Weakening the iron

I saw the latest "wow" effort of Meryl Streep, her film, THE IRON LADY. It was not my interest in Margaret Thatcher that drew me to the movie. Indeed, it was the acting talent of the best actor of our age, the amazing Meryl Streep, that had this film as a "must see."

As with any gifted storyteller, the movie entertained as well as educated. I learned more about Margaret Thatcher and what was happening in England in the late 70's and 80's. I was a bit surprised to hear the familiar refrains of the conservative political ideology that remain echoed in today's political debate and run for the White House. Most of all it made me think about strength and vulnerability, that even iron has a melting point.

It is with deep pride that I name and claim my blue-collar background that is so prevalent in those of us born and bred in southwestern PA. With a slight twist on Sissy Spacek's Oscar-winning movie depicting the life country singer, Loretta Lynn --- I am a steel worker's daughter.

In this region, we are taught to work hard and play hard. Steelers football will always be about toughness and a staunch defense. And, that's as it should be and how we like it! On a sidebar, in a survey of NFL players asking them "which team's fans are the toughest to play in front of?" the fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers finished second. I love that! In case your wondering, a mere three percentage points ahead of us and in first place were the Philadelphia Eagles fans....then, again, these people boo Santa....they are more maniacal then fanatical.

Because of the strong and competitive way we play anything here...baseball, t-ball, flag football, checkers, jacks, kickball, freeze tag etc.....we learn there is no crying in any of it and to suck it up and play!

Therefore, it has been a difficult lesson to learn and one I am still in the process of learning, that vulnerability is also strength.

I come from northern isle stock and open emotions are not prevalent among my people. We learn from infancy to keep that "stiff upper lip." Yet, tears are healing and good. It is a gift to be able to feel comfortable enough with another to cry in front of them. There is more strength in being honest about one's hurt then there is in covering up to look all put together and tough.

In all things, be real and work on claiming one's vulnerability. May we each have a safe place and trusted persons where we can risk our vulnerability and let the tears fall freely.

sj;

Prophet Margin

I could say that I want us to continue to remember and to keep Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream alive long after his holiday and that is why I chose today to blog about him. Whereas, I do believe we need to keep working and casting MLK's dream of a just, inclusive society, truth be told, I had a bizarre day yesterday and got caught in a blog bog. Therefore, today, I will reflect on MLK.

In the early 1990's, I traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to particpate in a national youthworkers convention. I arrived a day prior to the start of the conference, met up with a friend, and decided to see the sights of Atlanta. Tops on my list, was going to Ebenezer Baptist Church, where MLK pastored and preached.

We arrived early afternoon and went into the sanctuary. A new seminary graduate pastoring my first congregation, I asked my friend to take my photo behind the pulpit where MLK preached. I walked up to the pulpit and several photos were taken. My friend said she wanted her photo taken as well and as we switched places and she began to walk toward the pulpit, someone from the church, entered and politely told my friend, "No, Maam, you are not allowed up there;" and placed the red rope line on either side of the steps heading to the pulpit.

I swear on my prized photo of that moment, that when I walked to the pulpit there was no red rope line for me to even consider crossing. For the most part, I am an obey the rules type of person, so I doubt I would have been so brazen to walk over the red rope line if it had been in place.

Yet....maybe.....for I really wanted that photo and it has come with me to every church office as a tangible reminder of the pastor's call to be prophetic, of the pastor's call to lead the people where they may not want to go, yet, where, if they and we are to be true to our calling as people of God, we must go.

It does not matter if one's theological leaning is conservative or liberal, I believe that part of each clergy's call is the call to be prophetic. To, in the name of the One who is justice and hospitality and active compassion, give voice when the impoverished are being to discarded; to stand up and stand with those who are being wrongly and unjustly treated because of race, gender, nationality, orientation, and status; to open wide and welcome all who come knocking into the community of faith and involve them in this shared experience of grace and love.

For me, I could not and can not separate my calling to be a minister of Christ from the actions that I read and understand Jesus would do. Call it a WWJD with a strong justice bent.

I think people, the younger generation especially, are looking for their faith leaders to be prophetic. One of the more amazing things about MLK was how his words wed to his actions inspired thousands of young folks; the young persons who courageously marched, sat-in at lunch counters; faced the dogs and the firehoses; and endured the vile taunts and arrests. I believe they joined in with their whole person because, yes, they saw Martin doing it with them; yet, even more, MLK's actions stirred in them pride, courage, and awakened their inherent dignity.

Is there a need for a bigger PROPHET margin? Look around congregation and community and let me know.

sj;

That wonderful with-ness

The Pslam for today's lectionary is Psalm 139. I've always liked this Psalm. Some do not view it favorably because there is a strong hint of the Divine as a kind of "big brother" and all-seeing every little and grand thing we do.

As is true with the psalms, 139 contains beautiful imagery and metaphor such as:
"If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,' even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you."

With the beauty of that passage is strength and assurance. For me, one of the great gifts given is God's wonderful with-ness to us and in and through all creation. When I started college the verse I carried with me and often repeated was "I am with you always, even unto the close of the age" and the song on my walkman (remember those?) was Amy Grant's "Everywhere I Go" from the UNGUARDED album. In the new territory of college and a place outside of my comfort zone, I needed an assuarance of a Holy With-ness.

I confess I'm a sucker for any song, scene, or moment of evidenced with-ness. I love the huddles where the players hold hands in solidarity; I love when the camera catches a spouse's hand on the back or around the shoulder of someone about to take the stage for a big speech; I love the squeeze of the hand when the person sitting next to me knows I need that little bit of support.

With-ness is one of those great gifts that we each need and each can give. Do so. Make that call; send that hand-written note; stop by to visit; stand beside another. Yes, in every way and means, get with.....