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Food Grains Bank
On Sunday our Ministry and Personnel committee put on a lunch following worship. It was good to have a bowl of chili on a rainy, miserable day and eighty other people thought so too. The proceeds of the free-will offering were split between our congregation and the excellent work done by the Canadian Food Grains Bank.
The Food Grains Bank was started roughly twenty five years ago to contribute surplus Canadian grain to places in the world where people are hungry. A simple and very effective project. What is amazing is that it is a Christian initiative and fifteen denominations and church agencies are involved. Churches getting along for a good cause! I know you can detect some sarcasm here, but it is a minor miracle that groups as diverse as Adventists, Pentecostals, Christian Reformers, Roman Catholics and a bunch of others are cooperating to do what Jesus told us to do -- feed the hungry. The website for the Foodgrains bank states that it is
... rooted in the belief that humankind is created in the image of God and that it is God's desire that no person should go hungry. The availability of food and access to that food is fundamental to life itself. Food is required to sustain life, to provide the strength for work, and to share in the fellowship of one's family and community.
Over the quarter century more than one million metric tons of grain has been distributed to hungry people around the world. While the Food Grains Bank began with farmers sharing their excess grain, it has grown to include anyone who want to contribute to the cause.
This project has been adopted by our Sunday School and the congregation as a whole during our 175th anniversary year as a way of looking outward and expressing our thanks. Great idea!
On Saturday we drove into Toronto to visit the redesigned and expanded Art Gallery of Ontario. While we were curious about the transformation under the architectural direction of Frank Gehry, we were there to see the exhibition of work by William Holman Hunt. Hunt was one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite movement of the 19th century, a school of painting that doesn't really turn my crank. Still, with an exhibition entitled Sin and Salvation, how could I resist?
There were really two painting amongst the many to illustrate the "sin and salvation" theme. One is The Light of the World, a subject painted several times by Holman Hunt, and based on a metaphor found in the book of Revelation. The piece at the AGO is small, but I have seen one of the larger versions in St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England. It show Jesus, the Christ, standing at a door in the gloom of night, with a lantern which illuminates the scene. The actual lantern Holman Hunt used for the painting is part of the AGO exhibit. The door is vine-covered and there is no handle on the exterior. It must be opened from the inside, to welcome Christ in.
The other painting is called The Awakening Conscience. In this work a young woman who is in a compromising position with a rakish young man appears to have a moment of revelation about her lifestyle. While she may look rather modest in her demeanour, her loosened hair and petticoat indicate someone involved in a clandestine affair. In the mirror behind the couple we see her looking to the outside world. These paintings were often exhibited as companions.
I'm not a fan of the sentimentalism of the Pre-Raphaelites but these notions of awakening faith and response to the light of Christ are intriguing. Fashions in painting change but there are some basic precepts of spiritual transformation which endure.
Hospital(ity)
Despite a wet day, a gathering several hundred people strong took place outside the town hall this afternoon. I encouraged our folk to attend the rally is support of hospital services in Bowmanville and Clarington. Our community has a population of 30,000 and the municipality is more than 80,000. We may not be a major centre but we need a hospital that can provide adequate beds, an emergency room, and the services of specialists. There has been growing concern that the effectiveness of our hospital will be undermined by reduced medical services brought about by budget pressures.
Why would I attend a hospital rally and suggest others do so as well? There is a strong connection between care for the body and care for the soul. When people are not well, physically, it affects their spiritual well-being, and vice versa. When people are sick and hospitalized they are often scared and want the support of their faith community. It sure doesn't help when the hospital is half an hour from home, rather than in town. From my practical standpoint, I can be much more effective in providing pastoral care if I am minutes away from the hospital. And I appreciate the scale of the hospital here.
It's easy to forget that hospitals began as an extension of the hospitality (ring a bell?) of convents and monasteries. Monks and nuns were often the people with the greatest medical knowledge and it was a ministry of compassion. Read the Brother Cadfael mystery novels to get an entertaining picture of the role religious communities played in the medieval world. While hospitals today are usually state run, names such as Grace and Hotel Dieu are reminders of the work done by the Salvation Army and the Roman Catholic church to establish hospitals in days past. Our United Church ran hospitals in coastal British Columbia and Newfoundland for decades.
Any opinions on the subject of hospitals in smaller centres? Any testimonials about the value of those hospitals?
Your Earth Vote Counts
During elections we are urged to follow through on the privelege of voting in democratic elections and to make a difference with our vote. I hope that you will make a difference today for the sake of God's green Earth. Perhaps you can use the hour to talk with the people who are important to you about what changes you can bring about as concerned Christians. You won't be in the dark alone as people in 82 countries have committed themselves to Earth Hour.
Let us know how it goes!
Silence Like Scouring Sand
This morning on the radio I heard frustrated residents of a downtown Toronto neighbourhood speaking about the pollution that is driving them crazy. Forget the "usual suspects" of air pollution or nasty stuff bubbling up from the ground. It is the noise from a nearby construction site. GO Transit is putting in new rail line and massive pile drivers are pounding foundation material into the ground. The impact is so great that buildings shake, and the local residents are subjected to loud noise all day long. One person was contemplating moving because this will continue for 16 months!
Studies show that the rising background din of our urban and suburban worlds does have a psychological and physiological impact on us. I would offer my anecdotal support of this. When I was on restorative leave last summer I spent two months on a remote farm where the "noise" was the sound of birds, the wind in the trees, and the nightime rumble of a waterfall more than a kilometre away. A car passing by on the road was an occasion. I knew then and still know that this blessed quiet was part of my healing.
Orion magazine published an article last Fall called Silence Like Scouring Sand. http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/3627/ It was about a project to find a place in the United States where there are no human sounds. A National Parks Service worker has gone deep into Olympic National Park, searching for a spot where no human sounds are heard for fifteen minutes. I know some of you think this is bizarre, but to me it is a dream job. We walk around here a lot, and we are keenly aware of the constant noise which pushes in on solitude.
At the beginning of Lent we heard about Jesus going into the wilderness for forty days to get ready for the challenges of his mission, and the gospels tell us that he would go into the hills for prayer and spiritual replenishment.
Do you think noise is a form of pollution? Are you comfortable with silence? What do you do to get your "fix" of quiet?
Thank God for Children
The last two weeks have been very demanding with one activity after another, day in and day out. In the midst of it all was the funeral last week for a beloved member. I seemed to drag through the days following.
Then there are children who manage to brighten my days without much effort. One of our delightful little ones was in the office visiting his grandmother earlier this week when I walked in the door. He gave me a smile, then pointed urgently into my study. Obviously that is where I lived, and I should return to my lair!
Two days ago I came in to the sound of a little girl asking "where's David?" "I'm here!" I announced. "It's my birthday!" she told me with great enthusiasm. Three years ago she was a gift of joy to her adoptive parents and she never ceases to amaze me. I laugh nearly every time she comes by (she goes to the nursery school) because of something she says. Not long ago she was leaving and her mother suggested she say goodbye and maybe blow me a kiss. She didn't think so and left without a word. I had returned to my study when the door swung open and she deigned to say goodbye, then blew the kiss with the flourish of a dramatic sweep of her arm.
Last but not least. On Sunday Rev. Cathy talked to the kids about a visit to St. Vincent's kitchen, a meal program where volunteers must wear hair nets (she put one on.) At the end Cathy invited participation at the kitchen by adults and one little girl needed to know, in all earnestness, if it was necessary for her Dad to wear a hair net since he is bald. Great question. I could hardly stop laughing, although I didn't let her see my amusement.
Joy often takes us by surprise and we are so fortunate in this congregation to have the presence of children who embody joy, without even trying. They lift my spirits. Thank God for children.
Earth Hour is Coming!
Last year I encouraged people in the St. Paul's congregation to observe Earth Hour, a simple task of turning off the electricity in homes for the hour between 8:30 and 9:30 PM on a Saturday in March. Many followed through on the challenge, some more thoroughly than others. We shut off all our lights and computer. Others shut down everything in the house for an hour.
We played a game by candlelight while others sat and talked. Those of us who play musical instruments could get in some practice.I discovered afterward that the public schools had done a great job of promoting Earth Hour.
The next morning in worship we turned off the lights, sang from hymnbooks rather than projection, and our organist played the piano instead. It all symbolic really, but an important reminder that we can choose to live more lightly on the planet, even for an hour. We will do so again this year.
Will you participate this coming Saturday, March 28th? http://wwf.ca/earthhour/ You can win a trip to see polar bears in the Arctic if you sign on for Earth Hour online.
Responsibilty for our Actions
Stephanie Rengel
I took a look online at noon today to see what the sentence will be for the young woman who was convicted last week of murdering Stephanie Rengel. So far nothing is in the newspapers. For those outside Ontario, the teenager was found guilty of first degree in Rengel's death. She never had a relationship with fourteen year old Stephanie, nor any confrontation with her, but an unwarranted jealousy and hatred developed which led her to convince her boyfriend to stab her "rival" to death.
It seems to me that the conviction was just, although this is still a tragedy for everyone involved. Stephanie was a bright, motivated young woman who was the victim of a bizarre hatred she didn't know existed. The young woman, known only as M.T. because of the publication ban for a minor, as well as her boyfriend, effectively ruined their lives and those of three other families.
This sad story is a reminder that crimes of passion are not restricted to adults. It also calls into question the power of sexual jealousies and the tendency of our culture to sexualize relationships far too early.
There is also the issue of forgiveness and rehabilitation. At this pointe M.T. has shown no remorse for her actions, a chilling indication of psychopathology. What if she eventually realizes the enormity of her crime and expresses contrition and a desire to change her ways? Should a teen be sentenced to twenty five years before eligibility for parole? When I worked as a chaplain intern at Kingston Penitentiary there were teenagers who had been convicted of murder. I wasn't sure that they should be treated in the same way as adults who had committed similar crimes, or that society would be well served by locking kids away until they were in their forties.
Let's say it is a given that this is a horrendous crime and that the two murderers deserved to be punished. Do you think they should be sentenced differently than adults?
Gardening Apprentices
"Who does gardening dressed like that?" was the question posed by my wife Ruth this weekend.
It was in response to the film footage of Michelle Obama, the US president's wife, as she stuck a spade in the sod of the White House lawn. She is creating a vegetable garden as an encouragement for Americans to grow their own greens and eat healthily. The Obama's certainly don't need to plants spuds and beans to get by. And Michelle won't be wearing that outfit in the garden for long if she really plans to dig in earnest.
Why not though? During the Great Depression many people survived by using available backyard space for vegetables and the Victory Gardens of WWII were strongly encouraged. Somehow we have got away from growing our own food, unless you happen to be from a Portuguese or Italian background. Older immigrants from those two countries have an amazing ability to make gardens flourish. A silver lining of the economic downturn may be that we wake up to the importance of urban/suburban gardening instead of depending on products shipped to us from other countries.
There is something truly spiritual about rooting around in the dirt and the nudge to acknowledge this may be another important byproduct of our current mess. In his lovely little book The Fragrance of God Vigen Guroian, who is from the Orthodox tradition, reflects of the meaning of gardening. He says that where spirit and earth mix, God and humans meet. We are apprentices of the Master Gardener. Good thoughts.
I know that a number of readers have flower gardens. Any plans to grow veggies this year?
Posted by David Mundy at 12:32 PM 8 comments:
Where Would We Be Without Them?
The other day I walked partway back to the church from the local hospital with a guy who is a member of the congregation. A relatively recently retired professional, he is still spry and energetic and has time on his hands. I met him at the hospital as he visited one of our elderly members whom I had stopped in to see. He has taken a practical interest in her wellbeing and helps her out regularly. As fate would have it, I had just visited an octogenerian who lives in her own home who had commented on the kindness of this same fellow and his wife. She too is retired and helps with the local drop-in for those mental health issues. He also works around the church with a couple of other retirees, painting and repairing.
Folk like this tend to be the "unsung heroes" of congregations. St. Paul's is fortunate to have many of them who contribute in a host of different ways to make our church family and our community better places. They still enjoy retirement, travelling and spending time with grandchildren.
At the other end of life's journey, during March Break several of our young people went with Rev. Cathy to St. Vincent's Kitchen in Oshawa to serve meals. I'm told that they loved the experience and felt that by helping out they were making a difference.
Young and not-so-young, they have simply chosen to live out their Christian faith by giving back where they can. Where would we be without them?
A Different Stimulus Package
We were suitably outraged this past week by reports of huge "retention bonuses" paid to execs at AIG in the States, as well as Nortel. Why would a company want to retain leaders who ran the business into the ground, as is the case with AIG, and how can they use taxpayers money?
Closer to home and closer to our own life experience, the middle class continues to be battered by lay-offs and many more worry about job security. What will governments do to stimulate the economy and save jobs?
What if you are amongst the working poor or on social assistance? It would have been easy to miss a far less spectacular news story this past week related to an announcement by the premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty.The Child Benefit will increase from $600 to $1100 a year, or nearly double the current level. The increase will be on a sliding scale, with the biggest increases going to the households with the lowest incomes. An extra $500 a year per child might not seem like a lot to some of us, but to those living on the margins this will make a huge difference. My wife, Ruth, works with many income moms and knows this announcement will be of huge significance to her clients.
There is a strong biblical principle of caring for the disadvantaged in our midst, of providing for those who may not be able to provide even the basic necessities for themselves. Not only is this voiced by the prophets of the Old Testament, it is clearly stated in some of the letters of the New Testament.
It might be worthwhile to write the premier an email of commendation for this decision. It is not what we may think of when it comes to a "stimulus package" but it is such a good decision in these tough economic times.
When I fired up my blogger account today I was surprised to see that this is my six hundredth blog entry. Given that I wasn't sure if I could keep this up for a week when I started, I have certainly run on at the mouth. Thank you for reading!
Some of us looks like em...
Welcome to the first day of Spring 2009? As the birds return and hardier flowers take a cautious peek out of the earth we can be grateful for the change of seasons and the world God has created. Hold on -- am I allowed to affirm my belief in a creator God in a public forum? Will people think less of me for speaking of the Creator if I don't say something about evolution at the same time?
Recently Gary Goodyear, the federal government's Minister of State for Science and Technology declined to discuss his Christian convictions in the face of accusations that they might influence his decisions as a science minister. Goodyear felt that his beliefs were irrelevant to the way he did his job. Since then he has said that he believes in evolution, as though that assertion ever had anything to do with government cuts to science funding.
In recent years I have noticed an increasing ignorance and even antagonism directed toward religious people when it comes to issues of science. The assumption seems to be that if you believe in God you will not believe in evolution or take other scientific issues seriously. Granted, there will always be religious fundamentalists who assert that God literally created the world in seven days, but there are countless examples of scientists who are believers, as well as those who believe in a creator and a complex and envolving natural order. John Polkinhorne was a leading physicst who became an Anglican priest and continues to lecture and write on issues of faith and science. Francis Collins, the scientist who was instrumental in deciphering the genetic code is a Christian.
Today in the Globe and Mail newspaper there is an article in which Dr. Denis Lamoureux is interviewed. He hold doctorates in evolutionary biology and theology. I heard Lamoureux a few years ago in Halifax. The writer also speaks with Rev. Ambury Stuart who is a United Church minister and a climate change scientist. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090320.wxlscience20/BNStory/lifeMain/
During my first pastorate in outport Newfoundland we got into a spirited discussion at a bible study about creation and evolution. One participant was sure we couldn't be descended from apes. An older woman named Pearl offered "All I knows is dat some of us looks like 'em, and some of us don't!"
Have you made your peace between faith and science? Can you reconcile belief in a creator God and evolution?
The Right Choices for Conservation
We have been blessed with sightings of whales on many occasions during the years. We have lived in Atlantic Canada for two periods of time and returned for visits often. Among the cetaceans we have seen are humpback, fin, minke, beluga, and pilot whales. A few years ago we camped on Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy where we added another to our list -- the North Atlantic right whale. We were on a whale-watching outing where we followed (at a safe distance) a momma and her calf. These whales are rather boring because they swim around slowly, and without the gymnastics of humpbacks or the cuteness of belugas. They were considered the "right" whales for hunting because they were easy to track down and floated when harpooned. As a result they became an endangered species, with only 300 or so still alive.
The good news is that conservation efforts appear to be working. The Canadian and US governments have agreed on restricted areas and speed limits in the Bay of Fundy so these massive mammals won't be hit by ships, an ongoing problem. Some scientists figure the number of right whales should be adjusted up toward four hundred. It's not exactly time to dance in the streets, but it is movement in the correct (right?) direction.
One of my favourite psalms is 104, which creates a picture of creation where creatures exist because God wants them here, not because they are useful for humans. It speaks of Leviathan cavorting in the seas, and theologians speculate that this is a reference to whales. Even though right whales are a little short when it comes to cavorting, they are God's creation and deserve to exist.
Have any of you had close encounters of the whale kind?
With Hope of Resurrection
More than 200 people gathered at St. Paul's yesterday for the funeral of a long-time and beloved member. Doris was the woman in the critical care unit I blogged about last week. Sadly, we watched her slip away and yesterday was the opportunity for people to pay their respects in a service of worship.
Doris did a remarkable amount of good without fanfare. She was involved in many community organizations and cared deeply about a number of social issues. She loved the beauty of the natural world and actively cared for the environment.
It was so important that people came to support her family and honour her memory. A former minister and friend made the effort to be at the service. Our parish nurse and Christian development minister took part. Although this was a weekday, fifteen choir members came and did the important work of leading congregational singing and offeried a lovely anthem. Her bible study buddies were there, and people representing many facets of her life. Several members of her family offered fitting and moving tributes to their loved one.
None of us really wanted to be confronted by death, but there was an opportunity to celebrate a life lived well and to commend her to God's care and keeping. It was simply right that this service happened, even though Doris would have wondered at the fuss.
Because it was St. Patrick's Day we concluded the service with the hymn We Shall Go Out With Hope of Resurrection. I think we did.
As I looked out at the congregation I was struck by the importance of this worship event taking place in a church rather than a funeral chapel. We were remembering a person of faith, strongly rooted in this congregation. Any thoughts on the value and meaning of a church funeral?
St. Paddy's Day Commitment
St. Patrick Drives The Snakes Out of Ireland
The forecast for this day will take us into double-digit temperatures, a lovely way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. A hundred people gathered at St. Paul's church Saturday evening for a St. Patrick's dinner and entertainment. The gang included children and seniors and everyone in between. It was meant to be a fun evening, although we began with worship.
I spoke briefly about the love of the Celtic saints for the natural world, the created world. Many of those saints lived as hermits, away from the monasteries and convents. There are many legends of the cooperation between these holy men and women and the animals that inhabited the woods and the lakes.
I mentioned the tradition that an otter would bring St. Kevin salmon on a regular basis and even dove into the lake where he lived to retrieve his prayer book after it slipped out of the saint's hand! True? Obviously not, but the legends speak to a Christian tradition which honours creation rather than abusing it. This Celtic Christianity can still be a model for a world which has become much more complicated but still needs to be imbued with a spiritual respect for the balance of our ecological systems.
Our United Church creed includes the words "to live with respect in Creation" and St. Patrick's day can be one occasion when we renew the commitment.
Book of Negroes Revisited
Last week the novel The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill won CBC radio's Canada Reads competition. Five advocates "made the case" for their picks and one was chosen as the winner. You can check out the other winners on the CBC website. While I didn't follow the competition, I approve the choice on the basis of my enjoyment of the novel.
It is a gripping story of an African woman named Aminata, who is captured in Mali, transported in slavery to the the American south, eventually makes her way to Nova Scotia, and...well, I can't spoil the ending. While some critics claim this journey of a slave woman is improbable, there were in fact many whose lives involved years of movement across the Atlantic and even back again.
I read The Book of Negroes two summers ago in Nova Scotia. I purchased it before hearing the positive reviews and with little idea of its story. You may recall from an earlier blog that I realized as I read that I was situated in the area where the Nova Scotia portion of the story took place. We were just outside Port Mouton, mentioned in the book. My brother and I found Birchtown, the black community near Shelburne which is also important to the story. You will see photos above of our visit to the Birchtown museum site. The wooden structure is an example of the hovels people lived in. Click on the sign photo to read some of the history of Birchtown.
The Canada Reads win reminded me of the importance of Christianity both in the perpetuation of slavery and in aiding slaves to become educated and to move toward freedom.
Have you read this novel? Are you planning to read it?
We were saddened to hear of the crash of an oil-rig helicopter off the coast of Newfoundland, resulting in seventeen deaths. Sixteen of those who died were from the outport village of Bay Bulls, population 1200.
It took us back to my first pastoral charge which was in Newfoundland. I had five preaching points in five outports which meant for a busy life. Still we loved the rugged beauty of our area and during our time there our son Isaac was born and we became parents of a Labrador retriever named Pradie, which is the Newfie word for potato. We lived in a manse which looked out to the ocean.
A couple of men in our area worked in the newly developed oil industry which held great promise for the province. On Valentine's Day 1982 a fierce winter storm struck the province. The power went off and we were snowed in. The wind was so wild that it was a constant moan, and we couldn't see out the following morning because even our picture window was coated with a thick layer of snow.
Then the news came that one of the massive oil rigs called the Ocean Ranger had sunk and eighty four people, including fifty six Newfoundlanders died. No one from our communities was lost but it hit people hard. I was gently but firmly told that the next Sunday we must sing the hymn Eternal Father Strong to Save, and we did.
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
You Are The Light of the World
Two days again I was concerned when I discovered that one of our members had been moved from a ward room in the hospital to critical care. It was the right place for her to be, but it indicated her health was further compromised. Our conversation was brief because she was weak, but she squeezed my hand after our prayer.
Yesterday I returned to the glassed-in cubicle which is a critical care room and found her amidst the lines and monitors which give her sustenance and track her vital signs. A nurse worked quietly and efficiently while I was there, but respected my presence. Our friend spoke my name at the beginning and said "amen" after prayer at the end, but couldn't muster speech the rest of the time. I read to her from psalm 139 which offers assurance that God has known us since we were in the womb. Then the Beatitudes with the series of blessings and Jesus' powerful reminder that we are the light of the world. I assured her that she had been light for many people, myself included.
I walked out of the unit to speak with her son who was by her bedside when I arrived, as he was the day before. He told me that he watched as the monitors "picked up the pace" while I read to her and prayed. She seemed so still to me, but something was stirring inside.
As I walked back to my car I had a moment when the tears welled up and I just had to stop for a moment. I suppose I should be relieved that I am still moved emotionally by the suffering of others. I have been doing this for a long time but I hope I never stop feeling.
I'm Sorry, So Sorry
Remember this "hurtin" song, I'm Sorry, by Brenda Lee? Okay, some of you may be too young, but the theme was apologizing.
You tell me mistakes
Are part of being young
But that don't right
The wrong that's been done
Please accept my apology...
You may have seen yesterday that Ontario has joined other provinces in passing a law that allows people to apologize without risk of lawsuits. Read this from the Toronto Star:
Ontario became the latest province yesterday to adopt an apology law that will allow people to say they're sorry without fear of having it turned against them in court.
Under the new rules, apologies can't be used as an admission of fault or liability and won't affect someone's insurance coverage – a move critics warn may do victims more harm than good.
Fewer people apologize because they're afraid it could come back to haunt them if they are sued, Attorney General Chris Bentley said after the bill passed final reading.
British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have similar apology laws, and 35 U.S. states have some form of apology legislation.
I am on the Bowmanville hospital Pastoral Services Advisory Board and realize that the issue of accepting responsibilty for making mistakes is a major issue for medical professionals. Physicians in Ontario hospitals are now legally compelled to admit mistakes even when there are no negative medical consequences, but there is concern about the possibility of litigation. This law would help to address this.
Lent is a season when saying sorry is a major theme. The psalm for Ash Wednesday is always psalm 51, which is King David's admission of guilt and plea for forgiveness. We "talk the talk" of confession and forgiveness in the Christian community. The assumption is that our "sorrys" must be sincere and heartfelt.
What do you think about this law? Will it just let the guilty "off the hook?"How do we measure the level of sincerity in apologies?
There is an old saying that "a stitch in time saves nine." It is one of those wise saws that hardly surfaces any more. Our younger daughter, in her early twenties, asked me for examples of tradtional sayings recently and I trotted this one out. It took a bit of explaining about the notion of caring for something so it lasts. What a concept in our disposable world.
I have noticed lately that while we are inundated with news of layoffs and downsizing there are stories of businesses that are thriving. These are the car repair shops, and the tailors, and shoe repair stores. They have so much business they can't keep up. Rather than tossing out our stuff, we are choosing to mend and fix it.
This isn't much solace to an ailing car industry or other businesses which sell new items but does it say something about a correction in our society? Thomas Friedman, the Pulitzer prize-winning author thinks it may be the silver lining to our dark economic cloud. Our economy has been driven by "more" despite the toll it takes on the environment and the inequities it creates in the global picture of wealth.
We have created a system for growth that depended on our building more and more stores to sell more and more stuff made in more and more factories in China, powered by more and more coal that would cause more and more climate change but earn China more and more dollars to buy more and more U.S. T-bills so America would have more and more money to build more and more stores and sell more and more stuff that would employ more and more Chinese ...
We can't do this anymore.
Jesus encouraged simplicity and contentment in a society where people had little to start with. He saw the addiction to acquiring more and more as a spiritual issue. It's a tough one, because meaningful work is also a spiritual issue, but it is worth pondering.
Has the economic downturn encouraged simplicity in your household? Is this a spiritual concern?
Clergy Barbie?
Monday was actually International Women's Day, although many events were held on Sunday because, of course, nothing else happens on Sunday mornings.
The same day there were birthday parties for a 50-year-old female without a wrinkle in sight and still sporting a beguiling figure. What an irony that IWD and Barbie's 50th anniversary would coincide. Barbie has changed through the decades, including a thicker waistline, but she has staying power. She generates about 3.6 billion dollars in annual sales, which means that every three seconds a Barbie is sold somewhere in the world.
This isn't bad for something (someone?) lots of people love to hate. She has long been the target of feminists who point to her impossible figure as a source of a lousy body image for many girls. Both our daughters had a closet full of Barbies and I think their feminist mother did a good job of reminding them that this was fantasy, not the female role model.
Barbie has been a secret vice for girls in some cultures. There is an article in the Sunday New York Times by a woman who grew up in Iran, where Barbie was officially banned, but sought by many. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/09/opinion/09khakpour-barbie.html?scp=2&sq=Barbie&st=cse An artist's version of the Islamic Revolution Barbie is pictured above.
There has been an Astronaut Barbie, Biker Barbie, Mountie Barbie, even a military Barbie. (click on second image for a timeline.) Maybe we need a Clergy Barbie, complete with clerical collar to open up a whole new world of possibilities. I'm sure this suggestion will be welcomed warmly by the women in ministry who read this blog and those of you with female clergy!
Prayer Shawl Follow-up
When I went to the bedside of the woman who died last night her daughter and two grand-daughters were there. The daughter was with her mother at the moment of her death and had been keeping vigil for a while. She was wrapped in a shawl which was made by a St. Paul's knitter for her mother. Daughter pointed that out to me, one more reminder of the value of this ministry.
The Final Journey
My morning routine includes opening the front door to pick up my newspaper and then reading it while I listen to CBC radio. I am a media multi-tasker! The morning radio host is Andy Barrie, an enthusiastic, intelligent well-informed interviewer and "quarterback" of the show.
He sounded a little rusty and heavier in spirit this morning on his first day back after several months absence. That absence was cloaked in secrecy until we were told that his wife, Mary, had succumbed to cancer. Barrie made the choice to support her at home during the waning days of her life. I admire his priorities. As skilled as he is as a radio host, his wife needed him.
Part of my work, as with most clergy, is joining those who provide palliative care to the dying. We attempt to provide a "non-anxious presence" in Christ's name, whether it is the homes of the terminally ill, or in hospitals, or nursing homes. It is one of the privileges of the profession, even though it can be emotionally demanding and just plain sad.
Yesterday I went to the hospital after church to see someone taken overnight to the emergency department. As I was leaving the hospital after my visit I met family members of another member, a woman in her nineties in failing health. Back I went to emerg for a conversation, a hand-hold, a prayer. Later in the day I got the phonecall that she had died, and I returned to be with the family gathered around her bed. More conversation, hugs, another prayer.
Not everyone can take months off work to support a dying loved one, but we can attempt to provide loving support to those who make that last mysterious journey from this life to the next.
Bless Us In Our Common Search
Sarah and Abraham Marc Chagall
Today the covenant passage from the Older Testament was the story of the promise made to Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. Both Abram and Sarai are renamed as a sign of this new beginning. Sarah isn't named nearly as often in scripture as Abraham but she is an important biblical woman.
This is International Women's Day and women of every shape, size, and colour are being celebrated. Some suggest that the bible has been used to subjugate women, and at times this has been true. But there are also the stories of heroic women in scripture, those who overcome stereotypes and discrimination to know God and lead others to God. A favourite passage from the New Testament is Jesus' conversation with a woman at a well, his lengthiest conversation with anyone in the gospels. The Samaritan woman is an outsider because of ethnic association and sexual conduct and gender yet Jesus responds to her as a person of worth.
We sang a hymn from the More Voices book this morning called Hope of Abraham and Sarah and the first verse is a great one for this day.
Hope of Abraham and Sarah, friend of Hagar, God of Ruth,
you desire that every people, worship you in spirit, truth.
Meet us in our sacred places, mosque and synagogue and church.
Show us paths of understanding, bless us in our common search.
Kepler and Seasickness
Today the Kepler space craft, a telescope and camera mounted explorer, was successfully launched from the United States. It will go in search of what has been dubbed the "Goldilocks Zone," a region of space that might be able to sustain human life because it is neither too hot, nor too cold. As always this is an expensive project with a price tag of $600 million dollars.
I am always curious about the human endeavour to explore space, but an article in the newspaper on another subject was "cause for pause." It was actually a review of a new book called SeaSick which addresses the way the worlds oceans are being affected by climate change and pollution. I felt a little ill when I read that scientists are trying to figure out how to save 15% of the Great Barrier Reef, which they see as positive because the way in looks now 95% of the reef will die.
It occurred to me that God has already created the Goldilocks Zone on this planet and we are making a mess of it. Why on earth, or heavens above, would we go off looking for other inhabitable environments when we have done so poorly with the blue jewel which is Earth? Besides, if it costs $600 million to get the Kepler into space, what would it cost to send a handful of humans out there?
How far would this money go toward supporting climate change research or rehabilitation for damaged environments?
Is Spring Getting Closer?
We will probably get a blast of Winter yet, but today we were able to go for a walk after work and do so in daylight, as well as a temperature of 15C on the plus side. We also saw the first Red-winged Blackbirds of 2009. There must be a Spring out there somewhere. Thank God!
We are a few weeks away from our thirty third wedding anniversary which makes us...old! We were engaged in our teens and married shortly out of them, a choice we are relieved our children have not made. Yet for all the ups and downs of married life through the years we have continued to love each other and derive great comfort and pleasure in the company of the other.
Yesterday the Toronto Star wrote up a British poll which tried to get at the "recipe for a good marriage. I quote directly: "You need to say "I love you" daily, share two hobbies, and have sex three times a week. And that's not all. You're supposed to communicate – phone, text or email – three times a day during work hours, enjoy two romantic meals a month and exchange four kisses and three cuddles daily."
Hey, no pressure here. As idealistic as this sounds, my conversations with folk whose marriages are "going south" often show that these expressions of affection, both verbal and physical have waned. There are the feeble excuses that after years together they shouldn't have to actually say "I love you" or that life is too busy for cuddles or sex. Shared interests, communication, and affection all make a lot of sense. They are a lot better than indifference or resentment.
Lots of people still choose to get married in churches, and we like to say marriage is God's intention for commited couples, so encouraging and supporting good marriages seems to be part of our job description.
What do you think of the recommendations? Shared values, including a shared faith commitment seems important to me. I can hardly wait for your answers.
Wrapped in Prayer
This evening I was at a meeting in one part of the church while my wife Ruth was at another elsewhere in the building. Still another meeting was happening in between us. Busy place.
In her gathering Ruth chaired a group of ten women armed with knitting needles. They brought the prayer shawls they had completed and others "in progress." They also brought shawls which were the product of women in the congregation who may not attend the meetings but want to contribute. During the meeting some of these were designated for individuals who need support in body, mind, and spirit right now. Others will be matched with recipients as needs arise.Each one will be offered along with a written prayer, but the shawl itself is a tangible prayer, warm and encompassing.
The St. Paul's prayer shawl ministry has continued to be important in this congregation and this evening one of the members of the group was given one because there have been demanding health issues in her family. It was the one hundredth shawl presented, a meaningful milestone.
Last year I told readers that Ruth and I each received a beautiful shawl from a colleague, and this gift lifted our spirits during a difficult time in our lives. Prayer takes many different forms and this one makes a difference. Thank God for the women who take the time to lovingly knit each shawl and present it with love.
Planting Promises
Weddings are such promising events, a celebration not only of the present but of the future. We heard this morning that Indonesia is now requiring proof that a couple has planted ten trees before they will be issued a marriage license. This environmental initiative certainly looks to the future and is a wonderful program. Indonesia has huge forested areas but rampant cutting has reduced forests by about forty percent in the last fifty years.
There are many references to trees in scripture and they are often signs of both spiritual renewal and praise for the Creator. There is a tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Genesis, and the tree of life in the city of Revelation. Every February the Jewish religion has a festival of trees which is called Tu Bishvat.
We were out for a walk on Sunday afternoon and with the cold winter wind we could hear the clatter of bare branches against one another. I can hardly wait until those branches are covered with leaves again and offer a different song in the breeze.
Oh yes, when divorcing Indonesians have to plant one tree!
Yesterday newspaper headlines and reports on television and radio hailed a Canadian scientific breakthrough. It appears that it is possible to develop stem cells from skin cells, which can open the door to treatment of a number of debilitating diseases. We should be proud of Dr. Andras Nagy and his team from Mt Sinai hospital in Toronto.
The value of stem cells has been known for a while, but there has been an ethical road block. A principal source of these cells is human embryos, and various religious groups and ethicists have sounded the alarm about the development of embryos for the purpose of harvesting stem cells. The Roman Catholic church has been particularly vocal and has listed stem cell harvesting as one of the new Seven Deadly Sins. Obviously this recent scientific development would offer an option to the more contentious source of stem cells.
You may not lie awake at night fretting over these ethical issues, but it is a good thing someone is, or at least gives it a lot of thought during the day. Not long ago the United Church Observer did an article on bioethics and named several of Canada's foremost thinkers in this area. One was in my last congregation and another in the congregation before that. The person in Halifax was a mother of two small children and I didn't realize until my last year that the reason she wasn't in church from time to time was because she was invited to speak and attend conferences all over North America.
Shortly before I left Halifax we had coffee and she encouraged me to consider pursuing studies in this area because she felt that society was developing the technological skills far faster than our ability to ponder the moral and ethical issues. It seemed to be a daunting challenge, and I haven't taken it any further, but I think of her concern every time one of these issues emerges.
Faith isn't just "me and Jesus," even when the "biggies" seem overwhelming.
An Environmentalist I Am
Today is the birthday of the late Theodr Geisler, better known as Dr. Seuss. I don't need to tell you that Geisler/Seuss was the author of many wildly popular children's books, including the seasonal classic, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. My favourite, though, is The Lorax, a book expressing concern for the environment which was ahead of its time. Written in 1971, Geisler used The Lorax to point out the senselessness of voracious consumption of the world's natural resources.
I have used The Lorax more often with groups of adults than with children, although I have loaned my copy to parents to read to their kids. When I am asked to lead seminars on faith and the environment I often start with this book, which is a clever comment on the foolish ways of human beings.
Do you know The Lorax? Do you have another Dr. Seuss favourite?
This morning I began a series of Lenten sermons on the covenants or promises of the bible. The Older Testament readings for the next few weeks will remind us of promises made with Noah (Rainbow), Abraham and Sarah (Many Nations,) Moses (Ten Commandments) and Jeremiah (New Covenant of the Heart.)
In today's message I emphasized the promises we make by "marrying" a couple at the front of the church, taking them through the vows of a wedding ceremony. At the end I invited the couple who were "voluntold" to participate that they could kiss one another, which they did with a lingering smack!
I thought about this exhibition of affection in church. Sure we see couples kiss during real wedding ceremonies, but when have you ever seen a couple kiss in church at any other time? I don't think I have. A few weeks ago during another series I spoke about the importance of honouring the bodies God has given us, and the physical expression of our bodily nature. It was not my intention to follow up on the theme with what happened today, but it was a lovely, promising moment, sealed with a kiss. Some folk may have felt a little uneasy, but no one scolded me afterward.
The painting above is by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt and is called .The Kiss. It was painted in 1898.


TAMBOURINES TO GLORY by Langston Hughes is a gospel play with music. It tells the story of two female street preachers who open a storefront church in Harlem. One is the stolid, kind Essie Belle Johnson and the lusty , flamboyant Laura Reed.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Today, we're rolling out a combo job on Georgia Tech's men's basketball team and the football team. Both have scuffled.
Neither team is so talented as to show up and win with cavaliereffort, at least not against most opponents. They both need to playwith extreme passion – as the football team did at Virginia Tech,and the basketball team did in the first half Wednesday againstAlbany. They are hit and miss in the toughness category.
Tough to write that, and by it I don't mean that the Jackets lack the physical ability to respond to rough play, although that is an asset and every team could use more like Joshua Nesbitt in this regard.
More to the point, the Jackets could stand to muscle up between the ears. Here, too, Nesbitt is a fine example. He is so absolutely loathe to losing that it makes him uber-competitive and hyper focused.
Focus has been fleeting on the football team, and although the sample size remains small on the basketball team, there's evidence of distraction there as well.
To be more blunt than usual, I don't see enough pit bulls on these teams, players who HATE to lose so much that it triggers controlled inner, uh, near rage.
I'm not saying there are no tough guys. Sean Bedford and Brad Jefferson, for example, are going to commit their absolute max whether it makes them bleed or gives them a headache.
Iman Shumpert played Wednesday with the requisite chip on his shoulder, and so did most teammates.
Yet there seems to be a sporadic shortage of this intangible.
Your definition of toughness may differ; it's a wide-open word.
I'm looking for players who, when adversity strikes, buckle up and grind, players who get up when knocked down and fight back without being intimidated by what's already happened, nor hesitant in thinking about what might yet take place.
It's about not losing one's head, and remaining on task no matter what.
"[Toughness] has a physical and a mental component," Bedford said. "I think mentally is where it's more important because it's one thing to play though pain and keep focus when things aren't going well. Physically, it's just that one aspect; you have to bite your lip and keep going.
The basketball team has through three games appeared intermittently passionate. There's enough talent on that roster to be more competitive than the Jackets were through their first two games, and the second half of the third.
The football team was wired in Blacksburg. Last Saturday against Miami, eh, not so much, or should I say not as often.
There's a line between playing tentatively and therefore ineffectively because you're over-thinking or concerned that you might be about to mess up, and making a mistake by being too aggressive.
Lads, err on the side of the latter. Grind always, glide never.
Tech's football coach will tell you that to some degree toughness is inherent; it's more a part of the DNA than it is something that can be taught like ABC's.
"Some individuals have that toughness and some do not," Paul Johnson said.
Recall what I just theorized about staying on task being an important part of being mentally tough? Presumption is the bane of focus.
Bad idea. One of the greatest mistakes in sport is to presume.
No team, these two squads included, has a right to assume anything. Quite the opposite mindset should be in play. Expect adversity at every turn, but not with a paranoid bent, and win against it.
The Jackets have allowed their minds to wander, and it's not difficult to see. Linebacker Steven Sylvester said, "There's definitely been a couple games where we could have been a lot tougher." Johnson this week said Tech went to Kansas earlier this season apparently counting on victory.
He also said that when he was at Georgia Southern, the Eagles motivated themselves greatly by simply not wanting to be part of a team that finally lost a home game to snap their seasons-long string.
That's pride. Everybody has it. Some draw from and defend it more ardently than others. The football and basketball players need to tap into theirs, and up their personal antes to a man.
If you have a different definition of toughness, bring it to stingdaily@gmail.com. Some — but probably not all — other ideas welcome.


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43rd President of the United States: 2001 ‐ 2009
Statement of Administration Policy: S. 1348 - Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
(Senate)
(Sen. Reid (D) Nevada and 4 cosponsors)
The Administration strongly supports Senate passage of the bipartisan immigration reform proposal under consideration on the Senate floor. The proposal offers a much-needed solution for our Nation's broken immigration system. This proposal would deliver an immigration system that is secure, productive, orderly, and fair. The Administration applauds the members of the Senate who worked in the spirit of bipartisanship over the past months to address this critically important issue.
The Nation's immigration system badly needs reform, and this proposal takes a comprehensive approach. The proposal would require specific improvements in border security and interior and worksite enforcement. For example, the proposal would establish a strong employer verification system, which is a critical element of a successful system. Once these important goals are met, a temporary-worker program would be created to allow workers to come to this country for a short period of time on a new "Y visa" and fill jobs Americans are not doing. The temporary-worker program would address the needs of the Nation's economy and take pressure off the border by providing a secure and legal channel for workers seeking employment in the United States. For future immigrants wishing to come to the United States permanently, the proposal would revamp our immigration system and establish a new merit-based process, which takes into account job skills, economic needs, education, and English proficiency. The U.S. immigration system's recognition of immediate family ties would continue; however, future family immigration would be limited to the nuclear family – spouses and minor children. Visas for parents of U.S. citizens would be capped, while visas for siblings and adult children would be eliminated. Extended family would still be able to apply for green cards under the new merit-based system and would receive points under that system recognizing their family ties to U.S. citizens or green card holders.
The proposal would bring undocumented workers already in the United States out of the shadows without amnesty and without animosity. It would require workers to pay a meaningful penalty, pay their taxes, and pass a background check in order to obtain what would be known as a "Z visa." If these workers decide they want to apply for a green card, they would have to pass an English test, return home to file an application, and get in line behind those who have played by the rules and followed the law.
The United States has been a melting pot for over 200 years, giving much strength to the Nation.
The proposal would further efforts to help immigrants assimilate into American society by directing the Department of Education to make English instruction freely available over the Internet. The proposal also affirms that English is the language of the United States.
The Administration looks forward to a serious, civil, and conclusive debate that results in a comprehensive solution to our Nation's immigration challenges.
George W. Bush, Statement of Administration Policy: S. 1348 - Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/275163
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Biography Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid (Gud Dur)
Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid, nicknamed Gus Dur was born in Jombang, East Java, 7 September 1940 from the couple Wahid Hashim and Solichah. Nation's teachers, reformers, scholars, thinkers and political leaders are replaced by BJ Habibie as President after the elected Assembly election results of 1999. He was President of Indonesia from October 20, 1999 Special Session of the Assembly until 2001. He was born with the name Abdurrahman Addakhil or "the Conqueror", and then more fondly known as Gus Dur. "Gus" is a typical boarding school honor calls to the child kiai.
Gus Dur is the first son of six children, from a very respectable family in the Muslim community of East Java. Grandfather of his father, KH. Hashim Asyari, is the founder of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), while his maternal grandfather, KH Bisri Syansuri, is a boarding school teacher.
Gus Dur's father, KH Wahid Hashim, was involved in the Nationalist Movement and became Minister of Religious Affairs in 1949. His mother, Hj. Sholehah, is the daughter of the founder of Boarding Schools Denanyar Jombang.
After the declaration of Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945, Gus Dur back to Jombang and remained there during the Indonesian war of independence against the Dutch.
End of 1949, he moved to Jakarta after his father was appointed as Minister of Religious Affairs. He studied in Jakarta, go to primary school before moving to SD KRIS Matraman Perwari.
Gus Dur is also non-Muslims are taught to read books, magazines, and newspapers by his father to expand his knowledge. In April 1953, his father died in a car accident.
His education continued in 1954 at Junior High School and not the next grade, but rather because the issue of intellectual property. His mother then sent him to Yogyakarta to continue education.
In 1957, after graduating junior high school, he moved to Magelang Tegalrejo to study at boarding school. He developed a reputation as a gifted student, boarding school education completed within two years (should be four years).
In 1959, Gus Dur Tambakberas moved to boarding school in Jombang and get his first job as a teacher and head of the madrasa. Gus Dur is also a journalist and magazine Horizon Culture Jaya.
In 1963, Wahid received a scholarship from the Ministry of Religious Affairs to study at Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, but did not finish because of the criticality of his mind.
Abdurrahman then studied at the University of Baghdad. Although initially neglected, Gus Dur could finish his education at the University of Baghdad in 1970.
He went to Holland to continue his education, to study at the University of Leiden, but was disappointed that his education in Baghdad less recognized here. Wahid then went to Germany and France before returning to Indonesia in 1971.
Abdurrahman returned to Jakarta and joined the Institute for Research, Education and Economic and Social Affairs (LP3ES), an organization which consisted of progressive Muslim intellectuals and social democrats.
LP3ES founded the magazine Prisma where Gus Dur became one of the main contributors and often around the pesantren and madrasas all over Java.
When this is the one concerning the condition of boarding because of the traditional values of the pesantren increasingly faded due to the change and poverty pesantren which he saw.
He then canceled study abroad and prefer to develop the pesantren.
Abdurrahman Wahid continued his career as a journalist, writing for Tempo and Compass. His article was well received and started developing a reputation as a social commentator.
With the popularity of it, she received many invitations to give lectures and seminars, allowing him to commute Jakarta and Jombang.
In 1974, Gus Dur in Jombang get additional work as a teacher at the Islamic School Tambakberas. One year later, Gus Dur add to his work with a Master's Book of Al Hikam.
In 1977, he joined the University of Hashim Asyari as dean of the Faculty of Islamic Practice and Belief, by teaching additional subjects such as pedagogy, Islamic law and missiology.
He then asked to play an active role running the NU and refuse. However, Gus Dur was finally accepted after his grandfather, Bisri Syansuri, persuaded him. Since taking this job, Gus Dur also choose to move from Jombang to Jakarta.
Abdurrahman Wahid got his first political experience in the legislative elections of 1982, while campaigning for the United Development Party (PPP), a combination of four Islamic parties, including NU.
NU Reform
NU formed Team Seven (including Gus Dur) to work on reform issues and help revive the NU. On May 2, 1982, high officials met with Chairman of the NU NU Idham and asked him to resign. However, on May 6, 1982, Gus Dur called Idham option to withdraw is not constitutional. Idham Wahid urged not to retreat.
In 1983, Suharto was re-elected as president for a term of four by the Assembly and began taking steps to make Pancasila as state ideology. From June 1983 until October 1983, Gus Dur became part of the group assigned to prepare the NU response on this issue.
Wahid then concluded NU should accept Pancasila as state ideology. To further revive NU, he resigned from the PPP and NU's political parties to focus on social issues.
At NU National Congress of 1984, Gus Dur was nominated as chairman of NU and he accepted on condition that duly authorized to select a board that will work under him.
The election of Gus Dur viewed positively by Suharto. Acceptance of Pancasila Wahid along with the image of moderation makes it favored the government. In 1987, he maintained support for the regime by criticizing the PPP in the 1987 legislative elections and strengthen the Golkar Party.
He became a member of the Assembly of Golkar. Although the preferred regime, Gus Dur often criticize the government, including projects funded Kedung Ombo World Bank. This stretches the relationship with the government and Suharto.
During his first term, the focus of Gus Dur pesantren education system reform and managed to improve the quality of the education system so that schools compete with secular schools.
Gus Dur was reelected for a second term at the National Conference Chair NU 1989. At that time, Suharto, who was involved in a political battle with the Armed Forces, trying to attract the sympathy of Muslims.
In December 1990, the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) was formed to attract the hearts of Muslim intellectuals under the auspices of Soeharto and Habibie presided. In 1991, several members of the ICMI asked Gus Dur to join, but declined because it considered to be sectarian and just make more powerful Suharto.
Even in 1991, Gus Dur against ICMI by forming Democracy Forum, an organization composed of 45 intellectuals from various religious and social communities. In March 1992, Gus Dur was planning to hold a Great Council to celebrate the anniversary of the NU-66 and plan the event was attended by at least one million members of the NU.
Suharto ordered the blocking event with the police drove a bus containing members of the NU once arrived in Jakarta. Abdurrahman had sent a protest letter to Suharto declared that NU is not given the opportunity to present Islam that is open, fair and tolerant.
Towards the National Congress of 1994, Gus Dur himself nominated for a third term. This time against Suharto. The supporters of Suharto, like Habibie and Harmoko, campaigning against the reelection of Gus Dur.
When the national consultation was held, guarded polling stations Armed Forces, other than to attempt to bribe members of the NU does not choose it. However, Gus Dur was elected permanent chairman of NU's next period.
During this period, Gus Dur's political alliance with the launch of Megawati Sukarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI). Megawati's popularity remains high pressing Suharto plans.
Gus Dur Megawati advised to be cautious, but Megawati ignored it until he should pay dearly when in July 1996 Chairman of the Democratic Party headquarters taken over support of government support, Soerjadi.
In November 1996, Gus Dur and Suharto met for the first time since Gus Dur's re-election as chairman of NU. December of that year he also met with Amien Rais, a member of ICMI are critical of government policies.
July 1997 was the beginning of the monetary crisis in which Suharto began to lose control of the situation. Abdurrahman encouraged the reform movement with Megawati and Amien, but suffered a stroke in January 1998.
On May 19, 1998, Gus Dur, along with eight Muslim community leader, Suharto, who provided a concept called Reform Committee proposal. Gus Dur and eight people were refusing to join the Reform Committee.
Amien, who is the opposition of Suharto's most critical moment, not like a moderate view of Abdurrahman against Suharto. However, Suharto then back on May 21, 1998. Vice President Habibie replaced Soeharto became president. One effect of the collapse of Suharto is the birth of a new political party, and in June 1998, asked for the NU community Gus Dur formed a new political party.
New in July 1998 responded to Gus Dur's idea for founding a political party is the only way to fight the Golkar in the general election. The party is the National Awakening Party (PKB). On February 7, 1999, Gus Dur's PKB officially declared as a candidate for president.
April 1999 elections, CBA won 12% of the vote with the PDI-P won 33% of the vote. On October 20, 1999, the Assembly re-start a new president. Abdurrahman Wahid was elected President of Indonesia to-4 with 373 votes, while Megawati only 313 votes.
During his reign, Gus Dur was dissolved Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Social Affairs and became the first leader who gives Aceh a referendum to determine the autonomy and not independence like in East Timor. On December 30, 1999, Wahid visited Jayapura and managed to convince the leaders of Papua that he encourages the use of the name Papua.
In March 2000, the Gus Dur government began negotiating with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Two months later, the government signed a memorandum of understanding with GAM. Gus Dur is also proposed that the TAP MPRS No.. XXIX/MPR/1966 which prohibit Marxism-Leninism is revoked.
He also tried to open diplomatic relations with Israel, while he also became the first leader to reform the military and military issue of socio-political space. Two scandals emerged in 2000, namely scandal Buloggate and Bruneigate, which then dropped it.
In January 2001, Wahid announced that the Chinese New Year (Lunar) be an optional holiday. This action followed by lifting restrictions on the use of Chinese characters. On July 23, 2001, the Assembly formally memakzulkan Gus Dur and Megawati Sukarnoputri replaced it with.
At the April 2004 election, obtaining 10.6% CLA vote and choose Wahid as a presidential candidate. However, Wahid failed to pass a medical examination and the Commission refused to include it as a candidate. Solahuddin Wahid and support which is a pair Wiranto. On July 5, 2004, Wiranto and Solahuddin lost the election. In two rounds of presidential elections between Yudhoyono-Kalla pair with Megawati-Muzadi, Gus Dur vote.
August 2005, Gus Dur, the Coalition for Unity Risen archipelago together Try Sutrisno, Wiranto, Megawati and Akbar Tanjung criticize government policies Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, especially in the matter of removal of fuel subsidies.
Gus Dur Sinta Nuriyah married and blessed with four children: Alissa Qotrunnada, Zanubba Ariffah Chafsoh (Yenny), Anita Hayatunnufus, and Inayah Wulandari.
Yenny active politically in the CBA and currently is Director of The Wahid Institute.
Gus Dur's death, on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at Mangunkosumo Cipto Hospital, Jakarta, at 18:45 due to various complications of diseases, heart and kidney disorders among which he suffered for a long time.
Before his death he had to undergo regular dialysis. A week before being moved to Jakarta, he was treated in Surabaya after travel in East Java.
In 1993, Gus Dur to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the prestigious award for the category of social leadership.
He was ordained as the "Father of Chinese" by some Chinese figures Semarang in Tay Kak Sie Temple, Gang Lombok, on March 10, 2004.
On August 11, 2006, and Gus Dur Arivia girl get Tasrif Award-AJI as Freedom Fighters Press, 2006. Gus Dur and the girl is judged to have passion, vision, and commitment in the fight for freedom berekpresi, equal rights, the spirit of diversity, and democracy in Indonesia.
He received an award from the Simon Wiethemthal Center, a foundation engaged in the enforcement of human rights because it is considered as one of the leaders who care about human rights issues.
Gus Dur was awarded the Valor Mebal with offices in Los Angeles because Wahid judged to have the courage to defend minorities.
He also received awards from Temple University and his name is immortalized as the study group name Abdurrahman Wahid Chair of Islamic Study.
Gus Dur's gained a lot of Honorary Doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) from various lebaga education, namely:
- Honorary Doctorate from Netanya area Humanitarian University, Israel (2003)
- Honorary Doctorate in Law from Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea (2003)
- Honorary Doctorate of Sun Moon University, Seoul, South Korea (2003)
- Honorary Doctorate from Soka Gakkai University, Tokyo, Japan (2002)
- Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy of Law from Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand (2000)
- Honorary Doctorate from the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand (2000)
- Honorary Doctorate of Law and Political Science, Economics and Management Sciences, Humanities and Sciences of the Pantheon Sorbonne University, Paris, France (2000)
- Honorary Doctorate from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (2000)
- Honorary Doctorate from the University of Twente, The Netherlands (2000)
- Honorary Doctorate from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India (2000)
This entry was posted in Biography Indonesia, Biography of Leaders, Entrepreneur Biography, World Leaders


The latest release on Francis Harris' Scissor & Thread label out of Brooklyn is another exercise in deep and meditative atmospheres. The label, comprised of a tight knit collective of multi-faceted composers, vocalists and instrumentalists, always strives to develop new projects based on a shared aesthetic, and this five track EP is both boundary pushing and fully synchronized with the label's approach. With Melquíades' 'Blue Caves' Melbourne based Composer and Sound Designer Alexander Albrecht presents his solo debut EP following on from the 'Tidal River' album he released as part of the Albrecht La'Brooy duo. The title track 'Blue Caves' is a skittering, weightless exploration of space, seemingly built around lush field recordings and fragments of melody developing out of the ether. 'Avlemonas' flows from a similar source, but crystallizes around an off kilter rhythm and occasional subby bass, balanced against swooping pads and piano motifs. 'Morning Breeze' seems to revel in the evocative nature of its title, with hand played percussion backing more wistful, emotive piano sketches and wandering bass notes, before the track settles into a hypnotic groove. Label head Francis Harris provides another take on the track for his Re-form version, a more dancefloor aimed excursion that draws deeply from the classic deep house of the New York and Detroit masters. Ending the relases is 'Patio', which drifts back towards the ambient territories of the opening tracks, with exquisite, understated instrumentation and a melancholic yet elated vibe.


text:
from menpo.base import MenpoMissingDependencyError

try:
    from .detect import load_dlib_frontal_face_detector, DlibDetector
    from .train import train_dlib_detector
except MenpoMissingDependencyError:
    pass

# Remove from scope
del MenpoMissingDependencyError

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


This paper is a summary of a series of closed-door expert roundtables that took place in Prague on May 31, 2016. Over 30 experts, activists and journalists from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine gathered for the event "Countering Pro-Russian Disinformation: Current Challenges and the Way Forward."
The overall aim was to assess Western preparedness and discuss various initiatives and best practices that could be used to effectively counter pro-Russian disinformation in the region. The event was organized by the Prague Security Studies Institute with support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel Library and the Open Society Foundation.
You can find more information about the event and the list of session's participants here.
Summary Paper "Countering Pro-Russian Disinformation"


Achieving work-life balance is hard enough, and adding in the fact that you're working from home adds a whole dynamic to the juggling act. How can you possibly balance these two major components of your life when they are taking place in the same location?
This article discusses five guidelines to help you achieve balance in your home office by establishing boundaries; learning how to deal with crossover; staying motivated and connected; and setting realistic, attainable and measurable goals.
Any work-at-home guru will put boundaries at the top of their tips to succeed in a home office environment, and for a good reason. You've got to be organized, know what you're doing and when, and be able to verbalize this structure so that you – and everyone else in your household – doesn't end up overworked, under-appreciated, or separated from the world around them!
One of the most overlooked yet critical boundaries is knowing when to disengage. In today's hyper-connected world, we can do crazy things, like schedule conference calls after dinner or check and answer emails at 11 p.m. Shut your office door, log out of your email, put away your smartphone! If it comes down to it, write yourself a sticky note and be as confrontational with yourself as you need to be. You alone have the power to hold yourself accountable for setting boundaries and sticking to them.
We all wish we could find the magic trick that gives us balance between our work and personal lives, but in reality, work-life balance is about careful coordination and blending. One helpful technique to handle crossover is to end your working day well. Create a new to-do list for the next day at the end of each day, so you reduce the amount of time to get organized each morning. Or, create an "end of the day" ritual to demark leaving work and beginning personal time. This can be as simple as changing clothes or engaging in some calming exercise. Develop a clear transition from one mindset to the other, and establish this routine as a habit.
Accept that there will be crossover. Co-workers and colleagues become friends, and children become employees. It's okay to blend the two together, and you get to decide what and how much you allow.
The key to staying happy working from home is to stay motivated. Each person has their own unique set of motivators, whether it's extra time off, a trip to the bakery or shoe store, or a relaxing bubble bath in the mid-afternoon. One thing is the same for all of us: we work hard and deserve to be rewarded for it! You know what reward is going to speak to you, and what's going to let you kick your feet up at the end of the day and take pride in your accomplishments. So, choose your reward and when you earn it – take it!
Working from home can become isolating if you forget to pay attention to maintaining social connections and networking. Take advantage of online networking through groups such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to develop a network you can communicate with virtually. Look for other work from home groups in your area, or stay-at-home mom groups that engage in a weekly meet-up for lunches or coffee. Larger cities even have pay-to-work office space than you can rent by the hour in traditional office environments if you have a craving to work a "real" office for a day or two.
One fun idea for work from home women when you need to get out of your home office is to be a business traveler in your hometown. Take your work on the road to a local coffee shop, restaurant, or hotel lobby and work there for a day. You never know whom you might meet!
Goals define benchmarks for you to use as measurements of how well you're balancing your work and life. Reaching your goals provides the opportunity to celebrate your successes with your reward! They also provide you with insight into what areas you struggle with and can help guide you with adjustments in your balance to keep you on track.
Be realistic – know what your responsibilities and obligations are, how long they take you to complete, and when they are expected to be completed. Know your work style and when your best times are to focus and be productive. Remember, your family and personal life are stakeholders in your success too, so don't forget to factor them in.
Be attainable – don't set yourself up for failure by developing an overly rigid or complicated schedule or set of expectations. Don't start off by putting yourself in reactive mode by overreaching. Design an attainable goal plan that fits your lifestyle. You can modify it later as you find your rhythm.
Be measurable – develop ways to measure your work: the time it takes, the time you lose on distractions, etc. Later you can sit down, see a pattern in your work, and have the information you need to tweak your schedule accordingly to keep your life as balanced as possible.
Being satisfied and productive in the home office environment is a learned skill that takes adaptation and personalization, much like working in any other environment. Just like learning the specifics of your situation in any workplace, flourishing in your home office requires just as much – if not more – honesty with yourself about what you value and how you really work, your goals, your expectations, and your boundaries. Using these five guidelines will assist you in setting yourself up to create a fulfilling experience working from home.
Lindy has a BS in Business and an MA in Leadership. She works from home full-time as the Editor-in-Chief of Radiant Advisors and faculty member of her Graduate Alma Matter. Lindy is also the founder of Granny Smith Magazine and a regular contributor to Millennial Leader. Visit Lindy on Twitter @lindy_ryan.
Great feedback, everyone! I'm so glad you found value in the tips!
These are great tips! Some of them translate well for those of use who still work in the cubicle maze as well, such as getting motivated and setting goals. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Karen – Glad you enjoyed Lindy's article!
Hi Kathleen, Sticking to a schedule is key for me. If I didn't, I'd have a hard time making working at home work.


text:
Q: Why JDK8's Base64 uses ISO-8859-1? I'm writing my own BASE64 encoder/decoder for some constrained environments.
And I found that Base64.Encoder#encodeString saying that it uses ISO-8859-1 for construct a String from those encoded bytes.
I perfectly presuming that ISO-8859-1 charset also covers all base64 alphabets.
Is there any possible reason not to use US-ASCII?

A: I suspect it's more efficient: converting from ISO-8859-1 back to text is just a matter of promoting each byte straight to a char, whereas for ASCII you'd need to check that the byte is valid ASCII. The result for base64 will always be the same, of course.
(That's only a guess, but an educated one. You could always run benchmarks if you want to validate it...)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


You will be responsible for setting up and executing sales and marketing policies and programs, as well as identifying areas of improvement to increase our products awareness.
You will be fully responsible for a specific product or a family of products, where you will have the chance to put your skills to work and shine.
The role is critical to the sustainable growth of the Company. It requires an individual who can identify sales opportunities within the business community, create a strategic marketing action plan to develop brand and products awareness; tactically execute this action plan within the Company's marketing policies and programs to capture new business within the ICT Consulting and Professional Services field.
Approachable communicator with dynamic presentation skills and drive to motivate others to develop and understand the benefits of technology and the impact on the workplace is the ideal individual for this role.


text:
Shangri-la and the Curse of Xi Jinping
by Ben Hillman
The world's largest Tibetan prayer wheel sits above Shangri-la's new town square
Photo: Ben Hillman
IN 2002, the remote Yunnan province county of Zhongdian 中甸 became instantly famous when it officially changed its name to Shangri-la 香格里拉. The name change was the centrepiece of a new economic development strategy based on domestic tourism. The largest county in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Shangri-la was home to several ethnic groups, Tibetans, Naxi, Yi, Bai, and Han, living side by side in valleys surrounded by snow-capped mountains — a natural and cultural landscape straight out of the pages of James Hilton's Lost Horizon. Allured by the exotic promise of a mythical paradise, and aided by new road and air links, Chinese tourists began flocking to the rural backwater.
As arrivals rose from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands per year, Shangri-la grew rich, with tourism the key to its prosperity. Local officials began building more roads and erecting fences and ticket gates around newly designated tourist sites. They named and re-named places to make them sound more exotic: grasslands at the foot of Shika mountain became known as Blue Moon Valley, and two lakes outside town were incorporated into the new Lakes of Heavenly Arrival national park. Local authorities funded the gilding of temple rooftops within the Tibetan Buddhist monastery at the edge of town and built a new car park to accommodate tour buses. Officials then commissioned the world's largest Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel (mani-chos-'khor མ་ནི་ཆོས་འཁོར or 'khor for short) to be mounted on a hill overlooking the town. Later, authorities added a giant stupa at the entrance to the city (municipal status was conferred on Shangri-la in 2011 following its breakneck urban expansion). In 2017, they decided to double the size of the stupa to make it the world's largest as well. As tourist numbers continued to swell, grand museums of local culture and history and performance theatres designed in a kitsch, pseudo-Tibetan style began to replace the town centre's drab government offices, which were relocated to purpose-built sprawling, pseudo-Tibetan complexes on the outskirts of town. Dozens, then hundreds of hotels of all types, from backpacker hostels to five-star luxury resorts, sprang up. Property prices soared, particularly in the 'old town', which was, in fact, a complete reconstruction.
In the early years, some local officials were concerned that the spoils of tourism would flow to a few rich investors and the outsiders they recruited to work in hospitality and other tourism-related businesses because few locals had the skills to find jobs or start new businesses in tourism. Eventually, however, there was enough money sloshing around that just about everyone benefitted. At first, locals with landholdings close to town were able to sell or rent their land at high prices for redevelopment as tourism-based enterprises. With a little help from training projects and social enterprises, others started finding work in hotels, travel agencies, and restaurants. There was also plenty of demand for local produce so farmers in surrounding villages, who were mostly Tibetan, began to get rich too. Shangri-la's ever-expanding streets and residential neighbourhoods started filling up with imported cars. At least two local Tibetan entrepreneurs bought Humvees (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles). Soon there were also fancy restaurants, bars, and karaoke bars. Local officials dined extravagantly, fuelling a boom in upscale hotels and eateries, including Western-style steakhouses and multi-storey hotpot houses.
And then, all of a sudden, the party stopped. From 2013, Shangri-la's bars and restaurants started to empty. The boom had turned to bust, seemingly overnight. Locals knew who to blame: the newly appointed General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping. Xi came to power at the end of 2012 determined to clean up official corruption, including local profligacy. The Party set new guidelines for official expenditure at all levels, beginning with entertainment and the use of government vehicles. Expenses had to be within budget, conform to strict regulations (including how many dishes were allowed to be served at official functions) and be well documented. Government officials could no longer keep their drivers waiting for them outside nightclubs until the early hours of the morning — and now even being seen to visit 'unsavoury establishments' could ruin careers. Local Party bosses 'got the memo', and official spending dried up. Businesses began to shutter. A policeman told me that all the xiaojie (female sex workers) had left town. (They had mostly been from poorer parts of Yunnan and Sichuan). Locals grumbled about the tough new operating environment even though many acknowledged that the policies were correct and that official spending and corruption had to be reined in.
Soon, fewer and fewer tourists came to Shangri-la. Big groups, the lifeblood of the boom, stopped completely. At first the plummet in tourist arrivals was a mystery. People wondered aloud if the general economic slowdown was to blame. But the drop-off was precipitous. Slowly, it dawned on people that Xi Jinping's policies might be responsible for this problem, too; there was a rapid decline in the previously large number of danwei (work unit) tours — groups of state employees enjoying a holiday as a perk of their employment. State-owned enterprises or government bureaucracies sometimes used group tours to reward staff when they were unable increase salaries. Shangri-la was a popular destination for the danwei holiday industry. Danwei groups were big spenders because they were not spending their own money, and tour members had plenty of spare cash to spend on souvenirs such as dried yak meat, and Tibetan medicines such as caterpillar fungus (believed to be an elixir of longevity as well as a cure for all kinds of ailments, including asthma and low libido).
Xi Jinping's regime of strict official discipline forced work units to cut back on perks, such as holidays. As the tour groups stopped coming and hotels and restaurants began to close down, Shangri-la locals began cursing Xi Jinping. 'Xi has definitely screwed us' 搞砸了我们, a local official told me privately in the lead-up to the Nineteenth Party Congress in 2017. 'For a long time we thought the anti-corruption campaign would eventually come to an end and we could return to business as usual.' However, with Xi Jinping settling into his second term, and with anti-corruption remaining high on his agenda, it now seems that the old business models are defunct, and that money will not grow on trees any more. 'Xi has destroyed our old way of doing business,' the official told me, 'we can only wait to see what a second term of Xi Jinping will bring. Xi is promising the Chinese people a China Dream, but in Shangri-la we are worried the dream is over.'
For the full story of the name change see Ben Hilllman, 'Paradise under Construction: Minorities, Myths and Modernity in Northwest Yunnan', Asian Ethnicity, Vol. 4. No. 2. June 2003, 177–190. On the local community's embrace of the name change see Ben Hillman and Lee-Anne Henfry, 'Macho Minority: Masculinity and Ethnicity on the Edge of Tibet', Modern China, 32, April (2006), 251–272.
On the role of the monastery in the region's tourism development see, Ben Hillman. 2005. 'Monastic Politics and the Local State in China: Authority and Autonomy in an Ethnically Tibetan Prefecture', The China Journal, July, 54, (2005), 29–51.
On urbanisation in Shangri-la and conferral of municipal status see Ben Hillman, 'The Causes and Consequences of Rapid Urbanisation in an Ethnically Diverse Region', China Perspectives, 3, September (2013), 25–32.
Shangri-la's central village was left to ruin before the tourism boom. Merchants moved in and created a bustling old town as a drawcard for tourists. Most of the old town's commercial zone burned in a major fire in 2014. See Ben Hillman, 'Shangri-la: Rebuilding a Myth,' The China Story Journal, Canberra: Australian Centre for China in the World, 2016.
On the early challenges of tourism-led development see Ben Hillman, 'China's Many Tibets'. Asian Ethnicity, Vol. 11, No. 2. June (2010), 269–277; and Ben Hillman, 'Ethnic Tourism and Ethnic Politics in Tibetan China', Harvard Asia Pacific Review, Jan. (2009), 1–6.
On the excesses of local officialdom see Ben Hillman, 'Factions and Spoils: Examining Local State Behavior in China', The China Journal, Vol 62, July (2010), 1–18; and Ben Hillman, Patronage and Power: Local State Networks and Party-State Resilience in Rural China, Stanford, Ca.: Stanford University Press, 2014.
Return to: Forum: Borderlands
When Not to Respect Your Elders - Tom CliffShangri-la and the Curse of Xi Jinping - Ben HillmanKangbashi: The Richest 'Ghost Town' in China? - Uchralt Otede
For all notes referenced in the text, please refer to the Notes PDF.


text:
in People, Stories
No One Showed Up To This 6-Year-Old Autistic Boy's Party, But Then Strangers Came To The Rescue
by Erica Hatch Dec 18, 2020, 2:51 pm
In life you have to take the good with the bad. This birthday save story has both. I'm disappointed in a lot of the people involved in the bad. But at the end of the day, there's a cute little autistic boy with a smile on his face, so that's what I'll let trump my day.
Ashlee Buratti was throwing a 6th birthday party for her son, Glenn. All 16 of Glenn's classmates were invited, but no one showed up. Only after Ashlee vented her frustration on Facebook did people decide to stop by, bring presents, and try to brighten Glenn's day. A week later, sheriff's cars, police dogs, and firefighters even showed up and brought presents they had bought with their own money. Perhaps the most amazing part was the helicopter fly by to wish Glenn a Happy Birthday. Now, here's the really sickening part. People actually complained about this birthday by calling it a waste of taxpayer money. But like I said before, let's focus on the good. That good being the coming together of a community to help a young autistic boy to have a happy birthday after he had felt abandoned and shunned by his friends.
1. Glenn waving to the police helicopter as they dropped low and waved during their fly by attempt to save this young autistic boy's birthday.
Facebook / Ashlee Buratti
2. Glenn opens some of the presents that the public servants, police and firemen, purchased with their own money.
12. Some of the public servants that stopped by to brighten Glenn's day.
h/t
A huge THANK YOU to the strangers, police, firefighters, parents, and children that stepped up to give Glenn a birthday to remember. Your birthday save helps to restore faith in humanity.
https://www.buzznicked.com/birthday-save/


This is a pair of men's Ralph Lauren cotton chino flat front pants.
Used and in fair to good condition with general signs of wear and discolouration throughout. Freshly laundered and ready for their new owner.
SIZE: The label states 34W but the actual trouser waist measurement is 34in so this should be a good fit for a 32in waist (UK Sizing), which allows room for a comfortable fit. Please note the inside leg is stated as 30L but actually measures 26in as the trousers must have been taken up (please see below for all key measurements to check against a similar garment of your own to ensure a good fit).