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Posted by Wallace+
Today's RTD editorial, "Say yes," is excellent.
And let us pray for a day when this sort of "yes" is as obvious to Americans as, say, voting rights for women, or desegregation of the schools.
God's will be done.
Posted by Kimberly Allen
On Monday, the President of Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) was profiled in "HOME Leader Fights for Fair Housing," in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Speaking to the reporter, Connie Chamberlin explained what motivates her work at HOME:
"I work for an organization that has a mission that involves changing the world, and it's doing a good job step by step."
And change the world they do, showing up day after day and doing the unsung legwork necessary to fight discrimination in housing access and remain a force for justice in our city.
HOME, with St. Paul's roots, was founded in 1971 and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
Tags: affordable housing, discrimination, home, housing opportunities made equal, richmond times dispatch, spong
Posted by Wallace+
A few things in the current headlines that I am especially grateful for:
Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. Wow! A major step forward in the name of justice. Comparable to the integration of the Armed Forces in 1948.
That the tensions on the Korean peninsula have, at least for now, relaxed. We pray for peace on earth.
That Pope Benedict is speaking more pointedly and, I would say, courageously, about the crisis in the Roman Catholic Church around the sexual abuse of minors. That he would ask the question of how it was that this was allowed to happen is very promising. Let us pray for him, for the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, and, of course, for those who have suffered abuse. Let us pray for healing, and for a new day.
As we say often, but not often enough: Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Amen, amen.
Posted by Wallace+
A NYT editorial yesterday, with the above title, holds forth on the opportunity that the current Congress has to put an end to an unjust policy: discriminating against gay and lesbian Americans serving in our armed forces. If this Congress fails to do the right thing, surely another Congress will rise to the occasion. That being said, let's pray that this Congress makes the most of its last chance.
Also, in the name of equality, this week we released our next testimonial for the "It Gets Better/Faith Gets Better" campaign in response to suicides by teenagers bullied because of their sexual orientation. Lori Plumley, a member of Three Chopt Presbyterian Church in Richmond, reached out after learning about "Faith Gets Better" from her friend and St. Paul's parishioner Nita Jones. You can watch her video (recorded and posted with her daughter's blessing) below or on the St. Paul's YouTube Channel.
Tags: it gets better, lgbt, new york times
Posted by Wallace+
A TV special airing Friday evening sounds promising.
Nearly fifty years since the beginning of the civil rights movement in America, what is the status today of racism, religious freedom, equality for women, gay rights, access for people with disabilities, bullying among kids and more? Tom Brokaw Presents Bridging the Divide dives head first into these complex issues facing the nation's increasingly diverse population, and looks at the impact of the current economy, the rise of technology, social media and the 24-hour news cycle. Brokaw speaks to a wide array of experts to get beyond the salacious headlines and provide a truer and more complete picture of where the country stands.
Tom Brokaw Presents Bridging the Divide premieres on the USA Network at 7pm this Friday, Dec. 10.
Tags: civil rights, discrimination
Posted by Kimberly Allen
On Friday, Wallace+ added his voice to the "It Gets Better Project" and "Faith Gets Better" effort.
"God made you the way you are to be who you are. And you are beautiful."
Join the Movement
If you know someone who needs to hear this message, please share it. Or, if you'd like to tape your message that it gets better, call me at the church (643-3589) to set up a recording time. We'll add your video to the St. Paul's YouTube Channel.
Tags: it gets better, lgbt
Posted by Wallace+
Editor's Note: Wallace+ wrote this post yesterday before the federal appeals panel issued its decision, which temporarily reinstates "Don't Ask Don't Tell." We remain hopeful for the eventual end to this unconstitutional policy.
It is amazing to think that the United States military, for a week now, has been enlisting openly gay people in its ranks. This thanks to a judge's order.
It seems quite possible, if not likely, that the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy will be, at some point, for some period of time, reinstituted. Nevertheless, even though the judge's order may not constitute a permanent righting of a wrong, the judge's order certainly does represent progress, and is a sign of how far we've come.
Let us pray for justice in our armed forces, and for justice for all gay and lesbian people.
Amen, amen.
Tags: civil rights, lgbt
Posted by Kimberly Allen
Naturally, a range of words will be used to describe what we are standing up for: Civility. Freedom. Respect. Tolerance. Calm. Justice. Community. Diversity. Equality. Reconciliation. Welcome. Understanding. Unity. Hope.
While all those words have their rightful place, some come closer than others to what God wants for us, his children. While "tolerance" is a start, Jesus said nothing about tolerance, and we won't settle for it. While "civility" is a beginning, we are called to something higher, better, and braver.
Among those who will speak are: Bishop Charlene Kammerer, Rabbi Martin Beifield, Pastor Charles Baughum, Rabbi Ben Romer, Imam Ammar Amonette, Rev. Jon Barton and others.
In addition to standing together, they will publish a joint statement, which will be posted tomorrow.
Click here to read the full message.
Tags: ammar amonette, ben romer, charlene kammerer, charles baughum, imad damaj, islamic center of virginia, jon barton, martin beifield
Posted by Wallace+
Before heading into the weekend, I wanted to make note of a few more things that caught my attention this week:
The RTD had an exquisite and poignant piece on forgiveness, "The Sweet Sound." "Grace amazes and abounds." Indeed. And, perhaps the strongest line in the piece," He is also a human being..." Amen.
The New York Times had a very readable and interesting profile on the rabbi who presided at the Clinton wedding this week. The line that will stay with me is where he calls Shabbat (the Sabbath) "the pivot of my life." That is fantastic. I'll be quoting him.
Also in the New York Times, an editorial, entitled "Marriage Is a Constitutional Right," is superb. Justice has turned a corner. (Of course there are many corners still to turn.)
And, lastly, on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart's interview of Akbar Ahmed was fascinating (click on the image below to watch the segment).
Ahmed has recently published Journey into America: The Challenge of Islam. Ahmed spoke about, among other things, the Founding Fathers' respect for religious pluralism. John Adams called Mohammed "one of the greatest truth seekers of history," and Benjamin Franklin called him a "model of compassion." And Jefferson, as is well known, had his own copy of the Qur'an.
Ahmed also talked about "bringing the temperature down" through education and through our (i.e., Americans of different faiths) getting to know one another better. Amen, amen.
Let us pray for peace and understanding. Let us pray for the human family.
Tags: akbar ahmed, interfaith, new york times, richmond times dispatch, same-sex marriage, the daily show
Posted by Wallace+
Today's RTD editorial on a textbook being proposed for use in Chesterfield County is simply superb. The RTD has it right, and so does the ACLU.
Snip:
"What the Constitution forbids is government favoritism toward any particular religion. Christians in Chesterfield should ask how they would react if the public schools adopted a textbook calling Islam or Hinduism the one truth faith. If they're uncomfortable with that, then they also should be uncomfortable with a book that treats Christianity the same way."
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St Paul’s Episcopal Church
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Richmond Virginia 23219
Phone: 804.643.3589
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