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 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!
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 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. Note: This resource is from the United Methodist General Commission on Religion and Race at: https://gcorr.teachable.com/p/antiracism101 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. New Online Course! Available September 1. Anti-Racism 101: Required Skills for White People Who Want to be Allies  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:
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.”  Morgan Stafford and his mentor, Dr. Deborah Smith 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. 
Dear Friends, Whether you saw the video of the horrific explosion on social media or witnessed the appalling aftermath on news broadcasts, few people cannot be stunned at the breadth of damage done to the people and buildings of Beirut. Reports confirm that unstable substances, confiscated from a ship some many months ago, erupted in a violent explosion sparked by a nearby fire. The devastation is almost impossible to take in. So far the death toll is 150, but that will no doubt increase. Over 4000 people have been injured, and entire blocks of buildings destroyed leaving already imperiled families and individuals homeless. Beirut and Lebanon in general have been suffering grave economic insecurity due to the upheavals in the Mid East and the influx of refugees from war torn areas. Now comes this explosion and it's threats to so many lives going forward as well as impacted by the explosion. Please help the people of Beirut. There's not a lot we can do from so far away, but if you are able, please help with a contribution toward their medical needs, housing, food, etc. If you are inclined, please go here to make a donation today. The tally is given in pounds, but your donation will be calculated by the dollars you can contribute and converted by the charity. Thank you for any help you can give.   Dear Friends, Our nation is in turmoil, and it was thus the greater sorrow when we learned last Friday night of the death of John Lewis, Congressman from Baltimore, MC Many of us remember Mr. Lewis as a young man, beaten and broken on the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma. He may have been gravely harmed, but he was unbowed, and he rose to continue the fight for justice, racial equality, and the dignity of all people everywhere. He stirred us to action, claimed our attention with his gentle but powerful leadership and challenge to do right. Taken from us by cancer, he nevertheless was able in his last days, to join the "Black Lives Matter" marches near his home. He said not only did the numbers today vastly exceed those of the civil rights movement but the diversity of those raising their voices heartened him enormously. This was the work of all the people now. That was due in no small part to his impact on us. We have been given permission by the author to link you to the New York Times commemoration of Congressman Lewis' life and work. In that long and beautiful tribute lies another link that touched us - the reminder that one of our own, Rev. James Lawson, helped bring both Mr. Lewis and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the practic of non violent demonstrations. As the former pastor of Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, he unites us at the Council with the work of the ages by those courageous and dedicated souls in an earlier time. To read this excellent tribute please go here To read Rev. Lawson's tribute, click here or on his photo below. Mr. Lewis was well known for urging us to confront injustice at all points and to create "good trouble"to achieve what is right and good in our world. Now we are again in the struggle for human equality and fairness as our nation promises but rarely delivers. It is then in their honor that we urge both the non violence of Rev. Lawson's teachings and the "good trouble" of Congressman Lewis' last charge to us. We cannot be idle. We must be wise. We face perilous times but yes, we shall overcome if we keep the faith and the heart of our past and present. In Congressman Lewis' memory, we can do no less. Peace.   Dear Friends,
Once again California is in lockdown. We still can't eat inside at restaurants, can't - or shouldn't - convene groups of friends in close proximity. We are worried about our children and grandchildren in the deliberation of whether to send them to school or not. It's boring and worrisome all at the same time. And then there's the dullness. You've cleaned the house, you've mowed the lawn, you've cooked new things (for better or for worse). You've watched every movie and TV series you can stand, and you've read every book you can lay hands on. You've called old friends who may or may not remember you, and you've gone to worship virtually that is a necessary connection to your congregation but not very fulfilling emotionally. What else do you have to do? So, to alleviate our collective ennui, let's take the Budget Challenge! This year, more than most, we have a budget that is based on hope more than actual income. Today is Tax Day, and the state will determine whether or not there are sufficient revenues for the expenditures we would all like to assure. Next 10, long-time allies of the Council and IMPACT, has the "California Budget Challenge" online. You can use your best insights and best judgement to figure out what we should fund and how we should fund it. If nothing else the Budget Challenge will let you exercise your intellect and express your frustrations with our current situation. Next 10 gives you the parameters - what our situation currently is - and lets you take if from there. If you decide on a workable, moral, and human budget, would you then consider running for public office? We need you! If not, just bask in the glow of a job well done. And possibly share your thoughts with us to pass on to others. We do look for more than "defund it all and Devil take the hindmost" answers, we will say that up front. To take the challenge, please click here Let us know what you decided if you'd like us to share. And anonymity is assured upon request! Have, if not fun, a diversion. Enjoy it if you can! Thank you Dear Friends: Our elections are the foundation blocks of our democracy. Free and fair access is imperative. We have only four months until the next general election, November 3, 2020, and assuring that everyone legally entitled to vote can vote is essential. Black Church PAC has created the contemporary “Freedom Summer” program to reproduce the courageous voter registration drives of the early Civil Rights Era. While this drive is targeted to more Southern states than to our northern and western ones, every state has pockets of voter suppression. No one is immune. Monday, July 6 at noon California time, there will be a webinar on Freedom Summer voter registration drives. You are invited to participate if you are Black clergy and laity or if you serve a diverse population in areas where voter suppression or obstacles may occur. To register for this critical voter registration and enhancement webinar, please click here Other steps you can take, no matter where you reside, is to prepare for long lines and delays at the polls. While in California all voters will be receiving “vote by mail” ballots, things still can go wrong, and support for those standing in line will be needed, Bring cases of water, some food, folding chairs. Enlist your youth to hold line spots for voters needing bathroom breaks. Have masks available for anyone without one. Think about entertainment (socially distanced, of course). There will be spots in every state, even California, where things will not go smoothly. We need to anticipate those problems, be prepared to help voters vote. Thank you!   Dear Friends:
Today, July 1, 2020, our state's governor, Gavin Newsom, has once again had to close many businesses and places we had hoped to have open. The spike in Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases has put a sudden and frighteningly-large number of people in the hospital and has once again strained an already taxed and exhausted health system. The positivity testing for the virus has risen from 4.6% to 6% in just one week. Failure to "flatten the curve" makes shut downs of newly opened operations necessary. Hospitalizations are up 51% and ICU admissions up 47% over the past week. The closure will affect mostly 19 counties in Southern California where the spikes in cases have occurred. The shutdowns will impact about 70% of the state's population. Indoor restaurants, movie theaters and concert venues, wineries, and other similar enclosed spaces that were gradually opening are now slated to close yet again. If the business can operate outdoors, it can continue to function. Churches are still asked to proceed with virtual services, and large gatherings of all kinds are discouraged, even outdoors when social distancing cannot be assured. Bars are being traced as a key factor in increased exposure and are being shut down. This led to a demonstration at the Capitol building by bar owners today. Nevertheless, the order stands. In Southern CA Orange County has been put back on the 'watch' list with Solano, Merced, and Glenn counties also added. Imperial County, another "hot spot" of virus increase is moving to close all non essential businesses as well as public parks. Beaches from San Diego to Sonoma County will not be closed by the state for the upcoming holiday weekend. However, parking will be restricted, and no traffic will be permitted. Counties are taking the initiative to close their own in many cases. Also, counties that have not discontinued fireworks displays are now being asked to do so. The state's requirement that everyone wear masks while out of their own homes or cars is the single best way to regain normality. We learned that former California Governor, Arnold "The Terminator" Schwarzenegger has abandoned his favorite gym in Southern California since he found people not wearing masks. We would argue that if The Terminator can wear masks, anyone can. It's a symbol of strength, not weakness. Please make mask wearing a positive thing among your friends, families, and congregations. The sooner masks and social distancing become the norm, the sooner we can regain some semblance of our former lives. In the meantime, honor the restrictions, wear a mask, and definitely wash your hands. Have your 4th of July celebrations outside with sufficient social distancing, and remember that Independence Day comes every year. These problems shall pass if we work on them together now. Thank you and stay safe.   Dear Friends:
We are sharing a message from our friend and ally, Fred Morris, a United Methodist Church minister who has long championed the plight of immigrants and refugees. He has made it his life's work to protect especially children in need of protection from the dangers to their well being in their home countries and now the threats to their lawful status here. Last Friday was Juneteenth that we celebrate annually to commemorate the end of slavery and to affirm our belief that all men, women and children are created equal. Saturday, June 20th, was World Refugee Day. Let us carry both ideal through our lives by helping raise funds for the children from the San Fernando Valley Refugee Children Center. This is the organization Fred founded in 2015 to aid the hundreds of children who came to us, unaccompanied, fleeing from gang violence in their home countries in Central America. With so much going on in the world, we can’t forget that hundreds of children are still fleeing life-threatening violence and traveling to the United States looking for refuge. The Covid-19 pandemic has limited the Center’s ability to raise funds, which means we are struggling to provide children with the resources they need to survive. As a big win this week, the Supreme Court blocked Trump from ending DACA. However, we still have a lot of work to do. You and I have the influence on social media to bring awareness to this issue and help raise enough funds to help the hundreds of children at the Center. If you’re able to make a donation, please go to tinyurl.com/world-refugee-day to donate, and give a child the support they need and deserve. A donation of even $25 can make a big difference to us. And if you could do that on a monthly basis, it would be even more wonderful. Help us spread the word through social media by sharing the three images attached or click on our Digital Toolkit for suggested copy, videos, more images, hashtags and other ways you can help. #WorldRefugeeDay #SFVRefugeeChildrenCenter On behalf of the hundreds of children at the Center we thank you for your support. The Council thanks you for remembering these children. While we fight for the little ones still locked in cages at our border, let's make sure no other child is further endagered by our fear of "the alien among us". Please help Fred help the children with care and legal assistance to keep them safe. Thank you. |
AuthorThe Rev Dr Rick Schlosser Archives
August 2020
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