Its been a day.  But you know, its never the wrong day to post a theological debate about the Lord's Prayer in Klingon. 

Oh yeah 

Yes, I exist!  Though these days you're better finding me on facebook. 

I'll also be posting a sermon in for friends in a bit. 

Some friends over at my Salem church's Pagan and Christian interfaith dialog list really like this, so I thought I would repost it here.  It was my response to the questions of "why should we celebrate St. Patrick, who oppressed the indigenous Irish?"

( Musings on the Celtic Soul )

Just wanted to cross-post this here from my theology-ish blog.  Its part of a "synch-blog" circle of posts by people interested in Emerging/Postmodern/Christian-Pagan dialog.  This month's theme is Justice and Mission.  I think most respondants are Christian, but are a group Pastor Phil has gathered over the years from around the world, really interesting bunch.  The post just after it is a link to everyone else's.  

For reference, "Christendom" refers to the idea of the "Christian world," basically what Europe and, to some degree America considered themselves for most of recent history, what happened after the union of Church and State with Constantine, and which is only breaking apart with the rise of secularism, the Enlightenment critique, and the realization that there are more Christians outside the global West/North than in it now!  

I share the feeling of many that the union of the message and community of Jesus with state power was a terrible idea, and at least in some part responsible for all the terrible things done in Jesus' name.  My post reflects on this, and what "mission" means in a world that seems more in need of healing than being told it needs to convert.  Wrestling with what this means is a big concern of mine right now. 

Justice and Mission and the Wounds of Christendom

Here's something I'm cross-posting to my new blog too. Some thoughts inspired by this past Holy Week, my studies of Native peoples and things happening in my town.

These are some thoughts I had this last week of Lent, some of which I felt moved to share with my church last night. I thought I would share them here as well, in this "In Between" of Christ's day in the Tomb:

( Into the Tomb )

We won that election tonight... were running unopposed, but had feared a write-in if the turnout was low. I'm certainly pretty grateful at the moment, but we also know its a warning, our people haven't been wholly appreciated, though I know they're trying, and there is still alot of frustration and confusion flying around. But We've got another year of hard work and opportunities, here's praying we can do the right thing.

If anyone's interested (or mildly masochistic :P), they can check things out at www.meetunclebetty.blogspot.com Warning, its a snide, and sometimes quite harsh political blog where i'm one of the few to actually exist as a named person, and thus target for vegetables and rude gestures! :P

I won't be "celebrating" St. Patrick's day with beer tonight... partially because work keeps me from it, because its Holy Week, but also because of some difficult issues facing our world this week. I thought I'd raise three up, with requests for prayer/action as one feels led.

Many people don't know, but St. Patrick has a strong connection to liberation- he was a former slave himself, finding himself led by dreams to return to the people who enslaved him... and during his time in Ireland, he at one point he widely circulated a vitriolic attack on a tribe of bandits who kidnapped an entire peaceful community of new Christians, men women and children. He called on all local chieftens and leaders to condemn/act against this barbaric act, roughly 1200 years before the British/American abolition movements.

The first is the recent uprising/repression in Tibet as we approach the Chinese Olympics. I was at the UN this weekend for a conference on religion and peace work amongst the churches and non-profits, and we saw a large protest there... some people actually got arrested, I think for crossing the line while we were just upstairs. I spent a few moments respectfully joining them in silence and prayer. This article in the Times looks at the current situation and the Dalai Lama's response... not sure what else one can do at this moment besides prayer...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/world/asia/16cnd-tibet.html?ex=1363406400&en=21eebbeb3ea7f31b&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Amnesty posted this concern, for a man in Georgia convicted in a seriously questionable murder case who is yet again facing execution. I was following this when it came up last year, if people could send a quick letter it would be a huge deal:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=10022

Lastly, if people could pray for my community... we're facing another election tonight, of two Village board members. Our people are unopposed at the moment, but with all that's happened we're hoping the other side isn't planning to quietly do a surprise write-in. People seem frustrated and discouraged with everyone at this point, it hurts me to see my homeland in such turmoil, even the plan I support has its drawbacks, but I still believe its the best course. Its a hard time though, and we don't know what's going to happen.

God be with us, before us, behind us, in our rising and our falling. Light of sun, rush of stream, dancing mist, soaring rock, by all the living beauty of this Creation, in the company of saints and all who have come before. Peace be upon our world tonight, Lord, near and far. Grant us peace, peace beyond all understanding, in a world that bleeds. In the name of Jesus, God who suffers with us, Amen.

Hello folks,
As I noted, I'm starting a new blog on some ideas about church/ministry/discernment. Wanted to give people the link and welcome any comments here or there. I may tweek things a bit here too, though I'm going to generally make this more a personal blog and that the site for my theological thoughts/musings. But there will be plenty of cross posting. Enjoy, and keep keeping me honest! ;)

Sorta feels like cheating, but it gives me an excuse to say I posted more often. :P Pastor Phil just put up the recording of that interview on a UK radio station about the relationship between the Christian and Witch communities in Salem. Thought I'd share, for those who missed it the first time around (myself included!)

Also, here is a link to Jeff, a friend and associate pastor there; he's begun posting "live bloggings" of various Emergent services, beginning with ours, to give glimpse of what goes on there. I'm hoping to join him in some of this "pilgrimage," and possibly do some of my own postings!

http://gentry13.blogspot.com/2008/03/ecclesiological-portraits-gathering-for.html#comments

Hi Friends

The radio show Premier Drive, which I was asked to speak on a couple
weeks ago sent me the audio file of the interview. The show was an
interview about the Witches in Salem, and the Christian community
living here. I've downloaded the file onto our website at http://
www.salemgathering.com

You'll find a link to the podcast of the show on the front page.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Grace to You,
Pastor Phil

This relates to a discussion of Homosexuality at the Christianity community. You can find and comment on it <url="http://community.livejournal.com/christianity/3070554.html?mode=reply">here</url> as well. I may also make this the flagship post of a new, "Emergent" blog on blogspot.

The issue of judging, in any matter is one I have been pondering recently. While I need to go back and dig up the verses again, there is stuff in Paul about judging by one's fruits. I feel this is an important standard. Another, related is the Jesus' command to judge not lest you not be judged. Thus, the standard of judgement you use for others is the same that will apply to you.

Lets try applying this. I can actually see it upholding differing forms of "judgement" from Christians in times of deep division, AND help draw us all towards God's deeper truth, together.

I feel this may be a key to understanding some of the deepest divisions in the church today, on many issues. I have tried to do justice to two ways of loving Jesus deeply, but I would welcome others to crique my portrayal. I can only truly speak for where I am.

( Three Journey's Endings )

Just thought I would share this, on the off-chance anyone's up/near a computer. :) The pastor of my church in Salem has been asked to join a radio program which will be streaming live at 10:40 am tomorrow.

Hey Gang,

I've been asked to do a live radio interview in the UK tomorrow at 10:40am EST (USA). Premier Christian Radio is doing a telephone interview on Wednesday 26th with me at this time. The interview is for the Premier Drive show with Bridgitte Tetteh and Dave Rose.

This is what they asked me to consider:

"I wanted to talk about your ministry in Salem. Probably focusing on Paganism, Neo-Paganism, Witchcraft. To let out listeners realise that this still exists and understand that Witches are real people too. To understand how you can minister or talk to someone who may be into Witchcraft . To talk about your experiences with people that are in to Witchcraft."

I am told that interview will be "general and light."

If you would like to tune in to it you can do so online at http://www.premier.org.uk at 10:40am EST, or 7:40am PST for my West coast of the USA friends. This means 3:40pm for my friends in the UK.

I'd love to have your input if you are able to check in to the program.

Pastor Phil

I know I've been bad about updating this place, though I guess 2 times a month is an improvement. Also not sure how many of my friends are still active, got alot of friend's paging to read around here. :P I may start a blogger journal too, probably cross post everything. I'll update people once I set it up.

( My Witchy Church of Awesome! )
( Tears for Home )

Hello, everyone. I just thought I would share an issue I just stumbled across. I've been reading about the Mandaeans, an ancient group who trace their faith back to John the Baptist and who some scholars believe, astonishingly may be the only surviving Gnostic community (or something close). They are not Christian, but trace their beliefs to the time of Jesus and his cousin John. They are mentioned in the Qur'an, and seem to have existed for 2,000 years, as similar Christian Gnostic communities were suppressed as heretics. Many coexisted with Muslims for centuries, but most have recently faced threats and violence in the chaos following the invasion of Iraq. Many have had to flee to neighboring Muslim countries where their rights are also in danger, and some have fled to the United States and Australia. They have received little welcome in either (apparently some are suffering in detention camps in Australia), and scholars fear they may be facing extinction.

A tragic, unforeseen consequence of our country's Iraq war, this tiny community is in great peril. I feel we have a responsibility to welcome these people, since our actions have driven them from their home. There are a few petitions to the US and Australia, kindly consider signing.

About this community: http://forbiddengospels.blogspot.com/2007/02/how-can-we-help-mandaeans-survive.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandean

Petitions:
http://forbiddengospels.blogspot.com/2007/12/mandaean-petition-update.htm
http://www.petitiononline.com/mandaean/petition.html
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Free_Yasamin/

PS- I'm doing well and just got my grades... somehow pulled three A's and a B! *Dances* I'll try and fill people in more when I settle in to spring classes.

x-posted to the Christianity community

Following up on recent discussions of Islam, I wanted to post this very encouraging development- 138 scholars and influential leaders from every major sect/across the Muslim world have extended a formal affirmation of peace and the foundation of Jesus' two greatest commandments, Love of God and Neighbor as foundational to our two faiths. They aren't seeking to minimize differences, and admit the presence of real challenges, but hope this will set an example for peace between the world's two largest religious traditions (composing nearly half the world's population between us). It came out of the dialog with the Pope following his contraversal Regensberg address, and is intended to be addressed to all Christians, Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox (although they admitted inability to individually send it to each of the thousands of Protestant divisions). Its being classed as a formal religious statement by the Muslim community, and is seen to be a very historic moment.

Their site claims it is not intended to exclude people of other religions, but that the Christian-Muslim outreach was seen as most urgent given our present world condition. They draw these statements from both Old and New Testament as well as the Qu'ran, and I believe a few Rabbi's have commented even though it was not directly addressed to them.

Many Christan seminaries, scholars and denominations have begun responding, the dean and a number of faculty here at Harvard Divinity just signed a formal statement from American churches. I thought I would post the links here to share.

Here are some links. There is an option to sign each statement if you so choose, the hope is this message will encourage wider peace initiatives throughout each religion:
Website, explanation and text of the Muslim statement (an abridged statement and FAQ are included):
http://www.acommonword.com/index.php?lang=en

A Christian response organized by Yale Divinity School:
http://www.yale.edu/faith/abou-commonword.htm

Hello again; I'm trying to at least post once a month, for those who still follow LJ. Where to begin? Been so much happening that every time I think of posting I feel overwelmed. But I decided to just run with it.

Things have been good, if uber-busy. Keeping up with things overall, but there are also so many lectures and other opportunities here that I really have to measure my time. I'm also trying to really explore and figure out my plans/vocation this semester, which has made things a little crazy.

I think I've finally hit that point where things are making a little more sense, albeit still partially. It also helped to realize I wasn't the only one running around crazy trying to balance school, figuring everything out and some semblance of a social life. Everyone else seems to have just been focusing on 1 or 2 instead of all 3, or doing a damn fine job of hiding it. :P There are cool people here though, we're all very busy but I've found a few houses that do great pot lucks and monthly get-togethers, and I'm finally feeling more a part of the community.

At this point I'm taking an awesome, if confusing load of classes: 19th Century Philosophy and Critiques of Religion, a ministry-focused intro to Christian Theology, a Comparative/Interreligious Theology class, and a class on Buddhist Peacemaking Ministry with this special guest Zen teacher, Roshi Bernie Glassman. I've hit the point where its starting to synergize, and I'm looking at possibly applying some Buddhist principals to coming up with ways to do religious dialogue and conflict resolution. Still figuring out the specifics, and whether to be more ministerial or academic, but I just found out about some ways to turn the ministry degree into an academic focus and get to stay here 3 years. Whoot! Oh yeah, I'm also auditing German, crazy person that I am.

I've also been able to connect, to varying degrees with some students and organizations relating to Native American concerns and spirituality, which is exciting. I spent yesterday meeting animamusika believeinlife in Salem, which was great. One program fell through, but we were able to hear ghost stories on-board a recreated sailing vessel, which was fun, as well as just explore and get a feel for the two. Its a big place this time of year, for obvious reasons and, while somewhat overcommercialized at places has become a big center of the Pagan community, which is interesting. It seemed appropriate to visit and honor those who suffered in that place several centuries before on the eve of Samhein/All Souls Eve when the barriers between worlds is believe to thin in many traditions.

Massachusetts is definitely a special place to be this time of year... there is something different about it, a feeling of the weight of history upon the land. Not just of the history of the first colonies established here, but of millions of native peoples before that whose stories weren't written down. I've come to believe with many indigenous traditions that a land holds memories of all that came before, and you can definitely feel it here in the air, whispering through the trees and beneath your feet. I'm trying to find simple ways to honor that this week, in spontaneous walks, candle lightings and prayers of rememberance. I'm also taking part in a special "Day of the Dead" service with the Harvard Div. Latin American community this week, in special rememberence of women killed in the chilling epidemic of murders in several Mexican communities for years now.

Hope people are well, and my prayers for all of us near and far, living and deceased. May this time of year remind us of the connections that extend further than the eye can see... till we meet again.

Hello everyone. I'm hoping to post a bit more from here, now that I've got a reliable connection, if not more free time. :P But I miss everyone, and want to keep you in the loop now that I'm further away.

But first, I want to give a memorium to one of my favorite authors Robert Jordan (James Oliver Rigney, Jr.), who passed yesterday after a valiant fight against a rare blood disease. I'm including some information for anyone who would like to send their prayers/condolences. His wife Harriet, to whom he dedicated all his books deeply appreciated the outpouring of support that has been given to him all along, and there's a chance to email messages to the funeral home at this link that the family will get. (http://www.dragonmount.com/ actual link is http://www.jhenrystuhr.com/)

For what its worth, it seems pretty certain he safeguarded his legacy, the final book of his sweeping series in extensive notes and instructions to his wife. I don't really want to say more 'bout that just now, though I am hopeful knowing life-long work should see its proper completion.

As for Boston stuff... well, guess I'll get back to that in a bit. I'm doing well, first day of classes today, but I need a little time first. Take care, everyone.

Just thought I'd post an infrequent update, I'm trying to get better at this! After a very crazy couple of weeks of searching, and a visit last weekend, I seem to have finally found a place! The room itself is fairly small, though I also share a decent sized kitchen, sitting room, bathroom and YARD with 2 other people who seem quite cool. Did I mention a YARD?? With TREES, in BOSTON?? Sorry, I'm good. The BIG steal, however is the fact that the place is literally like 5 short blocks from campus. Down a shady, tree-lined walk. Its crazy, like 10 minutes on foot, or less on bike. I am, in face arguably closer than at some places in Drew. *grins* I'm literally across the border of neighborhoods, as close as one can get to Harvard without paying painful Cambridge rents. And William James' house is down the street from me. *extreme geekery*

Anyway, I'm good... and not moving till at least the first week of september. Will only be a 4-5 hour/$15 chinatown bus ride away after that, but I will be busy so hope to see as many of you as I can before I go. *HUGS*

And yeah, to those of you who haven't seen me on much I'm sorry; mostly the reality of working long hours and sharing 1 line with 3 people. If you do need to reach me, after 9 pm on my cell is always a good bet, sometimes a little before that. Don't be shy, I'm trying to be a little less reclusive.

I've posted about this once in the past (and my deep thanks to those who were able to help then- I discovered I may owe pictures to one or two, please poke me if you didn't get them).

While in high school I spent three of the most important weeks of my life at a program in Sussex County New Jersey- the Christian Outreach Project. I was able to come back in 2005 as an adult leader, and hope to do so again this June.

The Christian Outreach Project (COP) is sponsored by area United Methodist Churches, and is very similar to Habitat for Humanity. It focuses on short-term repair/improvement projects rather than complete home construction (due to is focus on youth-volunteers and projects completable within a week), and serves families whom age, health, financial or other extraordinary circumstances have put in a place of great need.

I've included a link and a more in-depth writeup ( here )
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/cop/

Each participant is expected to cover $320, the cost of work-materials as well as our own food/housing. If you do feel able to contribute (even a token amount) it would be deeply appreciated. I have already advanced the money myself, so checks can be written to me (contact here or via my email and I'll provide an address). I'm well aware most of us are tight right now, but thought I would share the need. This is a wonderful program, a life changing experience for me and many others. Thanks for taking the time to read, in any case!

I don't ussually post links (or anything, if you know my journal :P). But a friend passed this to me and I could not resist. Its fantastic, and I know most of the people who have ever gamed with me would appreciate it. Well written, too.

http://www.glasswings.com.au/comics/unicornjelly/urulesmystories.html

Just wanted to toss up a rare post to congratulate all my Drewids who graduated yesterday, both those I saw and wasn't able to see before being rudely dragged away by my job. And to share a larger realization I had yesterday.

It was just wonderful yesterday, half-unconscious as I was from a late night, to lay out on the Drew lawn with so many old friends and just know that I had come home. Drew is without fraternaties (not necc a bad thing, unless you count Hoyt's cult), and yet I consider you to be family in the truest sense.

I read a sociology article during my time at drew on the the idea of a "Tribe," a familial unit amongst 20-somethings which is the result of delayed marriage age. The tribe becomes a close-knit network of people which provides many of the functions of family, eating, confiding and even living together for various periods. College naturally leads to this, and yet the fact that we're still together, able to pick up seemingly right where we left off confirms this to me.

I love you guys- and promise to do my best to have some crazy tribal gatherings before I sneak off to Boston this fall.