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.

​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:

Once again we share an insight from our friend and ally, Jim Burklo.  His posts, "Musings" always give us uplift and something to reduce our stress and worries.  We share this with you today.

Sighs Too Deep: Breathing in a time of pandemic and protest

More MUSINGS by Jim Burklo

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words."  (St Paul, Romans 8: 26)

I needed to sigh. 

So up to the mountains I went this past Saturday, and hiked among the huge slabs of sandstone at 4,000 feet on the desert side of the San Gabriel Mountains.  I paused to stand under a scrubby piñon pine tree and listen to the voice of its stubby needles in the cool clear wind. 

Last week, while I was teaching a mindfulness meditation class for USC students and staff on Zoom, we got into a discussion after I led the group through a "body scan" meditation, guiding them to attend to any emotions that might be associated with sensations in their bodies.  Several said that their breath was the focal point.  One woman said she found herself sighing in the meditation - and sighing a lot in general.  Others reported the same experience.  Then a graduate student in the class spoke up:  "Isn't this what's up for everybody now?  The coronavirus takes away your breath.  George Floyd, as he was dying under the policeman's knee, cried 'I can't breathe!'  And we are all sighing because of the mix of emotions we are feeling!" 

Her astute observation reminded me that when the virus started spreading, and the lockdown began, I found myself sighing a lot.  What was happening to the entire human race, all around the planet, was truly breathtaking.  In recent weeks I have noticed that the sighing stopped.  I habituated. 

I also habituated to police violence against black people. When the news about George Floyd's murder came out, I was saddened and disgusted, but my breath was not taken away.  Just another incident in a long series of examples of the lingering scourge of racism in America. 

Until I read a Facebook post written by a fellow member of Mt Hollywood Church in Los Angeles.  Hilary's anguish was palpable.  As a black woman with a son, she was in despair that what happened to George Floyd could happen to her own child.  Her despair broke through my spiritually-insulated, white-privileged soul.  With hers, finally, my sighs were too deep for words. 

I'm grateful that Hilary took my breath away.  I'm grateful to belong to a church where the Spirit can blow down the walls that inhibit our vulnerability, as she did for me. 

If we're sighing, we're not alone.  We're sighing with the Holy Spirit of divine Love who comisserates with us.  The biblical Greek word for "spirit" is "pneuma", which also means "breath".  If we're sighing, we're feeling emotion.  And emotion is energy.  Mindfulness practice and contemplative prayer are not about breathing deeply and being relaxed.  They are about paying attention to our experiences and thoughts and emotions and letting them be, even if they're hard.   And if we know our emotions, we'll be in touch with their energy, and then we can channel that energy into creative, positive work to relieve the suffering and injustice around us. 

Contemplative practice is the very opposite of withdrawal from the world and its struggles.  It is what we do in order to feel again when we've become hard-hearted, and to get clarity about how best to direct that power for the good of others.  When I am hard-hearted, when I am complacent, I don't know how to pray as I ought.  I need help.  Hilary helped.  And so did that piñon tree in the mountains.

Each kind of pine has its own voice in the wind, tuned to the length of its needles.  I stood and listened to the piñon, until divine Love made me sigh once more.

 
JIM BURKLO
Blog: MUSINGS
Senior Associate Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life, University of Southern California
JIM BURKLOSenior Associate Dean, Office of Religious Life, 
University of Southern California 
 
Copyright © 2019, Jim Burklo. All rights reserved.

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