Who, me?

Continuing working through Weaving: A Just Future for Children, an Advocacy Guide by Diane C. Olson and Laura Dean F. Friedrich, I was reminded of a childhood song -

Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?  (repeat)
(John Doe) stole the cookies from the cookie jar!
Who me?  Yes, you!  Not me!  Then who?

Responsibility.  Accountability.
Definitely difficult concepts, especially if we as Americans must choose to change something we love.

In review - Olson and Friedrich on the subject of child advocacy:
Framework is important!!
Metaphor is a loom, which requires a frame, made up of:
1 - Theology
2 - Scripture
3 - A Safe Environment (Chapter 3)
Then comes the weft: (strings going vertical)
*Child Advocates

A huge part of advocacy is making the choice to do something.  They turn the frame into something - without them it is just an empty loom.  While advocating for children can be a one time act of mercy or compassion, more often it comes a continual process of justice.

Olson and Friedrich give an great discussion on types of advocacy.  Here is the list -
* Education
* Service
* Public Policy
* Coalition Building (partnering)

Some of which are much easier, or more comfortable for churches however as Christians I firmly believe we are called as the body of Christ to each one of these.  As leaders I think it is crucial to focus on making connections and building relationships to encourage each of these types of advocacy roles within the gifts of a congregation - including children!

On a related topic, I am often asked (as a UM Deacon Candidate) what a Deacon does?  The best thing is a deacon can do ministry in so many places!  Deacons can serve in hospitals, schools, community organizations, or even churches.  A great metaphor for a deacon is a bridge builder.  I understand my calling as a deacon as one who helps to encourage and facilitate the connections between churches and those who are in the church with the needs of the world.   Many of us are called to acts of compassion and mercy - such as giving change or a granola bar to someone begging in the street, yet others are called to justice work - such as advocacy as described as a process, creating relationships and asking/addressing the question of why is this person here?

How do you respond to the concept of advocacy?
Do you feel called to any particular type of advocacy, whether towards a particular group or using the categories listed above?
How does advocacy fit within your calling?

Peace,
Erin

Reservoir

“If then you are wise, you will show yourself rather as a reservoir than as a canal. For a canal spreads abroad water as it receives it, but a reservoir waits until it is filled before overflowing, and thus communicates, without loss to itself, its superabundant water. In the Church at the present day, we have many canals, few reservoirs.” – Bernard of Clairvaux


I love the church, my church, the United Methodist Church, and I have a fondness for the ecumenical movement.  
I am a young adult.  
Today, that isn't the most common combination out there.  
I hear, read, and see a lot of conversation about what we as a church are doing wrong, or ways to improve, or talk about SIMPLY living out the gospel instead of getting caught up in the bureaucracy of "religion."  I do worry about the future of my church.  (hence why I read the blogs/have the conversations)  Yet I'm not about to jump ship - I'm actually planning on staying aboard (and getting ordained!).  
Culture, context, social location, I'm learning are all major factors in a person seeking and accepting the grace God offers us all.  And even more so - having one's basic needs met.  Without clean water, a steady and strong roof over your families head, access to education - there may be more important things to deal with than a confusing idea of salvation.  
With the advent of the internet at our fingertips, everything from ancient philosophers teachings to Pinterest boards of "Outdoor Inspirations" are even more available than the public library.  Social Media is an integral marketing aspect of our ministries and our churches.  Yet I hear many young adults asking for simplistic ways to "change the world" and spouting a desire to serve others.  While honorable (and I do share these sentiments) I also have a firm belief that true and deep faith (not cheap grace) come with involvement in a christian community.  Discipleship matters.  Our language matters.  From how we talk about God to how we talk to each other.  These concepts are not always simplistic, but are what Jesus calls us to - true relationship.  
We, and when I say we I mean all generations of the church, must respect one another and the wisdom and experience we all share.  Opting out of "religion" isn't the answer.  Using "hip and contemporary" movie clips or music in worship isn't the answer (yet engaging worship is great!) deep relationships are what we all desire, meeting peoples needs is what we are each called to do, and supporting each other in community is a part of our human nature.  
What will I do?  Continue to be idealist I hope.  Continue to seek God and study those who have gone before me to become a reservoir that can last - not a river of the moment.  


May God's peace be with you on your journey.  
your sister in Christ~Erin 

More crazy ancestors!

Back to the first chapter of Matthew to learn more about the crazy of stories of Jesus's ancestors.

Perez and Zerah - twins sons of Judah (4th son of Jacob) and Tamar (his daughter in law), when they were born Zerah put his hand out first but then pulled it back in and his brother came out.  Zerah is therefore the oldest... moved to Egypt with their father Judah, uncles, etc. (over 70 - people in all) to be with Joseph and lived there until they died.  Both had clans named after them (the Hezronite clan and the Perezite clan) caounted in the census as part of the clans of Judah 76,500 men the largest clan at the Plain of Moab before the Israelites entered the promised land.
Hezron - son of Perez, must have lived in Egypt, a part of the growing Israelite population soon to terrify the Egyptians.  Out of fear the Egyptians organized the Israelites into work groups to control them, a pharaoh even ordered midwives to kill boy babies during childbirth or drown them : (
Ram - ?
Amminadab - only reference I could find was as father as Nahshon
Nahshon - chosen to help Moses and Aaron register every man in the tribe of Judah for the census help in the wilderness of Sinai, a military leader as well (Numbers Chapter 1.7)  The tribe of Judah was the largest tribe at 74,600 men of the 603,550 total warriors.
Salmon and Rahab - Rahab, another woman! and referred to as a harlot..., lived in Jericho before the Israelites arrived, and when they approached the country was in an uproar.  Two scouts came to her house and she hid them with the promise that when the Israelites took over her family would not be harmed.  (Joshua 2)  After Joshua and his army took the city, Rahab and her family were the only ones spared, well them and the gold, silver, and bronze.  *personal issue - Joshua's genocide?  hmmm...  : (  The couple would have been part of the clans of Judah that settled in the area described in Joshua 15 from the great sea to the salt sea south of the tongue... etc.  must include in part or whole, Jerusalem
Boaz and Ruth - The beautiful story of Boaz and Ruth is told in the book of Ruth. During the time of the judges a family had left Israel, and the 2 sons took wives from the area they moved too.  Then the husband died.  Then the sons died.  The 3 women were left wondering what to do.  One daughter in law returned to her family, the other, Ruth refused to leave her mother in law and the two went back to Israel.  Ruth was not an Israelite by birth, but accepted it "your God is my god" she said.  In Israel she walked through the fields picking up what had been left behind for the poor and the prominent owner noticed her - Boaz.  (good guy too, he fights for her and everything)
Obed - only mentions him as a baby and as part of the lineage
Jesse - had 7 sons, lived near Bethlehem.  After King Saul lost God's favor, his family was invited to a feast with the priest Samuel (yes the little boy in the temple who heard God calling him).  God told Samuel he would point out the new king.  Jesse left his youngest son David at home with the sheep, but that's the one God wanted.
King David and Uriah's wife - David the same harp playing little boy who defeated the giant Goliath.  Became the next King of Israel.  His best friend was the last king (Saul's) son... put a damper in their friendship when Saul tried to kill him... But an interesting note that Solomon was David's son with Uriah's wife.  Well, David saw Uriah's wife (Bathsheba) bathing on the roof of her home and just had to have her, so he did.  When she became pregnant, David had her husband brought back from war but he wouldn't sleep with her because his men didn't get the privilege either.  Then David had him sent to the front lines where he died, then he took on Bathsheba as another wife.  All to cover up his sin... despite it though he was a great King and musician, he wrote many of the Psalms.  and he had at least 6 other sons (2 Samuel 3:2)... and 11 more including Solomon were born in Jersualem ( 2 Samuel 5:13)
Solomon - became the next King after David, but was not the eldest... actually his older brother held a coronation and everything, but it didn't turn out.  (1 Kings 1) he married the pharaohs daughter and was considered a very wise man.  He ruled Israel and Judah in peace and built The Temple of God in Jerusalem.
*musical reference:  Fiddler on the Roof, If I was a rich man "like Solomon the wise man"

15 (13 if you don't count the women paired with their men) more ancestors explored, 13 more before the Babylonian exile
13 to Mary and Joseph

So much wisdom in these stories that has inspired many for centuries.  Leadership, honor, friendship, commitment, true dedication to God, as well as the mistakes.  Sin.  Failure to put God first.  Greed.  Lust.  Disobedience.  Many lessons to learn we still teach our children today.

It's hard to love God and always put him first, we are often tempted.  Stories like those found connected with these people help us remember and keep God first.  Stories much more than commands perhaps?

In peace and love,
your sister in Christ~Erin

Friendship and Leadership

I LOVE to meet new people.  One of my favorite things about camp is that I get to meet new people all the time.  As you get to know a person it's almost like unwrapping a present.  You don't know what you will find, and you may love it or be very surprised. 

Based on the life and teachings of Jesus, I think he also loved getting to meet lots of people.  I wonder if he struggled at all... getting to know their names, remembering what they like and dislike, listening when they were talking.  Yet the whole Jesus is God connection probably means he knew them before they even knew of him.  I try my best to treat everyone I meet as Jesus would want me to treat them.  Have fun, get to know them honestly, and respect them.  I quickly gain new friends. 

Yet... sometimes in someplaces my leadership and mothering side shows through more.  I will step in to help a friend and end up leading a situation.  Many times I am asked or it is expected.  Not that I mind, I will automatically do what I can to serve others (I'm pretty excited to be a deacon for that is really what they do!)  Yet the servant leadership /friend line can get blurry. 

What would Jesus do?  Would Jesus try to encourage those around him who seemed to need it?  Would he scold them?  Would he lovingly try to fix the little problems or would he just let them be to solve themselves?  Sigh... well - looking back, he often fixed his disciples views on things.  Yet always in a loving, non condescending way.  He seemed to have a better grip on what was truely important. 

So now what?  I am going to remember the lesson I brought with my in the form of a hammock from my last camp.  Relax.  Remember that God is in charge.  Pray for his wisdom to show you what to do and what to leave be. 

In peace with love,
your sister in Christ~Erin