“There but for the grace of God, go I”

This week, I spent some time with Kate Duggan, Executive Director of Family Promise of Bergen County. Kate loves her job, and it is so obvious because she glows when she talks of her job.  She is a true light worker, bringing a light of hope to families that may feel all hope is lost.  And she helped me to better understand how important it is to provide some works of mercy, even as we strive for social justice.  (To understand what social justice work is as opposed to mercy work, please read my Jan 1, 2015 blog post). 

Kate and I talked about the common misperceptions that many people hold about the homeless population in our community.  There is a common myth that homeless people are “working the system” and “want the easy handout”.  Another myth is that the homeless parents are “not looking for work” or “are not working hard enough”.   There are more, but you understand the trending myths - that there is something inherently sneaky or lazy about homeless people, and if they would just get themselves together, they'd get themselves back into a home.

The truth is that Bergen Family Promise assists working families with children who are temporarily homeless. These families are often the “working poor” or simply middle class families tripped up by tragedy or loss.  “There but for the grace of God, go I.”  Many of us live, today, just that close to the tipping edge.  

It can be overwhelming to think of the social justice work required to change the way our economy and society works today to assure that our community can provide working wages, affordable homes, and childcare for working parents – and allow for time for families to bond and stay rooted in the community so the children grow up solid in their self-worth and capable of contributing back to our communities. 

Some people believe that fair wages and fair housing and childcare smacks of socialism, or even worse, communism.  Others don’t want to think of themselves as being equally vulnerable, so they press on with “I did it, so can you”.  But just because it is overwhelming, none of us gets a “pass” allowing us to do nothing.  Jesus demands that we care for the least of us. 

My talks with Kate this week strengthened my conviction that one good place to start toward a just society is for all of us to  recognize all of our equal worth in the eyes of God.  We must embrace the rich diversity that God created in us and a let go of the "us/them" behavior.  We must see that we are all God's children, and some of us are living difficult lives.  But none of us is better than any other in God's eyes.  Through acts of mercy, like volunteering with Family Promise, we cannot help but find ourselves identifying more closely with the people we serve.  We no longer see a divide and we begin to crave the experience of God's kingdom - a truly just society. 

I encourage you to take this one baby step toward understanding and listen to their stories - watch this 15 minute video on the Family Promise website to hear real stories and experiences from our local community http://www.bergenfamilypromise.org/bfp/how-can-i-help/how-can-i-help-video/ 

And then volunteer with Family Promise, by serving a meal or attending to overnight guests.  Reach out to Pat Martin in our church or contact Family Promise directly.  One act of mercy may be all it takes for you to come up with the brilliant idea that could bring real social change and justice for these families and for all of us. 

And, as always, let me know what social justice issues are calling for your involvement.  Talk to me, get involved, and together we can help advance God’s kingdom here on earth.

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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Never be Limited by Others

I saw this quote and image this week and was struck by it, "Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations." - Dr. Mae Jemison, first African American Female Astronaut

Are we limiting ourselves?  I began 2015 with an extraordinary vision of the Pascack Valley being a community where diversity was celebrated.  All diversity - diversity of thought, race, religion, gender, love - celebrated.  The Pascack Valley could be an living example of life in God's kingdom on Earth to a never-changing "us/them" world.  

But throughout January I was told that the Pascack Valley is "just fine with diversity, thank you for caring, though".

So, as the snow fell and I sat in my home, I began to reframe my vision, thinking that perhaps I've had it wrong all along. Then I saw this quote - am I limiting myself? I honestly don't know.

Without a team to help me formulate the questions, to help me research the answers, to help me develop the projects to bring about local social justice ... it's hard to know if I'm on the right track.  

I've always believed no one person has all the answers.  Let's together build an unlimited vision and together make it so.  Will you join me?  Will you tell me your visions?  Will you let me help you with your unlimited vision of creating Heaven on Earth with God's guidance?

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?

   I’ve spent the first weeks of January meeting with people who have expressed an interest in social justice and I’ve talked frankly with my friends within the church, and with my Bible study group. We shared thoughts about the acceptance of people of difference in the Pascack Valley region and if there is a need for improvement in our celebration of diversity. Unfortunately, even though everyone I speak with applauds my efforts and wishes me the best of success, not one person wishes to join the team and help me develop the ministry.

   Indeed, most people feel there is no need at all for addressing diversity in our area. They see the problem to be “out there” and “not here”.

   I am, for the moment, discouraged. I feel like the teacher in the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” asking his students to engage. “Anyone? ... Anyone?”

http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0104807/quotes

   I don’t pretend to have all the answers or even know the correct questions to ask ... which is why I’m seeking the help of a dedicated core team. Perhaps I see a problem where there is no problem – or perhaps others are unaware of a problem because it does not affect them? Perhaps, like Ferris Bueller, some of us are out playing, enjoying ourselves too much to be concerned. We've embraced Ferris' philosophy: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Still, I ask, are we truly seeing the world around us while we are taking time off to "look around"?

   I will continue to ask these questions, and I will continue to meet with more people, inside and outside our church, in the coming weeks. As I share with you what I’m learning, perhaps you will be inspired to help us devise a plan to seek social justice. I cannot, and should not, do it alone.

   In the meantime, I encourage you to sign up for the weekly newsletter from the General Board of Church & Society at umc-gbcs.org to learn what they understand to be happening "out there".

   Seek me out, and let me know what local social justice issues speak to you "here" and how you’d like to help. Tell me if I’ve got the wrong idea or if I am on the correct path – tell me your truth. I promise to listen and engage.

In Christ’s Peace, Lisa Schoelles

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A Core Team Covenant

   Most ministries at Hillsdale NJ UMC simply require that you attend a meeting or two, and help out when you can. The Public Theology Ministry will be a little different. We are asking everyone – yes, EVERYONE – in our congregation ... members, frequent visitors, and the newly arrived ... to participate in some Public Theology activity in 2015. That can be as simple as a prayer for guidance in our efforts, or as intense as attending a town meeting or participating in a protest.

   I am confident we will achieve this goal. I have faith!

   But Hillsdale NJ UMC also needs a core team to help me design our projects, coordinate our efforts, and help engage the congregation and the community. This team of 3-5 individuals should be made up of a wide variety of thinkers – wide variety of abilities and spiritual gifts – to be effective. And this team must be grounded in their faith and commitment to living the Gospel beyond our church walls.

   I am proposing a Public Theology Ministry core team covenant. Each core team member will pledge to each other and to our church to:

• Attend weekly worship service at our church or elsewhere. If that is not possible, the core team member will at least watch the sermon online.
• Read and pray on scripture daily. This can be done simply by opening the Bible and choosing a passage, then meditating upon it. Or by using a daily devotional of choice, such as The Upper Room at devotional.upperroom.org
• Actively participate in meetings, listen and respond, and bring fresh ideas.
• Actively research projects and opportunities.

   Respect and encourage and involve the whole congregation and as much of our local community and other religious organizations as possible ... encouraging a wide spectrum of involvement from prayer-to-petition-to-forum-to-education-to-protest and beyond.

   You may ask, “Why have a core team covenant?” and the answer is simple. Daily prayer, daily scripture reading, and weekly worship help us to remain grounded in our faith. People become more receptive to the guidance of the Spirit when they take even 5 minutes at the start or end of their day to pray and reflect, and spend at least 20 minutes on a Sunday to listen to a message through the weekly sermon. Gathering in worship of our God keeps us humble in the presence of the Lord, and provides an opportunity to relate to other people and to better understand other points of view. And active participation, research, and respect are key to the success of any team.

   So, please consider joining me as a core team member. Talk with me about your thoughts, ideas, even concerns. Let’s make a difference in this world, together.

In Christ’s Peace, Lisa Schoelles

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Public Theology is what we do about what we believe

   The motto that titles this blog entry is taken from a July 2013 letter written by Cynthia Kent, Chair of the Conference Board of Church and Society. You can read the full letter in PDF form by clicking on the image above. I have been preparing for the role of Public Theology Advocate at Hillsdale UMC through most of 2014 - studying, praying, asking questions, researching, challenging my beliefs and my faith-in- action. It is clear to me that there are many social justice concerns in our area. I have learned about our community's struggles with racism and bigotry, the lack of resources for the developmentally challenged in our schools, the difficulty LGBT people have in finding a welcoming place of worship ... these are only a few of the concerns our congregants have expressed. In addition, our media is bursting with reports of national protests and cries for judicial system reform as a result of the fatal Ferguson police shooting of Michael Brown, and the NYPD police officer's chokehold death of Eric Garner. Bishop Schol announced on December 11th a commitment to create a conference-wide culture that is vigilant to end racism, grow in cultural competence, and be respectful and welcoming of all people.

   As I researched and prayed for guidance, I began to see a common theme in all these troubles - a clear lack of celebration for diversity. I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me about this concept as I sat in worship listening to Pastor Brian's December 7th sermon "Love Your Enemies. Be Forgiven." Pastor Brian invited us to step back, and consider the other side.

   Protests can be effective. A demand for justice by writing for legislative reform of our congress and our church can be effective. But what can we each do to change the Pascack Valley community? Is it possible to create a model community where diversity is not simply tolerated - but celebrated? What would it be like to live in such a community? This is the direction I've been guided to explore with all of us. It will require more research to find the source of the problems; it will require a suspension of personal assumptions about our community; it will require some training; it will require much prayer, much discussion about the realities of living here and our own personal understanding of the Gospel, and, perhaps, it will require some action in protest. I don't have a solid plan developed yet, but I am continuing to reach out to our local authorities, our schools, and our residents. And I need help from each of you.

   Next week, I'll write about what that help may be and how to become part of mission to do what we do about what we believe.

In Christ’s Peace, Lisa Schoelles 

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... let's get started

   In 2002, the Greater New Jersey Conference Board of Church & Society defined the new role of Public Theology Advocate for local churches. The person filling this role is elected by the local charge conference for advocacy on social issues, with these responsibilities:

1. Stay abreast of social issues;
2. Educate the local church;
3. Advocate for social change;
4. Identify specific local actions that can be taken by that church;
5. Act as a liaison between the local church and the Conference Board of Church and Society.

   I’ve been elected into this new role for Hillsdale United Methodist Church for 2015. Throughout the year, you will hear me speak more about our Public Theology Advocacy. The GNJAC Board of Church & Society suggests that I lead a team of at least 5 individuals - but Pastor Brian and I are hopeful that we can engage our entire congregation in some form of advocacy for social justice. We are dreaming big, but nothing is too great for God’s Kingdom on Earth, as it is in Heaven.

   “What is social justice?” by Rev. Mimi Raper of the First UMC of Austin ...
Typically, “service” has been interpreted as works of mercy and charity;; now we are expanding our emphasis on service to include works of justice. Both are good. Both are essential in our culture and in our development as individuals and as the Body of Christ.

   Rev. Mimi Raper of the First UMC of Austin uses “The Babies in the River Story” to explain the difference between works of charity or mercy and works of justice. Two persons see a baby in the river and rush in to rescue her. To their dismay, this baby is followed by another. Then another and another. In each case the two people from the bank of the river dive in to save the babies. Finally, one person does not rush back into the river but heads upstream instead. Her partner asks, “Where are you going? I need help rescuing these babies!” To which she replies, “I am going to find out what’s happening at the headwaters of the river, where the babies are coming from. We need to change what’s happening up there that is putting the babies in danger to begin with.”

   Another way to describe mercy & justice is the often quoted “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.” To this, Pastor Brian adds, “Make the pond safe and accessible to all, and God’s justice will be attained.”

   I hope you will join me in the learning, the researching, the creating, and the implementing of our church’s response to injustice, and join me as we join hands with others to build a community where the babies are safe and the pond is accessible to all. Let’s talk ... let’s get started.

In Christ’s Peace, Lisa Schoelles

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