Trek Reunion

Anyone going? I'll be there and in much need of some "renewing the vision!"

Gotta Love the Brits

Here's a cool site I found this past summer when searching for random stuff.

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/

Since I didn't want it just to be a tiny little post I decided to copy the Values section of their website which can be seen below. Happy reading!

Ekklesia is an independent public policy think-tank seeking to examine the role of religion in a creatively critical way. It is rooted in the Christian tradition, but not tied to any one denomination or major church body.

Through its commitment to an honest dialogue about faith and politics, Ekklesia is positive about finding communicative ground with people of other convictions (religious or otherwise), while simultaneously advocating its own distinctive outlook.

In the media Ekklesia has been variously described as ‘liberal’, ‘evangelical’, ‘catholic’, ‘protestant’, ‘left-wing’, 'traditional', 'progressive', and more. This is perhaps the best illustration that the stance it adopts does not fit conventional categories, trying instead to challenge received labels.

Ekklesia’s approach to issues of religion in the public sphere is primarily shaped by a strong theological and political critique of ‘Christendom’ – the historic collusion of institutional churches with governing authority and vice versa.

Instead, through research, publishing and commentary, Ekklesia seeks to reinvigorate a different understanding of the church as an alternative-generating ‘contrast society’ within the wider civic order: one that is politically aware, spiritually refreshing and radical in its commitment, rather than seeking domination over others.

The Greek word ekklesia denotes a people's assembly within the public square. It is also a key New Testament term for ‘church’, reminding Christians of the inescapably political nature of their existence - and summoning them as followers of Jesus Christ to a fresh form of social life based on mutuality rather than self-aggrandizement.

While remaining committed to a positive exchange between mainstream traditions (Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, Pentecostal and indigenous), Ekklesia naturally draws much of its specific inspiration from the dissenting strands within Christianity, not least the ‘historic peace churches’ (Quakers, Mennonites and other Anabaptists), some liberation theologies and non-conformism.

Ekklesia is therefore ‘radical’ in its conviction that the Gospel subverts power and privilege, both personally and corporately. And it is ‘progressive’ in the sense that it sees change coming through risk-taking hopefulness, not through a destructive lust for security and certainty.

In proposing a renewal of religious-political discourse along these lines, Ekklesia is especially concerned to develop the public significance of concrete practices like reconciliation, non-violence, economic sharing, hospitality (welcome and inclusion), restorative justice, social equality, forgiveness, neighbourly freedom, the community of women and men, environmental sustainability, and global solidarity with all those pushed to the margins.

From Ekklesia’s perspective, the resources needed to signal hope in a fearful world demand far more than has traditionally been imagined by self-styled ‘liberals’ or ‘conservatives’ in the various religious and humanist/secularist traditions.

Life in all its fullness (such as the Gospel proposes) cannot be achieved by the social and natural sciences, technological advance, economic development, autonomous reason and political operation alone - it requires a major change of heart and mind in the basic way we relate to each other, the world and God.

From our perspective, engagement in public life is therefore also an invitation to think in a theologically transformative way – that is, to recover the hidden wisdom of the Gospel for a post-Christendom world, so that we can begin to see 'the other' as a gift rather than a threat.

That implies more than just 'the separation of church and state'. It urges a radical reformation in the social role of religion - away from the desire to dominate, and towards costly witness and partnership.

Bearing these practice-based values in mind, Ekklesia's work is currently being developed within and across twelve policy areas:

• Religion and society
• Community and family
• Life and death
• Crime and justice
• Ecology and environment
• Race and identity
• Peace and war
• Sex and gender
• Economy and politics
• Education and culture
• People and power
• Globalisation and development

See also our detailed FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

365 days ("ish") later...

Its been a year since the Trek! How's everyone doing? And where are you all at?

I finally finished unpacking and straightening my room today from the end of the school year. I was amazed by the number of Trek items that I use in my room... Four paintings, 3 books, 2 journals, an embroidered cloth, a poster of comments/encouragements from the Trek team, and a few other random objects.

I miss Mexico and I still remember my family and the still persistent and pressing questions of faith, justice, and calling that God posed to me last summer. I still claim witness to the beauty and power of His work that I saw that summer in the most unlikely of places. And I still miss you all and wish we'd had a longer time together.

I'm going on staff with InterVarsity next year as an intern at THE Ohio State University. Its at least a one year commitment, so as challenging and joyful doing college ministry is for me, I'm still pushing myself to ask the question: "what next?". A longer term commitment with InterVarsity or will I go overseas...Servant partners or something similar... (The brother of one of my best friends here in c-bus just picked up Kevin Blue's job. How random is that?)...Grad school...Vet school...I'm still waiting on the Lord.

(Its tempting to just settle where you are and stop asking questions because you're desperate to have final, concrete answers in your hand.)

I was in SanFran earlier this year at an InterVarsity conference and I really amazing divinely-engineered conversation with a staff from Mass. who had gone on a Trek during her undergrad years. Won't say too much, but it was incredibly encouraging and affirming. She's finishing up her three years on staff this year but still has her ears and heart open to hearing where God is calling her because she knows that God is saying something about serving the poor and her future. I want that and wonder if I'll also still be asking "what next?" three years from now...

Isn't it amazing that we have a God who cares about the poor and who has compassion for the weak? Doesn't it totally rock that our God is all about the work of reconciliation and justice? When I think about the kind of God we have, my heart just fills up with love and pride....blessed is the name of the Lord!

Its been a year since the Trek. What have you been doing?




PS. Let me know if you want on my prayer letter list.

Bill Gates and Creative Capitalism

"Bill Gates graduated from Harvard," my mom told me the other day. "Who cares," is what I first thought. I assumed it was just another article publicizing the lives of famous people. But then she read me some of the quotes that were printed in the article. I found it pretty interesting and thought "Wow, that is pretty cool."

In TIME Magazine, these were the quotes pulled out from Bill Gates graduation speech from Harvard:

ON HIS TIME AT THE COLLEGE
" I do have one big regret. I left Harvard with no real awareness of the awful inequities in the world-- the appalling disparities of health and wealth and opportunity that condemn millions to lives of despair."

ON POVERTY AND ECONOMY
"We can make market forces work better for the poor if we can develop a more creative capitalism-- if we can stretch the reach of market forces so that more people can profit...serving people who are suffering..."

ON FINALLY GRADUATING
"I've been waiting more than 30 years to say this: Dad, I always told you I'd come back and get my degree."

The article certainly gave me a lot more respect for Bill Gates. And it also made me wonder: Can capitalism be restructured in a way to help the people who usually get trampled by it?

You can find the full article here: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1630188,00.html

Mexico City beaches make rich laugh, poor flock

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AP) -- Commentators chuckle that urban sunbathers will choke on bus fumes. A television skit shows a plump man in a bathing suit stumbling around gridlocked cars.

The Mexico City mayor's plan to build four beaches in this smoggy mountain capital has been lampooned as a joke and a waste of money by Mexico's rich, who spend their vacations at real beachside resorts.

But the leftist mayor's supporters welcome the sand as a city getaway for millions of poor capitalinos who have never seen a beach in their lives.

The jokes reflect Mexico's sharp class divisions. Wealthy Mexicans pack the world-famous beach resorts of Cancun and Acapulco during the country's two-week Easter holiday, when Mexico City is traditionally its hottest. But millions earn the minimum wage of $4 (€3) a day and can never afford a holiday.

read (more)

I'm cold.

"Major storm thrashes eastern half of country" (weather.com)

You would NOT believe how ridiculous the weather is here. It's so ridiculous, it merits a post. "Wintry mix" is what the weather channels call it when snow, freezing rain, hail, and sleet fall concurrently from the sky. Candice, I hope you're doing as well as I am.


I'm going to CA in 3 weeks!

Psalm 37

Since the trek, Psalm 37 has been affirmed in my memory and I have returned to it many times. All of it is worth reading and questioning and applying. There is plenty more good stuff, but just wanted to share some things that stood out to me:

1 Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
...
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
...
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

TRUST...DO NOT FRET...COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD...
DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEAR

Some reflection:
Since Urbana, I continue to let myself be overwhelmed by Jesus... sometimes the significance of the sacrifice He made, the salvation He gives, waxes and wanes, but I am grateful for the fresh reminder of how amazing He really is... salvation and justice and hope he brings to the each of us in itself is incredible, but when I catch a glimpse of the salvation and justice and hope he brings globally... that.... is truly indescribable. Even if He did nothing else (which he still does) that in itself makes Him worthy of our praise, our lives.

TRUST...DO NOT FRET...COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD...
DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART
I continue to struggle with and pray for all these things. I continue to seek what each of these things means for me specifically; right now and looking into the future. I pray that for all of you as well.

Could -Lincoln Heights- Be Redeeming Media?

A few of us have been on the lookout for redeeming media. Well, I just watched the pilot episode of Lincoln Heights from ABC Family (if you act now, you can download it free on from iTunes) and it looks like it could be pretty good. Already there is some appetizing “return flight” for those of us interested in reneighboring. Unfortunately, the show so far leaves race at black and white. But being in San Francisco, I guess they have some room to develop their cast of characters. (Compare, Sucka Free City.) Oh, yeah. Sorry, Alice, it’s not Lincoln Heights, Ohio!

Anyone else seen it or know more?

So Nice Hearing From You!

It was great talking to a few of you -- and hearing others' voices -- the other night. Hope your Urbana went really well. I'll be watching it online :)



From No-Manches.com.

Fair Trade

So in the process of doing research about Colombia for a paper I came across this website. I don't know how many of you knew about this already, but you can search for companies in your area that use Fair Trade Certified products (major cities work best). It's a pretty darn easy way to find someplace to shop where you can be sure they are thinking globally.

Hope you're all having fun shopping for Christmas :-). I know I'm having a pretty difficult time trying to figure out what to buy/make/do for people.