Thursday, May 18, 2006
Casting lots
Now here's a decision-making practice that has the advantage of being both convenient and scriptural. LarkNews.com now offers a virtual LotCaster (Beta), for use in situations with two options or for use with yes/no questions. Visit http://www.larknews.com/ and scroll down a little to see the link on the left of your screen. Slightly less conspicuous than getting out the Magic 8-Ball at your office desk!
Friday, May 12, 2006
Another link or two for you
Okay, I know it's cheating, but I'm a little spent at the end of the week. So here's another link for resources celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Women's Full Clergy Rights in the UMC, brough to you by the fine researchers, writers, editors, and compilers of the United Methodist News Service.
And in case you're wondering what I'm reading this week, I was delighted to discover recently that Jasper Fforde has begun a new series after completing the adventures of Thursday Next in four volumes (The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots, and Something Rotten). The Big Over Easy is the first in the Nursery Crime series, in which Jack Spratt investigates the sudden death of Humpty Dumpty, minor baronet, womanizer, alcoholic, marginally criminal speculator and investor. It's lots of good fun, and (although less of an incentive for this former English major) requires less in the way of arcane knowledge of classic literature than the Thursday Next adventures. I recommend the book, and also the author's website, www.jasperfforde.com, which is so full of clever fun and silliness I may not get any work done for a couple days.
In unrelated news, I have just discovered the mysterious appearance of a second trash can under my desk here at work. Bizarre.
Enjoy your weekend, everyone, and Happy Mother's Day to all who are mothers in one way or another!
And in case you're wondering what I'm reading this week, I was delighted to discover recently that Jasper Fforde has begun a new series after completing the adventures of Thursday Next in four volumes (The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots, and Something Rotten). The Big Over Easy is the first in the Nursery Crime series, in which Jack Spratt investigates the sudden death of Humpty Dumpty, minor baronet, womanizer, alcoholic, marginally criminal speculator and investor. It's lots of good fun, and (although less of an incentive for this former English major) requires less in the way of arcane knowledge of classic literature than the Thursday Next adventures. I recommend the book, and also the author's website, www.jasperfforde.com, which is so full of clever fun and silliness I may not get any work done for a couple days.
In unrelated news, I have just discovered the mysterious appearance of a second trash can under my desk here at work. Bizarre.
Enjoy your weekend, everyone, and Happy Mother's Day to all who are mothers in one way or another!
Sunday, May 07, 2006
The photos you've been waiting for
Hmm, that sounds like the subject line for a spam email, doesn't it? Ah well.
Okay, in this first picture, taken near the end of the concert, you probably can't read the tags (click on the photo to see it larger), but they point to author Amy Tan, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, author Greg Iles, and humorist/author Dave Barry.
We were sitting pretty close to the front, but I didn't feel like climbing over people's legs to get out and go stand in front of the stage like the other groupies visible here.
Photo #2 shows Amy Tan singing "These Boots Are Made for Walking." That's Mayor Hickenlooper (seriously, the funniest name for a mayor... makes me want to make up a rhyming Dr. Seuss-like poem about him... words that rhyme would include chicken-cooper, and... um... okay, it would only have two lines) over on the left, being more than a good sport and even, as you'll see in the next photo, hamming it up a little.
Ladies and gentlemen, Amy Tan and the Mayor of Denver in "These Boots Are Made for Walking."
Hey, it's all for a good cause, right?
Thursday, May 04, 2006
50th Anniversary of Women's Full Clergy Rights
On this day in 1956, the General Conference of The Methodist Church voted to affirm full clergy rights for women, ending a long history of baby steps and individual cases of recognizing women called to ministry with decisive action.
The United Methodist Church has declared 2006 a year to recognize this 50th anniversary, and so here are a few resources for those interested in joining the celebrations:
This month's issue of the Circuit Rider is full of articles on women in ministry.
The General Board of Discipleship has a listing of Worship Resources to celebrate the anniversary.
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry sponsors a website by, for, and about UM Clergywomen.
And, just to lighten things up a little, here are the
Top 10 Reasons Why Men Shouldn't Be Ordained:
10. A man's place is in the army.
9. For men who have children, their duties might distract them from the responsibilities of being a parent.
8. Their physical build indicates that men are more suited to tasks such as chopping down trees and wrestling mountain lions. It would be "unnatural" for them to do other forms of work.
7. Man was created before woman. It is therefore obvious that man was a prototype. Thus, they represent an experiment, rather than the crowning achievement of creation.
6. Men are too emotional to be priests or pastors. This is easily demonstrated by their conduct at football games and watching basketball tournaments.
5. Some men are handsome; they will distract women worshipers.
4. To be ordained pastor is to nurture the congregation. But this is not a traditional male role. Rather, throughout history, women have been considered to be not only more skilled than men at nurturing, but also more frequently attracted to it. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination.
3. Men are overly prone to violence. No really manly man wants to settle disputes by any means other than by fighting about it. Thus, they would be poor role models, as well as being dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.
2. Men can still be involved in church activities, even without being ordained. They can sweep paths, repair the church roof, and maybe even lead the singing on Father's Day. By confining themselves to such traditional male roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the Church.
1. In the New Testament account, the person who betrayed Jesus was a man. Thus, his lack of faith and ensuing punishment stands as a symbol of the subordinated position that all men should take.
The United Methodist Church has declared 2006 a year to recognize this 50th anniversary, and so here are a few resources for those interested in joining the celebrations:
This month's issue of the Circuit Rider is full of articles on women in ministry.
The General Board of Discipleship has a listing of Worship Resources to celebrate the anniversary.
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry sponsors a website by, for, and about UM Clergywomen.
And, just to lighten things up a little, here are the
Top 10 Reasons Why Men Shouldn't Be Ordained:
10. A man's place is in the army.
9. For men who have children, their duties might distract them from the responsibilities of being a parent.
8. Their physical build indicates that men are more suited to tasks such as chopping down trees and wrestling mountain lions. It would be "unnatural" for them to do other forms of work.
7. Man was created before woman. It is therefore obvious that man was a prototype. Thus, they represent an experiment, rather than the crowning achievement of creation.
6. Men are too emotional to be priests or pastors. This is easily demonstrated by their conduct at football games and watching basketball tournaments.
5. Some men are handsome; they will distract women worshipers.
4. To be ordained pastor is to nurture the congregation. But this is not a traditional male role. Rather, throughout history, women have been considered to be not only more skilled than men at nurturing, but also more frequently attracted to it. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination.
3. Men are overly prone to violence. No really manly man wants to settle disputes by any means other than by fighting about it. Thus, they would be poor role models, as well as being dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.
2. Men can still be involved in church activities, even without being ordained. They can sweep paths, repair the church roof, and maybe even lead the singing on Father's Day. By confining themselves to such traditional male roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the Church.
1. In the New Testament account, the person who betrayed Jesus was a man. Thus, his lack of faith and ensuing punishment stands as a symbol of the subordinated position that all men should take.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Justice Denied
Sorry, I still haven't gotten those concert pictures up. But today's post is a little more important, if perhaps less surprising, than bestselling authors rockin' out to "Gloria."
The Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church has declined to review Decision #1032, released last fall. If you recall, the Council ruled that a pastor in charge of a church has sole discretion to determine a person's readiness to take the vows of church membership, affirming the decision of a pastor who denied membership to a gay man who was in a relationship. The Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) has an E-News Update containing an excellent summary of the dissenting opinions, as well as action steps those of us who disagree with the ruling can take. You can also read today's decision, with concurring and dissenting opinions, from the UMC.org website.
Another sad day for a denomination that claims to have "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." United Methodism has a proud tradition of inclusiveness that should be extended, not ended. If, like me, you believe that Jesus wanted everyone to be welcome in the communities of those who follow him, please consider supporting the Reconciling Ministries Network, or another organization working to promote understanding, reconciliation, acceptance, and celebration of all kinds of diversity in the church.
The Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church has declined to review Decision #1032, released last fall. If you recall, the Council ruled that a pastor in charge of a church has sole discretion to determine a person's readiness to take the vows of church membership, affirming the decision of a pastor who denied membership to a gay man who was in a relationship. The Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) has an E-News Update containing an excellent summary of the dissenting opinions, as well as action steps those of us who disagree with the ruling can take. You can also read today's decision, with concurring and dissenting opinions, from the UMC.org website.
Another sad day for a denomination that claims to have "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." United Methodism has a proud tradition of inclusiveness that should be extended, not ended. If, like me, you believe that Jesus wanted everyone to be welcome in the communities of those who follow him, please consider supporting the Reconciling Ministries Network, or another organization working to promote understanding, reconciliation, acceptance, and celebration of all kinds of diversity in the church.
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