As a note, I'm always cautious about writing on ceremony or events I'm aware of in Native circles for concerns of privacy and respect- but was encouraged to blog in this case by the organizer and other folks who planned to do the same. Wanted to share a few thoughts, and gratitude for how I was able to spend "Thanksgiving" this year.
Cead Mile Failte is Irish Gaelic, my ancestral tongue for 100,000 welcomes,* (an expression I learned courtesy of a gentleman in the Outdoor Church where I work), and has been on my heart since returning home this evening from an incredible weekend. The patient few who follow my blog may know by now I've been increasingly getting to know Boston's Native community in my work at Harvard Divinity School, and hope to eventually do some work in solidarity with the first peoples of this land I feel humbly blessed to grow up on. It has been, of course a challenging process, finding ways to serve which respect the boundaries and tensions injustices and racism have created between Native people and the wider culture. I am grateful for the many patient teachers I've had along the way, including many of the folks at the Center I describe below.
I first met Robert Peters, an artist and local member of the Mashpee Wampanoag (the local tribe who, incidentally were the people to keep the Pilgrims alive** so long ago) at the North American Indian Center (NAICOB) where I'd spent my summer internship. I'd heard of his work which included, among other things a project teaching Native youth traditional home construction and the creation of art which dotted the Center's offices. His family was very involved in the life of his tribe, his family moving there in the 70's to help lead the fight for their land rights. Robert helped to open the sacred fire for this year's Powwow, creating a beautiful pit with the four-directions of his own tribe's medicine wheel in colored sand. We got to talking during my off-times working the grill at the Powwow, and I felt deeply welcomed as he shared stories about his art and people with me. I was really surprised, however when he casually asked me "why don't you come back tonight, we could use some help with the fire." (I found out later he'd already been passed a few good words from my supervisor, an old friend)
Knowing fully what a special request this was, I agreed, and spent an incredible night camping out under the stars with members of his family and community. It was a little intimidating, I admit, approaching the fire that first time at night- I the white Christian guy who, though invited was coming in suddenly out of the dark in the inner-city to a trusted circle quite laden with a painful history of racism and injustice from my part of society- but this dissolved in seconds as I was warmly welcomed by his kids and family, heard stories of cultural and language preservation, and ask to share my story too. It was one of the most special nights of my life, sleeping out on the ceremonial ground of a place I'd spent my summer getting to know in more administrative ways. In some small way, too joining an act of resistance, camping out in one of the biggest cities on the East Coast, and affirming that these original ways of community and life still have so much to teach us today.
Robert and I stayed in touch, getting to know each other better at various events and Powwows, and he informed me there were plans to actually hold a special Thanksgiving program, a Healing Fire he'd begun within his tribal community, at NAICOB this year. This Wampanoag Medicine Fire actually began the year of September 11th as a way to honor ancestors and strengthen indigenous communities for the future in this new era of our nation. The fire has occurred every year since 2001, traveling to many of the tribes which remain (though often overlooked/without Federal standing) here in Massachusetts- often with Talking Circles on issues unique to their community. This year there would be two fires, one at its Mashpee birthplace, and one in Boston to welcome the city's large Native community and the work and history of NAICOB. I was invited again to come, this time to help out during the four day vigil and welcome people (as well as do a little publicity). I was humbled beyond words, but happy to help.
So I headed out for a "different sort of thanksgiving," bringing a tent and lots of rain-gear down to camp out in that field. Its a peaceful, if somewhat unussual site- sandwiched between a branch of the Greenline E-Train, and a small highway, though with a beautiful pond/park just below and a hill and fence masking the city traffic above. A sweeping willow and a ring of smaller trees hang over a playground and the ceremonial/Powwow grounds below, and various fire-rings and remains of past events have quietly faded into the grass. The place holds a great deal of history, and one can feel it there... almost 40 years of events public and more private for Boston's indigenous community. Painfully, however its days may be numbered- as the State of Massachusetts attempted to sell the entire site to fill its own coffers a few years back- predictably considering Boston's only Indian center the first to go. The Center just barely won a struggle for the building itself, but their beloved ceremonial grounds were sold to developers. They are grateful to still have permission to use it- and various obstacles seem to have delayed any "development"*** of the land, but it was hard to know the land we were using- land which spiritually if not on paper feels very much the property of generations of Native folks- could be bulldozed at any time. The Medicine Fire was held in this spirit- and awareness that this could be one of the last possible here.
I arrived Thursday morning just before dawn and was present for a simple circle that greeted the new day with new fire. A small, but surprising number of folks made it, and the willow tree exploded with birdsong, all at once halfway through the ceremony. It was really beautiful, sun over the lake and the world coming to life around us.
The rest of Thanksgiving day was peaceful and, thankfully devoid of rain until its end. People trickled in all day from family dinners, staying for a few hours or more to tend the fire and share stories and conversation. We heard from folks working at NAICOB, people just arrived in the city, and folks with hard stories from reservations up North in Canada (where, as one man put it many folks would "rather come here and be homeless but have something to do."). It was a fascinating experience, people simply coming and going, getting smudged with sacred sage or sweetgrass to enter the circle but with few formal expectations or demands beyond that. A sense of deep sacredness pervaded it, however, unspoken but real- and I was humbled at the intimacy and trust, as people shared their stories with old friends and new folks alike. Folks even gathered willow branches from a fallen tree partway through, and started making dream-catchers and other weavings around the fire, sharing local techniques and craft traditions.
The first night was rainy, and turned cold all of a sudden- though not as bad as it might be. We felt surprisingly "taken care of" as some winds seemed to be blowing heavier rains to the south away from us according to a community member with an internet/GPS connection. As night and the mists fell, despite the noisy highway that never quite emptied even on that lazy thanksgiving night, a sense of enclosure and privacy still filled the area. This felt like a home, and holy ground and not much else out there mattered. A friend (a Mik'maq pastor who's also mentored me) came and stayed a long vigil so Robert and I could sleep some- praying deeply into the night and relishing the silence... the stories, and pictures he shared of that "thinness" around the fire with us later were very special... and I think I caught a hint of it in my dreams, a few feet away.
The next day was wet and cold, though I stayed for a grateful thanksgiving care package sent from Robert's family. Home to get some work done in hopes of staying the second night-- but quickly stressed at how much I had to do. Robert told me not to worry, simply come the next day if I could for the big Talking Circle, but this was when things got interesting.
I decided to turn in a little early, frustrated at how much was left and hoping to get up early to work in the morning too... but I couldn't sleep. My bed was too warm (ironic after a night of cold rain!). My mind too wired. Most of all the wind (or maybe a few spirits?) kept whistling against my window. Which was OPEN, but still not giving me any cool air. It was a beautiful, haunting sound, reminding me of the wind over that lake the night before, and was calling to me.
But most of all, it was the thought of folks still out there... folks who'd offered me such tremendous hospitality and trust, in a community that has every reason to hold such things in careful reserve. I knew they'd be ok without me, there was no guilt... but in the face of such gratitude, I could not spend the night indoors- no matter how wise it might be academically. So I snuck out at midnight, caught the last bus (with an extra quilt**** trailing behind me in the rain to bemused passengers), and surprised a few folk at the fire. "You're supposed to be studying" Robert said, amused. I just shrugged with a grin.
I made it back here eventually, in time to write half a paper after this blog post. Today was our most packed, though and it was wonderful to stay for the Circle. Lots of kids there... and I was able to share a little of my story- something I'd held back a bit out of desire to listen on other days, when it came to my turn. I summed it up in that Gaelic phrase above- 100,000 welcomes, as gratitude to this community for asking me to be a part of something so sacred. Something which, frankly should have been the fruits of thanksgiving the FIRST time. But humbled, most of all that a community which had endured so much injustice still carried a hospitality, and generosity that could put an Irishman to shame.
Abundance beyond words. I think the Irish sense for exaggeration even falls short, 388 years after that first mixed try at a Thanksgiving.
Caed Mile Failte- 100,000 welcomes. It doesn't quite cut it, but comes close.
______________________________________________________
*Expressions of this sort often spoke of infinity, or unfathomable abundance in the ancient world- 70 or 7x70 in the Hebraic/Semitic culture (Jesus' use for the # of times to forgive being the best-known), "10,000" shows up frequently in ancient Chinese and other East Asian texts. Never ones to be outdone, the Celts go all the way to 100,000 in common expression today.
**And, a generation be enslaved after a brutal war triggered by colonial greed, the side of the story most folks don't know.
***Development being a word laden with enough irony and contradiction to make one's ears bleed as anyone who knows my own activism in my community expects me to note. Land inhabited by century old trees, birds or animals is somehow lacking, and must be "completed" by cold iron, pavement and sterile desolation. The fact should not be overlooked that the same idea was applied to PEOPLE as an excuse to repeatedly depose "undeveloped" people from their ancestral birthright and create the country we live in today- leaving them the dregs of the bottle. Its continuing today, as the only formal site for Native culture and spiritual practice in the city of Boston is secondary to the State's need to cover up its inabilities to balance a budget justly.
****Let them stare... I ended up needing that quilt, durnit. :P
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Indigenous People's Day of Resistance Vigil at Harvard today, 5 pm
Students from the Native American's at Harvard College, as well as other groups will be gathering today in front of Matthews Hall* at 5 pm. All are welcome to join in celebrating an alternative to "Columbus Day" in solidarity with the indigenous people of the Americas.
*Matthews Hall is near the bottom of Harvard Yard, T-side, and near the "dig" at the old Indian College. Students will be gathering in front of a plague on Matthews commemorating Harvard's founding commitment to educate Native students in a building that once stood there.
*Matthews Hall is near the bottom of Harvard Yard, T-side, and near the "dig" at the old Indian College. Students will be gathering in front of a plague on Matthews commemorating Harvard's founding commitment to educate Native students in a building that once stood there.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Returning From Sacred Ground
I just got back from a Powwow at Black Creek in New Jersey. It takes place on a 10,000 year old Native American site preserved by grassroots efforts by local Historians and the Nanticoke-Leni Lenape tribe of New Jersey, and celebrates their victory in preserving this historic and spiritually significant site of New Jersey's first peoples.
I've been hoping to get to know some of the local tribes of my region better, especially after discovering in my time here just how many non-Federally recognized tribes are out there and active in preserving their ways of life and community. Many of these groups have a hard time because they lack the leverage and programs of Federally recognized groups- and in many cases suffer more because they refused to the "deals" offered to be driven from their homelands.
The Leni Lenape people were made up of many distinct communities spread throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Southern New York, including the people who probably inhabited the beautiful mountains I call home. The people from my area, likelyMunsee Lenapi, were driven west long ago, but my family and I have been doing some historical research and were excited to learn of this Powwow, as we've been hoping to get to know some regional communties and better represent the history of our own town and the beautiful land that has always been so significant to us as a family.
It was a beautiful day, smaller because of a rain-date but still a wonderful event. We were able to tour the trails and learn about the lives of the peoples here since the last Ice Age- rolling grassy hills, forests and the hauntingly beautiful Black Creek with its cattails, wild-birds, turtles and unique trade route with many of the Hudson tribes to the North. It was beautiful to get a sense of the home of one of several people's responsible one of the first, true names for this continent "Turtle Island." In addition to a research and educational site, Black Creek is increasingly place of pilgrimage and prayer for Native people around the continent. We were also able to meet a local archaeologist doing some work just next door to my friend (Historic District Comissioner Christopher Lotito), and learn of some more incredible pictographic sites in our own area.
Many dancers, drummers and members of the Nanticoke-Lenape Tribe were made a four hour trek to support the event. I was able to speak to the Red Blanket drum group, and learn a little more of their fascinating history- actually the union of two peoples, Lenape and Nanticoke, a people further to the South with ties to the tribes in Virginia and Maryland, who survived by coming together after many of their people were driven west. Their drum group has great energy and their first CD, and is unique for working hard to continue composing music in their language as a means of preserving it. They even honored us with a traditional story and dance not ussually shared at Powwows, which honors the "Three Sisters" (Corn, Beans and Squash) who have fed their people for millenia.
Their a great group of young people and doing good work for their people and traditions well worth supporting. You can find them on Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/redblanketsingers
http://www.myspace.com/nllipowwow
Some other Links:
More about the Black Creek Site:
http://vernonhistoricalsociety.com/Site/Black%20Creek%20Site.html
Nanticoke-Lenape Tribe- they are now state recognized, which is thankfully helping them gain more programs for their people, including a Diabetes Program which tabled the Powwow.
http://www.nanticoke-lenape.org/
The nearest nation to us, the Ramapough Lenape. They are NJ State recognized, and seeking it in New York. Turns out they were involved in some watershed protection work my mom was involved in as well, as one of the streams in our town reaches their community. Amazing how small our world can be.
http://www.ramapoughlenapenation.org/
Their present struggle to seek recognition in New York
I've been hoping to get to know some of the local tribes of my region better, especially after discovering in my time here just how many non-Federally recognized tribes are out there and active in preserving their ways of life and community. Many of these groups have a hard time because they lack the leverage and programs of Federally recognized groups- and in many cases suffer more because they refused to the "deals" offered to be driven from their homelands.
The Leni Lenape people were made up of many distinct communities spread throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Southern New York, including the people who probably inhabited the beautiful mountains I call home. The people from my area, likelyMunsee Lenapi, were driven west long ago, but my family and I have been doing some historical research and were excited to learn of this Powwow, as we've been hoping to get to know some regional communties and better represent the history of our own town and the beautiful land that has always been so significant to us as a family.
It was a beautiful day, smaller because of a rain-date but still a wonderful event. We were able to tour the trails and learn about the lives of the peoples here since the last Ice Age- rolling grassy hills, forests and the hauntingly beautiful Black Creek with its cattails, wild-birds, turtles and unique trade route with many of the Hudson tribes to the North. It was beautiful to get a sense of the home of one of several people's responsible one of the first, true names for this continent "Turtle Island." In addition to a research and educational site, Black Creek is increasingly place of pilgrimage and prayer for Native people around the continent. We were also able to meet a local archaeologist doing some work just next door to my friend (Historic District Comissioner Christopher Lotito), and learn of some more incredible pictographic sites in our own area.
Many dancers, drummers and members of the Nanticoke-Lenape Tribe were made a four hour trek to support the event. I was able to speak to the Red Blanket drum group, and learn a little more of their fascinating history- actually the union of two peoples, Lenape and Nanticoke, a people further to the South with ties to the tribes in Virginia and Maryland, who survived by coming together after many of their people were driven west. Their drum group has great energy and their first CD, and is unique for working hard to continue composing music in their language as a means of preserving it. They even honored us with a traditional story and dance not ussually shared at Powwows, which honors the "Three Sisters" (Corn, Beans and Squash) who have fed their people for millenia.
Their a great group of young people and doing good work for their people and traditions well worth supporting. You can find them on Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/redblanketsingers
http://www.myspace.com/nllipowwow
Some other Links:
More about the Black Creek Site:
http://vernonhistoricalsociety.com/Site/Black%20Creek%20Site.html
Nanticoke-Lenape Tribe- they are now state recognized, which is thankfully helping them gain more programs for their people, including a Diabetes Program which tabled the Powwow.
http://www.nanticoke-lenape.org/
The nearest nation to us, the Ramapough Lenape. They are NJ State recognized, and seeking it in New York. Turns out they were involved in some watershed protection work my mom was involved in as well, as one of the streams in our town reaches their community. Amazing how small our world can be.
http://www.ramapoughlenapenation.org/
Their present struggle to seek recognition in New York
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Papal Dreams
I just thought I would share an interesting, and somewhat amusing dream I had, in light of some experiences yesterday.
As many know, Pope Benedict is visiting America right now. I admit being witness to this is interesting, given my current study of some of the "crack-downs" he led against a number of theologians in the area of interreligious dialog (and also liberation theology) as Cardinal Ratzinger who served as a doctrinal "police man" of sorts. He was, and continues to be seen as a contraversal figure by some. We just read a bittersweet interview with Jacques Dupuis and another friend, both insiders from the Vatican II era, who critiqued the direction things were going shortly before dying a few years back. Dupuis had been one of Cardinal Ratzinger's targets for his work pondering the role of the Holy Spirit in other religions, though the Vatican was unable to prove his work to be anything more than "potentially confusing"- they could not prove it doctrinally in error.
Dupuis and his friend were lamenting the passing of their generation, and feeling much of the spirit of Vatican II had been left unfulfilled. Each died shortly before Ratzinger became the next Pope, leaving their promises to write more on this at the interview's end unfulfilled.
All the same, I've tried to keep an open mind about our current Pope. I was impressed with his choice to pray in the Blue Mosque in the wake of his paper's hurt in the Muslim world- something I had NOT expected from the formal Cardinal's past stances on inter-faith prayer. The gesture, in my mind showed a willingness to genuinely reach out and, as Pope take on a wider role, in the spirit of his predescesor than he might have been comfortable with up to that point.
All this in mind, I was curious about his visit but also unsure how much time I'd have to follow it. He isn't coming here, a fact which has hurt some in this the groud-zero of sex abuse scandels, though he did (finally) offer two serious apologies this past week. Still, I decided to watch a little last night, pondering ways to continue to remain true to my Catholic heritage.
It was an interesting footage, catching bits on CSPAN and the other networks. I saw him speaking of the scandels, as well as questions about pastoral issues, what Christian mission/salvation can mean for young people today, and his favorite topic of secularization. The newsprogram pointed out, in a helpful way the framing of this visit as a pastoral, spiritual concern. I saw this in his words- long as they were, being an academic at heart :), they really did focus more than I expected on simple issues like living out love, community and hope in our world. Pope Benedict's first official teaching was on love (still need to finish it, I admit), which was also telling. Even his talk on Priests was very practical and down to earth, talking about ways to discuss the value of celibacy today, not throwing around tons of theological jargon but speaking, I sensed to his fellow Bishops out of a shared experience of lived-community between them. It felt, simply put, like a careful display of another worldview, and attempt dig deep into parts of the Christian tradition which he wanted to share, and remind us of with new eyes.
There was also a celebration of his 81st birthday, and a gift given in solidarity to the churches of New Orleans. While I admit stately gold-flowers don't seem the best gift to me, it was a moving gesture.
Lastly, one thing he said struck with me- on a question of how salvation/the Gospel can even mean anything to todays' culture, he said something pretty radical- that new, imaginative ways of explaining what salvation means are needed. While he didn't go into details, I had a sense of things I've been talking about, of wider, deeper understandings of Jesus than sometimes gets tossed around as "getting saved from you sin!" in some circles here. It reminded me that, for all its beaurocracy the Catholic Church, as one of the oldest continuous traditions can bring uinque gifts when it shares its own diverse history and treasures.
After all of this, I went to sleep... partway through the night I found myself back in St. Pat's, the church I was Baptized and initially grew up in. I've had a few church dreams here/in similar places, but in this one I was getting Confirmed- again, oddly enough. I was a little unsure/puzzled by this, but as I have been recently pondering ways to participate and honor the two heritages I grew up in, it seemed ok, I supposed. I looked around though, wondering where the Bishop (who confirms people for Catholics) was. There wasn't one, only the Pope. I remembered the Pope is, of course the Bishop of Rome, but evidently he was confirming me! I wasn't sure what to think of all of this, obviously it was a great honor, but I also have the above-mentioned mixed feelings. Still, in light of the personal, and pastoral side of him I saw last night, it didn't feel quite as weird as one might expect.
I shared this story, jokingly in my Hindu-Christian dialog course today. My professor, and advisor Father Clooney joked that it would perhaps be prophetic if I ended up a ordained 20 years from now! It was an odd, but symbolic dream of where I am spiritually at the moment, as I try to dialog with the many parts of my Christian-roots- just thought to share.
As many know, Pope Benedict is visiting America right now. I admit being witness to this is interesting, given my current study of some of the "crack-downs" he led against a number of theologians in the area of interreligious dialog (and also liberation theology) as Cardinal Ratzinger who served as a doctrinal "police man" of sorts. He was, and continues to be seen as a contraversal figure by some. We just read a bittersweet interview with Jacques Dupuis and another friend, both insiders from the Vatican II era, who critiqued the direction things were going shortly before dying a few years back. Dupuis had been one of Cardinal Ratzinger's targets for his work pondering the role of the Holy Spirit in other religions, though the Vatican was unable to prove his work to be anything more than "potentially confusing"- they could not prove it doctrinally in error.
Dupuis and his friend were lamenting the passing of their generation, and feeling much of the spirit of Vatican II had been left unfulfilled. Each died shortly before Ratzinger became the next Pope, leaving their promises to write more on this at the interview's end unfulfilled.
All the same, I've tried to keep an open mind about our current Pope. I was impressed with his choice to pray in the Blue Mosque in the wake of his paper's hurt in the Muslim world- something I had NOT expected from the formal Cardinal's past stances on inter-faith prayer. The gesture, in my mind showed a willingness to genuinely reach out and, as Pope take on a wider role, in the spirit of his predescesor than he might have been comfortable with up to that point.
All this in mind, I was curious about his visit but also unsure how much time I'd have to follow it. He isn't coming here, a fact which has hurt some in this the groud-zero of sex abuse scandels, though he did (finally) offer two serious apologies this past week. Still, I decided to watch a little last night, pondering ways to continue to remain true to my Catholic heritage.
It was an interesting footage, catching bits on CSPAN and the other networks. I saw him speaking of the scandels, as well as questions about pastoral issues, what Christian mission/salvation can mean for young people today, and his favorite topic of secularization. The newsprogram pointed out, in a helpful way the framing of this visit as a pastoral, spiritual concern. I saw this in his words- long as they were, being an academic at heart :), they really did focus more than I expected on simple issues like living out love, community and hope in our world. Pope Benedict's first official teaching was on love (still need to finish it, I admit), which was also telling. Even his talk on Priests was very practical and down to earth, talking about ways to discuss the value of celibacy today, not throwing around tons of theological jargon but speaking, I sensed to his fellow Bishops out of a shared experience of lived-community between them. It felt, simply put, like a careful display of another worldview, and attempt dig deep into parts of the Christian tradition which he wanted to share, and remind us of with new eyes.
There was also a celebration of his 81st birthday, and a gift given in solidarity to the churches of New Orleans. While I admit stately gold-flowers don't seem the best gift to me, it was a moving gesture.
Lastly, one thing he said struck with me- on a question of how salvation/the Gospel can even mean anything to todays' culture, he said something pretty radical- that new, imaginative ways of explaining what salvation means are needed. While he didn't go into details, I had a sense of things I've been talking about, of wider, deeper understandings of Jesus than sometimes gets tossed around as "getting saved from you sin!" in some circles here. It reminded me that, for all its beaurocracy the Catholic Church, as one of the oldest continuous traditions can bring uinque gifts when it shares its own diverse history and treasures.
After all of this, I went to sleep... partway through the night I found myself back in St. Pat's, the church I was Baptized and initially grew up in. I've had a few church dreams here/in similar places, but in this one I was getting Confirmed- again, oddly enough. I was a little unsure/puzzled by this, but as I have been recently pondering ways to participate and honor the two heritages I grew up in, it seemed ok, I supposed. I looked around though, wondering where the Bishop (who confirms people for Catholics) was. There wasn't one, only the Pope. I remembered the Pope is, of course the Bishop of Rome, but evidently he was confirming me! I wasn't sure what to think of all of this, obviously it was a great honor, but I also have the above-mentioned mixed feelings. Still, in light of the personal, and pastoral side of him I saw last night, it didn't feel quite as weird as one might expect.
I shared this story, jokingly in my Hindu-Christian dialog course today. My professor, and advisor Father Clooney joked that it would perhaps be prophetic if I ended up a ordained 20 years from now! It was an odd, but symbolic dream of where I am spiritually at the moment, as I try to dialog with the many parts of my Christian-roots- just thought to share.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
New post, to spare people's browsers. :P
Nabbing Phil's list, these are all the people involved in the "Synch-Blog," a monthly international blog discussion Pastor Phil started.
Phil Wyman at Square No More - Salem: No Place for Hating Witches
Mike Bursell at Mike's Musings
Bryan Riley at at Charis Shalom
Steve Hayes writes about Khanya: Christianity and social justice
Reba Baskett at In Reba's World
Prof Carlos Z. with Ramblings from a Sociologist
Cobus van Wyngaard at My Contemplations: David Bosch, Public Theology, Social Justic
Cindy Harvey at Tracking the Edge
Alan Knox at The Assembling of the Church
Matthew Stone at Matt Stone Journeys in Between
John Smulo at JohnSmulo.com
Sonja Andrews at Calacirian
Lainie Petersen at Headspace
KW Leslie: Shine: not let it shine
Stephanie Moulton at Faith and the Environment Collide
Julie Clawson at One Hand Clapping
Steve Hollinghurst at On Earth as in Heaven
Sam Norton at Elizaphanian: Tesco is a Big Red Herring
Kieran Conroy at Emergent Wrestlings: Just Mission and the Wounds of Christendom
Nabbing Phil's list, these are all the people involved in the "Synch-Blog," a monthly international blog discussion Pastor Phil started.
Phil Wyman at Square No More - Salem: No Place for Hating Witches
Mike Bursell at Mike's Musings
Bryan Riley at at Charis Shalom
Steve Hayes writes about Khanya: Christianity and social justice
Reba Baskett at In Reba's World
Prof Carlos Z. with Ramblings from a Sociologist
Cobus van Wyngaard at My Contemplations: David Bosch, Public Theology, Social Justic
Cindy Harvey at Tracking the Edge
Alan Knox at The Assembling of the Church
Matthew Stone at Matt Stone Journeys in Between
John Smulo at JohnSmulo.com
Sonja Andrews at Calacirian
Lainie Petersen at Headspace
KW Leslie: Shine: not let it shine
Stephanie Moulton at Faith and the Environment Collide
Julie Clawson at One Hand Clapping
Steve Hollinghurst at On Earth as in Heaven
Sam Norton at Elizaphanian: Tesco is a Big Red Herring
Kieran Conroy at Emergent Wrestlings: Just Mission and the Wounds of Christendom
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Any Electronic Exorcists Out there (Last Rites also Welcome)
Apologies to anyone looking for my shared post with Jeff on church-visiting. My laptop took a metaphysical dive into the unknown last week, unfortunately not giving any return address. :P Fortunately most of my post is saved, but not having a computer this close to finals has been stressful to save the least. I hope to have the post finished and here soon.
Also stay tuned for an Earth Day liturgy I created from what became a beautiful class discussion on religion, ecology and peacebuilding in my BU peacemaking course.
Also stay tuned for an Earth Day liturgy I created from what became a beautiful class discussion on religion, ecology and peacebuilding in my BU peacemaking course.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Holy Saturday: Prayers for the Healing of our Land in the Tomb of Christ
The terrible suffering of our world, in many places and forms has been esspecially on my heart in the last weeks of Lent. I've been feeling close to the suffering of Jesus, and the belief that Jesus, the "God who is with us" (Emmanuel) of the Christian tradition is esspecially present with the suffering of our world. It seems to give many people's hope in the face of problems and injustices which seem overwelming.
As someone who grew up esspecially close to nature, the sufferings of our non-human neighbors is esspecially painful to me as well. I shared an experience I had in Salem at our Good Friday service in Salem last night- walking along the shore of the inlet by the train, currently low from the receeded tide, I was struck by the beauty of the setting sun- then with sadness as I saw the heaps of garbage close up. I had just been reading of discoveries of traces of Oceans and hints of life on other worlds (Mars and Titan, Saturn's moon), yet now literally stumbling through filth we have made of our own life-giving waters.
For generations (a class is being taught at Harvard now on this, actually), many religions and cultures have believed in the cleansing power of water, that the world's waters could wash away any stain. We have, tragically used this as an excuse to throw most of our junk in the ocean, with the result that there are now massive, island sized drifts of toxic garbage in the Pacific Ocean:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/10/19/SS6JS8RH0.DTL&type=politics
I know that many Christian groups have been leary of "environmental" issues in this country, although that seems to be changing recently with growing talk of "Creation care" and stewardship. I think the reasons for this are complex, though at least some are a sense of this world's fallen/passing nature and fear that care for the earth is "New-Agey" or worshipping nature. The unfortunate result I have seen, tragically is that people get the impression that Christians only care about Heaven, and end up supporting the abuse of the world since its going to end soon anyway.
I'm a strong believer that each religion needs to address these issues, but should do so from the heart of its own beliefs. There are many Christian strands of love for the earth, and reminders (in the Eastern churches esspecially) that God is redeeming/ultimately renewing ALL of creation, not just disembodied souls. While that final healing is in God's hands, many Christians down through history have seen a deep call to work towards it here too.
There are many calls in the ancient traditions of Native peoples which inspire me, and strongly echo deep things in our own tradition. A reminder that the care of this earth, of all life IS a care for people too, that we're all connected because the Creator/Great Spirit/Great Mystery made it that way. Scientists are literally realizing the rainforests our world's lungs, they produce the oxygen we breathe and cleanse the air of toxins and excess CO2. Every tree is literally helping to keep us going! Native peoples have long believed this, and call for a deep recognition of our failings to honor what we have been given, to purify ourselves and pray and work deeply for the healing of our land. The Plains idea of prayer is called "Crying for a Vision," where you fast (purify) and humbly pray deeply for holy wisdom in a time of great need.
The ancient Hebrews, who also felt deep closeness to their land as a gift have a similar call, one I think might help Christians recover some of our own concern for Creation:
"If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Ch 7:14
At the Salem Gathering, talk of sharing one's faith in the different ways we have been called seemed for many to embody Christ's healing in a hurting world. For me, I think this is a big part of mine. I'd welcome people's thoughts on these ideas, which I might share more at some point.
I offered a sea-shell at our Good Friday service in our contemplation of the "Tomb" like old bank vault- a beautiful pearly purple piece I found amidst the garbage. Christians believe that our world's sins and pains have died with Christ, that we might all rise to new life. Such is my prayer for our wounded world, its peoples... and its Oceans and trees, this Holy Saturday.
As someone who grew up esspecially close to nature, the sufferings of our non-human neighbors is esspecially painful to me as well. I shared an experience I had in Salem at our Good Friday service in Salem last night- walking along the shore of the inlet by the train, currently low from the receeded tide, I was struck by the beauty of the setting sun- then with sadness as I saw the heaps of garbage close up. I had just been reading of discoveries of traces of Oceans and hints of life on other worlds (Mars and Titan, Saturn's moon), yet now literally stumbling through filth we have made of our own life-giving waters.
For generations (a class is being taught at Harvard now on this, actually), many religions and cultures have believed in the cleansing power of water, that the world's waters could wash away any stain. We have, tragically used this as an excuse to throw most of our junk in the ocean, with the result that there are now massive, island sized drifts of toxic garbage in the Pacific Ocean:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/10/19/SS6JS8RH0.DTL&type=politics
I know that many Christian groups have been leary of "environmental" issues in this country, although that seems to be changing recently with growing talk of "Creation care" and stewardship. I think the reasons for this are complex, though at least some are a sense of this world's fallen/passing nature and fear that care for the earth is "New-Agey" or worshipping nature. The unfortunate result I have seen, tragically is that people get the impression that Christians only care about Heaven, and end up supporting the abuse of the world since its going to end soon anyway.
I'm a strong believer that each religion needs to address these issues, but should do so from the heart of its own beliefs. There are many Christian strands of love for the earth, and reminders (in the Eastern churches esspecially) that God is redeeming/ultimately renewing ALL of creation, not just disembodied souls. While that final healing is in God's hands, many Christians down through history have seen a deep call to work towards it here too.
There are many calls in the ancient traditions of Native peoples which inspire me, and strongly echo deep things in our own tradition. A reminder that the care of this earth, of all life IS a care for people too, that we're all connected because the Creator/Great Spirit/Great Mystery made it that way. Scientists are literally realizing the rainforests our world's lungs, they produce the oxygen we breathe and cleanse the air of toxins and excess CO2. Every tree is literally helping to keep us going! Native peoples have long believed this, and call for a deep recognition of our failings to honor what we have been given, to purify ourselves and pray and work deeply for the healing of our land. The Plains idea of prayer is called "Crying for a Vision," where you fast (purify) and humbly pray deeply for holy wisdom in a time of great need.
The ancient Hebrews, who also felt deep closeness to their land as a gift have a similar call, one I think might help Christians recover some of our own concern for Creation:
"If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Ch 7:14
At the Salem Gathering, talk of sharing one's faith in the different ways we have been called seemed for many to embody Christ's healing in a hurting world. For me, I think this is a big part of mine. I'd welcome people's thoughts on these ideas, which I might share more at some point.
I offered a sea-shell at our Good Friday service in our contemplation of the "Tomb" like old bank vault- a beautiful pearly purple piece I found amidst the garbage. Christians believe that our world's sins and pains have died with Christ, that we might all rise to new life. Such is my prayer for our wounded world, its peoples... and its Oceans and trees, this Holy Saturday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
