into this high-risk category.

Please notify your local police department or sheriff and ask for extra patrols this coming weekend. If you can afford it, private security, especially for any events, would be prudent. In all cases, take heed of what we are being told by Homeland Security:  If you see something, SAY something.

We hope cooler heads will prevail. We hope goodness and decency will thrive. But we'd be foolish to ignore the harsh reality of our times.  Please don't become victims through inaction and inattention.
​
Blessings to all.  May peace be with you.

www.calchurches.org/uploads/4/1/4/8/41486209/public_defender_sites.pdfA homeless man gets housing - and still dies untended, alone, from a totally treatable condition.
Indifference to state law forces homeless people to re-certify a second time to affirm eligibility for food assistance - and all the paperwork is lost. They go without for months.
A woman's child is taken from her by CPS against state law and department procedure. No findings of harm by her are ever found. Two years later she doesn't have him back.
California Council of Churches and Church IMPACT were founded to keep people of faith aware of what comes before our state legislature. IMPACT advocates for laws that are just and fair, that promote a democratic society where all may find equality and reliability before the law and from fickleness in the law.
We have labored with you to bring about socially responsible legislation that help those most in need and with the fewest resources.  We have, over the years, largely won those battles.
And then we see it all fall apart at the County level.
Monitoring how any given county upholds or abuses the state laws passed is very difficult. Some of the awareness may come initially from those victimized by bureaucratic nightmares. Other wrongs go largely untended.  Our media don't know the stories or the breakdown of justice any better than we do. 
We do know California has observable markers that are warning bells.  We have the lowest use of federal food assistance, "Cal Fresh" here, in the nation. About 50 percent of the available money is left on the table, not given to fully eligible people, meaning lots of people are going hungry for no reason.  
California has the highest rate of poverty in America. 
Through the pandemic there were statewide moratoriums on evictions with federal help going to landlords. And yet the counties abetted illegal evictions.  
Medi-Cal, our state's Medicaid program, is excellent. And yet thousands of very poor people get almost no help as they are assigned to clinics and doctors far from where they live or who have long ago stopped accepting Medi-Cal at all.   During COVID, this left the poor to flood emergency rooms too late to be helped well.  Others were unable to get the care they needed, partly from the clinic closing, partly from lack of all access in even normal times.
Our ask to you - our members, our congregations, our clergy - please start asking people you help if they are getting the programmatic assistance we all fought so hard to achieve.  Please start collecting stories of injustice as it plays out in bureaucracy.  Is someone denied Cal Fresh?  Why?  Is someone going without medical care?  Why?  
You may remember we have a study guide on how to help people with felony convictions served in county jail to expunge those records.  Your county may not have a public defender's office, the key to getting records expunged.  If you have a contract system - a system of defense.  That money-saving system depends on the defense counsel under contract  keeping not the client but the district attorney happy. That means defense is not vigorous, often flawed and rushed, and often sacrifices truth to the fear of not being rehired.  In sum, your county may not have a system of defense at all.  
Many of you support our work with donations.  We can keep advocating on your behalf and for your core values without difficulty.  But what good is it if at your local level it all falls apart?  We don't want you to stop donating! We do need you to help keep our work - and yours - truly meaningful and effective.
Lift your eyes to the counties as well.  Begin to demand accountability for those our state and local systems claim they support.  Let your voices ring out for justice. Because it is not rolling down as a river in our state.  
Feel free to write us with questions about what should be happening if you think it is not. We will do our best to offer up the laws and requirements your counties should be meeting.  We need your eyes and ears to let us know whether things are working or if the system is breaking.  We want to help you.  We must also rely on you.  
Together we may be able to bring real justice to our communities and to the people for whom we care.  Let's make this a new day for those in need.  
Thank you.

New Beginnings: A Congregational Guide to Restorative Justice Through Expungement
County-by-County List of Public Defender Contact Information for use with the New Beginnings Study Guide

Dear Friends:

Well, I did it.  I got my first vaccine injection against COVID.   I want to encourage everyone to do the same as soon as they can.

I obtained the first of the Pfizer two-dose treatment on Tuesday afternoon.  It was literally painless; I didn't even feel the injection.  It was not quite that good from then on, so I'll tell my experiences and what I know about those of others.

I got it through my provider, UC Davis Health System.  They had a full injection clinic set up,  with dozens of us socially spaced and on an efficient "assembly line".  From check in to injection was about 30 minutes.  I learned that the earlier in the day you can go, the better. There are fewer people in the morning.  Still, it was not onerous.  Prior to arrival you may do a pre-check verifying your medications, allergies, etc. All pretty easy IF you have an online system.  I hope you do or you'll never see this alert!

After the injection we were sent to a 'recovery' room (ours was a tent) for observation for 15 minutes.  Those with known allergies to vaccines are sent elsewhere for an hour.  I like that degree of care.  We also obtained our follow-up date and time while we were waiting.  That was great - two things done at the same time is a relief.  Very efficient.  It all reminded me of the days of the Salk and Sabin vaccines of our youth and of photos I have seen of various pandemic treatments historically.  We clearly have learned from the past.

As I waited, I noticed a tenderness at the injection site (covered with a kid's cartoon band aid  - very cool). That gradually expanded down my arm and up my neck into a mild ache and eventually a very minor headache.  By bedtime I felt the way one does coming down with a cold - achy and very tired but no real pain.  

Now the only odd thing was that when I fell asleep I slept for only two hours before awakening and being very wide awake at that!  So I read and worked on the computer for a time. Until, at 5:30 in the morning I realized I was ravenous!  The problem now was that what I craved was a friend's potato salad, but she lives 3000 miles away and doesn't deliver.  So I had what I could find, and it seemed to help. I finally went back to bed at about 6:00 am and slept again.  And slept. And slept. And slept.   I didn't really get up until late afternoon then went back to bed at regular time and slept some more.  By this time the aches and flu-like symptoms were gone.  It was about 24 hours, and they were over.  By this morning I felt quite fine.

My husband had his injection yesterday morning while I was sleeping.  He went very early, and I didn't even realize he'd gone and returned until late morning.  He has now also passed the 24-hour mark and has no symptoms at all other than a bit of tenderness at the injection site.  This difference between us made it very clear that every body is different.  To date I've encountered no one who had anything severe at all.  

I will note, for the record, that, while he is somewhat absentminded anyway, last night when my husband took out the recycling, he threw it in the bin, container and all.  There may be something to the "COVID brain" urban legend.  I, on the other hand, can't stop laughing.  If that's the worst that happens, so be it.

We were told that with the second injection there is increased probability of a repeat of my experience with perhaps some intensification.  That seems manageable.  We understand that the Moderna has stronger side effects than does the Pfizer, but none seems to last more than 24-48 hours, and they all beat a case of COVID.  I would not be "vaccine hesitant" over these differences.  COVID is too awful to be fussy about such matters.  Even with Moderna, many people experience no side effects at all.  May you be one of them!

So those are our experiences.  It was efficient, it was manageable, it helps us feel we're on our way to being safe.  I pay attention to the science and to anecdotal reactions.  I cannot stress strongly enough that the scare stories are grounded in absolutely no facts.  The people in the Tuesday session were very diverse (although everyone was over 65 since we were the target population) and no one in my group had any complaints at all about feeling unwell.  I appreciate the scientists and physicians who are helping us survive. 

And even with my husband's mishap with the recycling, I feel quite certain he has not turned into a zombie.  I think we can safely put that notion to rest.

Good health to everyone.  I hope supplies come your way quickly with efficient distribution through your providers or your county.  This is worth the doing.  Please do it!

Elizabeth "Libby" Sholes
​Director Emerita Public Policy
​

The United Church of Christ has issued a warning to Conference Ministers and others to be on alert for attacks on liberal churches. Those supporting racial justice, LGBTQ equality, immigrant rights, economic rights, etc. may become targets of extremists. 

The alert is based on threats made to various churches in advance of both promised rightwing extremist actions at state capitol buildings and at the upcoming inauguration.  The alert particularly focuses on January 17-20.  

Here is a link to a Newsweek brief story on this alert.     Here is the UCC statement.  

We do not think this is alarmist.  We think it is a prudent warning.

Many of you may recall that a few months ago an historic Black church, Asbury United Methodist, in Washington DC was vandalized for its "Black Lives Matter" banner.  The same happened in Sacramento, CA to a UCC church there.

This warning, while originating with UCC, is not limited to that denomination's churches.  Any church that has promoted justice issues or possibly with congregations that are dominated by immigrants or people of color may also be vulnerable.

Clearly state capital cities are a prime area of concern, but any area that has encountered contentiousness, threats, or high levels of political action need also to be on alert.

We recommend contacting your local police department and noting this warning.  As UCC recommends, those churches able to hold gatherings due to their COVID status, may wish to revert to online or other remote forms of worship from tomorrow through next week.  

Blessings on all of you, part of our beloved community, with heartfelt prayers for your safety and for that of your churches and centers of worship.  May all be safe from harm.

 

​

If you are looking for California Church IMPACT's recommendations for the statewide initiatives on the November 2020 ballot, please visit the IMPACT website at: ​http://www.churchimpact.org/impact-blog/november-2020-ballot-recommendations-from-impact
or the IMPACT Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CAChurchIMPACT

Thank you!

Dear Friends,

These have been hard days. Pandemic and its spiritual, emotional, and physical impacts; social unreset and violence with all the attendant worries and sorrow that brings; economic crises affecting us and those around us; fear of the future with its deep uncertainties and unknowns.  

So we share with you some uplifting resources from our friend and ally, Rev. Jim Burklo.  We hope you find them useful and helpful.  Any light we can shine in dark hours seems well worth the doing.



​My Resources for Churches (and everyone else!)

More MUSINGS by Jim Burklo
Every so often, I put out a "musing" that is a guide to my writings and videos.  It's that time when churches make plans for their program year, so this is a good moment to share links to my materials for worship, study, and spiritual practice.  Use freely.  All I ask is attribution! 
My BOOKS on Amazon -- Open Christianity (2000) - an introduction to progressive Christianity.  Birdlike and Barnless (2008) - a progressive "book of common prayer" for use in churches.  Hitchhiking to Alaska (2013) - the spirituality of service and social activism.  SOULJOURN (2013) - a novel about religious diversity in America.  Deeper Love: Faithful Rhetoric for Progressive Social Change (2016) - a handbook for activists and candidates.  Mindful Christianity (2018) - how mindfulness is woven into the contemplative tradition of Christianity - a great resource for church prayer/study groups.  Mindful Christianity - a video intro to my book .  Coming soon:  Tenderly Calling: An Invitation to the Way of Jesus - an introduction to the faith for beginners - great for confirmation and new member groups. 


LITURGICAL RESOURCES:
New Words to Old Hymns
Deeper Love - a song for communion - very timely for the election, etc -
Jim Burklo's Book of Common Prayer - liturgical resources including invocations, benedictions, litanies, prayers, poetry, etc
SKITS - for worship - Against or Through? With or For? But or And?

RESOURCES FOR STUDY/PRAYER GROUPS:
Resistance Bible Study - a study series that would be ideal to run in the time between now and the November election.   My short rendition on video of a mash-up of Wm Jennings Bryan speeches - he was a fundamentalist Christian who ran 3 times for the presidency as a progressive Democrat.  A shorter study:  Samaritan Care: Health Care in America
Contemplative Christian Practices - my series of 3 half-hour videos introducing the mystical tradition of the faith.  Good for study/prayer groups.  Each video introduces practices that take about 30-40 minutes, so devote an hour to each one - and add time for discussion, etc.  Contemplatio - The Questions of Jesus - practices for study/prayer groups - Ten Ways to Meet God - more practices
Mindfulness Practice - five short videos that cover the basic content of the classes I teach at USC for Mindful.USC.edu - good for prayer/study groups:  Mindfulness: an Introduction - Mindfulness of the Body - Mindfulness of Emotions - Mindfulness of Thoughts  - Mindfulness and Compassion  - Mindful Habits 
How to Read the Bible- some basics for progressive Christians, good for study groups - related: Book of Nature, Book of Scripture - Sacred Myth of the Gospel - The Bible and Bob Marley
The Varieties of God - an outline of different understandings of God, within and beyond Christianity - a great conversation-starter in study groups

SPECIAL SUNDAYS, etc:
Fearless Sunday - 2nd Sunday in Sept (or any other Sunday) - a time for pastors and members of churches to "come out of the closet" about their real theological beliefs (or unbeliefs) - Questions to Ask Your Pastor on Fearless Sunday - What They REALLY Meant When They Signed That Statement of Faith
Election Day:  Blessing the Hands That Cast Ballots - Voting Rituals - How to Be a VOTIVATOR (sharing with each other how we vote)
Christmas Poems by Jim Burklo
LENT:  Mindful Christianity Practices - WORD JAZZ for Fat Tuesday and Lent
Tax Day: Blessing of the Taxes (in worship) - Prayer for Tax Day - Progressive Taxation and Christian Faith -
Pluralism Sunday (first Sun in May, or other Sunday of your choice) - celebrating in worship the religions of the world - and the principle that other religions may be as good for others as ours is for us!  Religious Pluralism and the Bible - A Song for Pluralism Sunday - Seven Principles for Interfaith Engagement
St. Buddha's Day (Aug 26 - or whatever day you choose to celebrate it)  - Buddha was once accidentally canonized as a Christian saint... let's revive that tradition as a way of celebrating religious pluralism, and of the striking parallels in the teachings of the Buddha and the Christ!

CHILDREN'S MESSAGES:
The Clay Bird (an interfaith message - Christian/Muslim)
The Prodigal Pig
For Sneeches, Both Starful and Starless - the Sermon on the Mount, Dr Seuss-style
Elephant Eggs - pure silliness! punch line: what you need is probably already here.
Of Seeds and Stardust - a poetic science-based creation story
Parable of the Parrot - short story about the heart of the gospel
The Tumbleweeds - a family of tumbleweeds rides with the wind (which blows where it wills...)
Breaking Free - a flower becomes a butterfly - and learns to appreciate flowers

PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN IDENTITY - "messaging" for progressive congregations:
SIGNAGE for progressive churches  - "elevator speeches" - one-liners that set your church apart
QUESTIONS for "church shoppers" to ask - progressive churches' answers are "yes" to all!
A SHORT HISTORY OF PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY - good for new members groups, etc
THE FOUR SPIRITUAL AWES - a short "tract" that expresses the essence of progressive Christianity - print freely!


We wish you, our members, our communities, our state, nation, and world a brighter tomorrow.  Blessed be.

This online course centers on one big idea: that anti-racism is anything that actually interrupts and dismantles racism. As a 101 course, the content will focus on defining anti-racism, identifying anti-racism, and practicing anti-racism by interrupting racism. The three sessions will roughly fall under these categories: theory (big idea), practice [working with the big idea), and personal (implementing the big idea).
By taking this course, students will:

1. Learn how to explain anti-racism to your church siblings or family
2. Build your skills in interrupting racism in real-time
3. Practice becoming stronger against white fragility – overcome the temptation to give up when the realities of racism become intense
4. Create a foundational toolbox to interrupt and dismantle racism that will ground any other anti-racism work you do

Anti-Racism 101 is a self-directed course designed for you to take the course at your own pace.

Enroll now! $39.99

Take the course

Note: This resources is from the United Methodist General Commission on Religion and Race at: https://www.gcorr.org/30-days-of-anti-racism/

Please send us resources from your faith tradition so we can share them across denominations. Each of us must do our part to dismantle over 400 years of entrenched and systemic discrimination and racism, especially those of us who are part of the dominant culture.  We can learn from each others' traditions and accomplish more together.

#30DaysAntiRacism

Join us this September for 30 days of anti-racism. Each day we will engage in an activity that helps us to become more anti-racist in the ways we think and act. Share your progress with a picture or a reflection using #30DaysAntiRacism.

​Click here to download this resource as a PDF

What inspired this projectCampus minister Morgan Stafford has committed himself to live an anti-racist faith and life. “As a white man, I have learned that I’ve benefitted from racism, while people of color have been harmed. I believe that white Christians must take the lead to confront and dismantle racism. It’s our job.”

To focus and make tangible his beliefs, Morgan spent the month of June doing at least one thing every day to listen to, learn from, do, and become more anti-racist, reporting his progress via social media. We at GCORR liked the idea and reached out to Morgan to share his story, what he accomplished, and how it’s changed and enhanced his spiritual growth and his work with young people.
As a result, GCORR invites white allies (and others) to spend the month of September doing #30DaysAntiRacism. Please post photos of your activities using #30DaysAntiRacism and encourage your friends, members of your congregation, Sunday school class, pastors, and community partners to join this 30 day.