Today the Census Bureau released data on levels of poverty in America. Granted, it’s not the Forbes list of the richest people in the world, yet, this information deserves our attention and our action.
In my second decade as ordained clergy, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons I have learned and what surprised me. Leading the list of surprises was my experience with local congregations and their outreach to, welcoming of, and ministry with persons who are poor.
As I sought to call my congregations into ministry with persons who are poor, I was met with comments such as: “They are not our children” and “We don’t want to share the gospel with those people.” Ouch.
There is a disturbing and disheartening trend at work in this nation. We have begun to categorize persons into the “deserving” and “undeserving poor” and are blaming persons for living in poverty. Seriously.
Because of how I understand God and, in my tradition, how I re-present the Christ whose name I take on, I believe it is foundational to be in ministry with persons who are poor and to advocate with them for a more just and equal society.
I think it’s kind of basic ---- whenever someone is hungry, feed ‘em; thirsty, give ‘em something to drink; cold, cover ‘em; isolated, go and bring ‘em into the fold.
Well?
sj;
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Finally.....
It has finally happened! After 20 long losing seasons the Pirates have accomplished a winning season!
I have been a Pirates fan my whole life: born during the grace and glory of Clemente; weaned on the “Lumber Company;” and survived adolescence thanks to “We Are Family!” No other baseball cap have I worn. To no other team have I offered my allegiance. Forget jumping on the bandwagon, I’m taking my turn driving the bus of the Bucco die-hards, the loyalists, the fans who stayed and stuck through it all.
Some say being a Pirates fan takes courage or craziness. Some say being a Pirates fan is a true exercise in hopeful living. Some say being a Pirates fan is easier when they win.
I say being a Pirates fan is an act of faith. The last time the Pirates won, I was newly ordained and serving my first church. At congregational suppers the conversation was not about the finer points of theology, it was about Jay Bell’s perfectly placed sacrifice bunt. During youth group meetings, the excitement wasn’t around “New Kids on the Block” it was about the Pirates starting nine. Many clergy say they hate to talk about money with their congregants. I refused to mention the names Belinda, Cabrera, Bonds, Bream and the heartbreak of Game Seven in the 1992 NLCS.
Faith and fan-dom go hand-in-hand. I have never prayed for a win. I have, however, worn the same Pirates shirt every day of a winning streak, eaten at the same restaurant prior to each home game, and currently have a commemorative 1971 World Series Championship mug placed on the shelf beneath my television set.
These last twenty years have at times been so full of futility and regret that a certain amount of ritual has been required. I attended the final game at Three Rivers Stadium and before leaving the park removed my shoes and walked barefoot. It is family law that we never leave any game until the final out. This adherence has increased my endurance. A few years ago I sat through the 20-0 loss to the Brewers while fans around yelled for the opposition to “hit blackjack!” In the first-half magic of the 2011 season, I caught a Pirate Parrot-launched hot dog and kept it in my freezer as, sadly, the magic and the wiener frosted.
I am a sports fan, yet, of all matters of athletic contests my favorite is baseball. It’s the perfect sport for a member of the cloth because the focus is to get home safely. Baseball is a family affair. I remember my sister writing mini-signs like “Deck the Cards!” and posting them on the fridge. I took my nephew to his first Pirates game and upon seeing the park he asked, “Is this the field with dreams in it?” You better believe it is --- dreams and disappointments and hopes and heartbreak...an ongoing metaphor for life.
I find the journey made easier by having a faith that is open, trusting and present like an afternoon spent at the ballyard. Perhaps the best life lesson I have learned is “don’t cling;” keep open to possibility, don’t grip the bat too tightly, trust. For the last twenty years, Pirates fans from Forbes Field to Three Rivers have clung to the memories of glories past. The current generation has never known a winning season. All that has changed with this season of who-could-have-foreseen-it stellar pitching from Liriano and Locke, the shark tank bullpen that refuses to allow any circling of the bases, and the a next-man-up team philosophy that delivers the needed start and the timely hit.
It has happened Pirates fans. Savor this winning season. Plan on playoff baseball. Pardon me while I go light my candle of victory.
sj;
I have been a Pirates fan my whole life: born during the grace and glory of Clemente; weaned on the “Lumber Company;” and survived adolescence thanks to “We Are Family!” No other baseball cap have I worn. To no other team have I offered my allegiance. Forget jumping on the bandwagon, I’m taking my turn driving the bus of the Bucco die-hards, the loyalists, the fans who stayed and stuck through it all.
Some say being a Pirates fan takes courage or craziness. Some say being a Pirates fan is a true exercise in hopeful living. Some say being a Pirates fan is easier when they win.
I say being a Pirates fan is an act of faith. The last time the Pirates won, I was newly ordained and serving my first church. At congregational suppers the conversation was not about the finer points of theology, it was about Jay Bell’s perfectly placed sacrifice bunt. During youth group meetings, the excitement wasn’t around “New Kids on the Block” it was about the Pirates starting nine. Many clergy say they hate to talk about money with their congregants. I refused to mention the names Belinda, Cabrera, Bonds, Bream and the heartbreak of Game Seven in the 1992 NLCS.
Faith and fan-dom go hand-in-hand. I have never prayed for a win. I have, however, worn the same Pirates shirt every day of a winning streak, eaten at the same restaurant prior to each home game, and currently have a commemorative 1971 World Series Championship mug placed on the shelf beneath my television set.
These last twenty years have at times been so full of futility and regret that a certain amount of ritual has been required. I attended the final game at Three Rivers Stadium and before leaving the park removed my shoes and walked barefoot. It is family law that we never leave any game until the final out. This adherence has increased my endurance. A few years ago I sat through the 20-0 loss to the Brewers while fans around yelled for the opposition to “hit blackjack!” In the first-half magic of the 2011 season, I caught a Pirate Parrot-launched hot dog and kept it in my freezer as, sadly, the magic and the wiener frosted.
I am a sports fan, yet, of all matters of athletic contests my favorite is baseball. It’s the perfect sport for a member of the cloth because the focus is to get home safely. Baseball is a family affair. I remember my sister writing mini-signs like “Deck the Cards!” and posting them on the fridge. I took my nephew to his first Pirates game and upon seeing the park he asked, “Is this the field with dreams in it?” You better believe it is --- dreams and disappointments and hopes and heartbreak...an ongoing metaphor for life.
I find the journey made easier by having a faith that is open, trusting and present like an afternoon spent at the ballyard. Perhaps the best life lesson I have learned is “don’t cling;” keep open to possibility, don’t grip the bat too tightly, trust. For the last twenty years, Pirates fans from Forbes Field to Three Rivers have clung to the memories of glories past. The current generation has never known a winning season. All that has changed with this season of who-could-have-foreseen-it stellar pitching from Liriano and Locke, the shark tank bullpen that refuses to allow any circling of the bases, and the a next-man-up team philosophy that delivers the needed start and the timely hit.
It has happened Pirates fans. Savor this winning season. Plan on playoff baseball. Pardon me while I go light my candle of victory.
sj;
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Alphabet Wrap-Up
M = Mowing Grass Talk about a rite of summer! There is something about mowing the lawn that gives one a sense of accomplishment as it is easy to look back and see all that has been completed. My mower of choice was and remains a push-variety. Of course, the bane of my mowing was the looming possibility of coming across a snake. I despise the creatures and had I been in the Garden of Eden we would still have paradise because I would certainly never had gone near one.
N = Night Is there anything more wonderful than a summer’s evening? The cool, the lingering light, the crickets’ song, the fireflies, the smells --- bliss.
O = Outdoors The clear lake, the full pines, the berries, the brush and growth --- if you need a reason to get outside...summer gives you an abundance.
P = Paint The warmth of the sun, the long days, the time off all lend themselves to checking “paint the porch,” “paint the house” off one’s to-do-list.
Q = Quiz As has already been referenced, one of my favorite places ever was the front porch at my mother’s home in summertime. We would spend most summer evenings there as a family. Often, my brother would break out the quiz books and we would challenge, cheer, cajole and critique one another on our knowledge of useless information.
R = Radio The “songs of summer” blaring at the community pool or park; windows down and stereo on high as you cruised; the ballgame being listened to on the front porch. Although there is much to be gained by a ear-buds and ipods, the radio remains a great tool of community.
S = St. George I’m not referring to the summer sport of slaying dragons. I am referring to the home of my Aunt Ruth and Uncle Chuck in the town of Kennerdell along the banks of the Allegheny. It was here every Fourth of July that the Beale Family reunion was held. A reunion reconnects you to roots and strengthens the line.
T = Tionesta Our family vacations were spent camping out in Tionesta. No trailer, no cabin...this was serious, not-for-wimps camping. We hiked-in a mile over rocky terrain and set-up camp. We cooked each meal over a campfire and once a week went to swim in the Tionesta River.
U = Ugly Duckling Have you ever had the experience of coming back from summer vacation to begin another school year and noticing the previous plain kid suddenly transformed into the class beauty? Summer sun and freedom works wonders.
V = Volleyball With 20 people on a side, we whack at the sport at picnics and summer parties. Sand volleyball is iconic of summer be it played along the ocean’s shore or in a park with pebbly sand and the closest body of water being the creek.
W = Water Swimming at community pools, wading in creeks, taking a boat out in the lake, watching the ocean waves, squirt gun battles, and running through sprinklers --- summer allows for all to enjoy the wonder of water!
X = The mystery For a kid, summer has no schedule and each day one wakes to make of it what one will. Part of the gift of summer is the freedom and the mystery of what each day bathed in warmth and light holds and is yours for the making.
Y = Yawn Enjoy to the fullest those “lazy, hazy days of summer….”
Z = Zoltan The Pittsburgh Pirates are about to have a winning season….it’s been twenty years...the players continue to flash the “Z” of Zoltan and so do the rabid fans hungry, at last, for a winning team!
N = Night Is there anything more wonderful than a summer’s evening? The cool, the lingering light, the crickets’ song, the fireflies, the smells --- bliss.
O = Outdoors The clear lake, the full pines, the berries, the brush and growth --- if you need a reason to get outside...summer gives you an abundance.
P = Paint The warmth of the sun, the long days, the time off all lend themselves to checking “paint the porch,” “paint the house” off one’s to-do-list.
Q = Quiz As has already been referenced, one of my favorite places ever was the front porch at my mother’s home in summertime. We would spend most summer evenings there as a family. Often, my brother would break out the quiz books and we would challenge, cheer, cajole and critique one another on our knowledge of useless information.
R = Radio The “songs of summer” blaring at the community pool or park; windows down and stereo on high as you cruised; the ballgame being listened to on the front porch. Although there is much to be gained by a ear-buds and ipods, the radio remains a great tool of community.
S = St. George I’m not referring to the summer sport of slaying dragons. I am referring to the home of my Aunt Ruth and Uncle Chuck in the town of Kennerdell along the banks of the Allegheny. It was here every Fourth of July that the Beale Family reunion was held. A reunion reconnects you to roots and strengthens the line.
T = Tionesta Our family vacations were spent camping out in Tionesta. No trailer, no cabin...this was serious, not-for-wimps camping. We hiked-in a mile over rocky terrain and set-up camp. We cooked each meal over a campfire and once a week went to swim in the Tionesta River.
U = Ugly Duckling Have you ever had the experience of coming back from summer vacation to begin another school year and noticing the previous plain kid suddenly transformed into the class beauty? Summer sun and freedom works wonders.
V = Volleyball With 20 people on a side, we whack at the sport at picnics and summer parties. Sand volleyball is iconic of summer be it played along the ocean’s shore or in a park with pebbly sand and the closest body of water being the creek.
W = Water Swimming at community pools, wading in creeks, taking a boat out in the lake, watching the ocean waves, squirt gun battles, and running through sprinklers --- summer allows for all to enjoy the wonder of water!
X = The mystery For a kid, summer has no schedule and each day one wakes to make of it what one will. Part of the gift of summer is the freedom and the mystery of what each day bathed in warmth and light holds and is yours for the making.
Y = Yawn Enjoy to the fullest those “lazy, hazy days of summer….”
Z = Zoltan The Pittsburgh Pirates are about to have a winning season….it’s been twenty years...the players continue to flash the “Z” of Zoltan and so do the rabid fans hungry, at last, for a winning team!
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