Special Sunday: Native American Ministries

This week we participated in the UMC Special Sunday for Native American Ministries.  You can still make a donation through e-giving or sending a check to Hillsdale UMC.  Remember to note on your donation "Native American Ministries" or "Special Sunday Donation".

Here is just a sample of what you can find at the UMC General Board of Church & Society website on the topic of Native Americans and United Methodism.

FAQ: Native People and United Methodism

Connections on the Hoop: Native people and United Methodism

There are over 18,000 known Native people in The United Methodist Church. The largest group are members within the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, but Native United Methodists and ministries may be found from the tip of Florida to Alaska. Native people serve the church in every capacity: laypersons, seminary professors, district superintendents, conference directors, employees of general boards and agencies, Christian educators, lay missioners and pastors. Native churches have the highest percentage of female pastors in the denomination.

Which is proper: Native American or American Indian? Either is acceptable. In The United Methodist Church we generally use Native American/Alaskan Native in official publications. Most Native people in the lower 48 states still call themselves "Indian". Some prefer to be tribally specific, such as " I am Hidatsa". The term Native American was developed to include American Indians and Alaskan Natives together. In Canada, Native people are called Aboriginal People, or Natives. Currently, the word Native is used to describe the collective indigenous population of North and South America.

Why do we observe Native American Sunday? What makes Native people special? Within the Body of Christ, every person, every culture has unique gifts to refresh the Church. The contributions of Native people, as individuals and groups are not more important than the contributions of other Christians. Native people, however, are among the poorest and most marginalized of society and also the Church. The unfortunate fact is that people without "power” of wealth or social status tend to be overlooked.

There are over 554 federally recognized (those with nation-to-nation status with the U.S. federal government) Native tribes, nations and villages in the United States. This does not include state recognized tribes, or those in the process of recognition with states or the federal government. In addition to these, there are over 500,000 people of primarily Native blood who are ineligible for tribal membership for one reason or another. Add these to the numbers of indigenous people from Central and South America and Canada, and one gains a picture of the complexity of cultures and backgrounds that represent Native people in the United States and The United Methodist Church.

Most tribes still retain unique language, culture, religions, government and a physical tribal home. Some have lost original languages and many customs, but have retained a sense of identity as a people. There is simply no one "Indian" way of thinking, feeling, or worshipping. In order to become aware of Native people, one must be intentional in the process of ministering to them.

Native American Ministries Sunday affords the opportunity of Native and non-Native United Methodists across the denomination to become aware of the lives, gifts and ministries of Native people. Conferences are encouraged to develop ministries for and with the Native people who live within them. It also allows Native people the opportunity to fully participate in the life of the conference. They cannot do that unless we, the Church, know who they are.

Proceeds from Native American Ministries Sunday offerings support Native ministries within conferences, provide educational assistance for Native Americans in the form of scholarships, and assist with the establishment of urban Native ministries.

This article and more can be found at umc-gbcs.org/faith-in-action 

Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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Tax Week

Yesterday was April 15th, "Tax Day", the day we all dutifully submit our tax forms to the state and U.S. government authorities, pay what is due or wait anxiously for a return of what we overpaid.

The website "Got Questions.Org" has this answer for "What does the Bible say about paying taxes?": 

Matthew 22:17-21, the Pharisees asked Jesus a question: "Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought Him a denarius, and He asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then He said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." In full agreement, the Apostle Paul taught, "This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor" (Romans 13:6-7).

Last Sunday, we celebrated Mission Sunday with a Special Sermon & Response with Kate Duggan, Executive Director - Family Promise of Bergen County.  Sermon: Matthew 9:9-13 "Family Promise"

How are these related?  Well, here are two videos from the Brookings Institute* that will help explain the wage gap in the US, how our taxes effect income inequality, and understanding social mobility - the ability of a person born in poverty to succeed in becoming wealthy.

What are your thoughts?  Is it unjust to have such a large wage gap (we didn't see the true gap because of the size of the top 1% yellow lego stack was too large for the viewscreen)?

If a wage gap is expected and just, then is it just that most people born into poverty will remain in poverty?  

Would it be just to have more fluid movement up-and-down the social groupings?

What would Jesus say? People often reference Mark 14:7 "The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me."  Do you believe that Jesus was advocating for a never-ending poverty segment?

I am interested in learning what our congregation thinks about this topic.

Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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* The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations that advance three broad goals: Strengthen American democracy; Foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans and Secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system.

Praying for Time

Headlines from recent news: US/Russian War Games Rekindle; Rebel Fighting In Yemen; Iran Nuclear Deal – No Guarantee; 148 People Gunned Down in Kenya College; Gang Violence Escalates in El Salvador; 21-year old Convicted of the Boston Bombings; Indiana Defends Right to Discriminate Based on Religion; Unarmed Black Man Shot in the Back by White Police Officer; Nationwide Strike to Raise the Minimum Wage to $15; Chestnut Ridge Mother gets 20 Years-Life for Salt-Poisoning Her 5-Year Old Son for Social Media Fame; Bergen County 100-year old Man Axes 89-year old Wife then Commits Suicide; Tornado’s Rip the Midwest; Giant Methane Mass Over the Southwest; Hail/Sleet/Freezing Rain Continue into April in the Northeast…

Someone told me last week that the news was too much for people to take in anymore, and that this blog is too difficult for people to read because the subject of Justice and Mercy in alignment with our Faith is just too painful to contemplate.  And, so, this 1990 song by George Michael (recently covered by Carrie Underwood) has been playing in my mind all week. 

"Praying For Time" by George Michael

These are the days of the open hand
They will not be the last
Look around now
These are the days of the beggars and the choosers

This is the year of the hungry man
Whose place is in the past
Hand in hand with ignorance
And legitimate excuses

The rich declare themselves poor
And most of us are not sure
If we have too much
But we'll take our chances
Because God's stopped keeping score
I guess somewhere along the way
He must have let us all out to play
Turned his back

and all God's children crept out the back door

And it's hard to love, there's so much to hate
Hanging on to hope
When there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it's much too late
Well maybe we should all be praying for time

These are the days of the empty hand
Oh you hold on to what you can
And charity is a coat you wear twice a year

This is the year of the guilty man
Your television takes a stand
And you find that what was over there is over here

So you scream from behind your door
Say "what's mine is mine and not yours
I may have too much but i'll take my chances
Because God's stopped keeping score"
And you cling to the things they sold you
Did you cover your eyes when they told you
That He can't come back
Because He has no children to come back for

It's hard to love there's so much to hate
Hanging on to hope when there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it's much too late
So maybe we should all be praying for time 

https://youtu.be/h8Ua6L-DwVQ

Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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Justice is Personal

Today is Maundy/Holy Thursday.  We celebrate a Christian Passover meal – remembering the First Communion Christ served.  We also remember Jesus’ agony in the garden as he prayed to God, his Father, knowing what the next hours would bring and asking if this “cup of poison could be taken away”.  We follow the scriptures reflecting on the pain of betrayal by his close friend, Judas, and the series of ‘court appearances’ as he is accused and flung from one jurisdiction to another (the temple’s, King Herod’s, and finally the Roman governance).  We know the story well – it’s graphic images make us grimace and we feel genuine sorrow and repentance in awe of Jesus’ great sacrifice for our sins.

Adam Hamilton gave a sermon this past Sunday that focused not just on the triumph of Palm Sunday, but continued through the Holy Week events up to the crucifixion.   During this sermon, he helped me understand that the Gospel accounts of these events are crafted for us to be more personal than we realize.

The 4 Gospels describe in great detail the mockery that Jesus endured by the soldiers, the high priests, Herod, and Pontius Pilate.  But there is no graphic detail about the flogging or the crucifixion itself.  Yet, the movies and the Bible studies often compel us to focus on that physical pain in it’s extremes. 

Why do the Gospels focus on the mockery instead of the greater sacrifice of torture and loss of life?  Because the Gospel authors are reminding us of the emotional pain and humiliation Jesus endured on our behalf.  Here is the triumphant King of the Jews, swept into Jerusalem with HOSANNA’s and palms of happy welcome – suddenly, and cruelly crowned with thorns, slapped with a reed ‘sceptor’, anointed in spit.  His only posessions – his clothes -  are gambled away.   People demanded he proclaim himself as King! while they continue to mock and twist his words.  These soldiers and officials felt it was their ‘right’ to humiliate Jesus.  Some of them were offended by Jesus’ teachings that criticized their world-view or their lifestyles. They knew that they could finally do or say whatever they pleased because they were surrounded by people who felt the same indignation.  Some didn’t even know much about Jesus before this moment but they enjoyed the opportunity to join in – to publicly shame a person, as a group, for a few laughs.  They didn’t care why they were humiliating him – it wasn’t personal – it was fun.

If we focus on this point for a moment, we become acutely aware of Jesus’ emotional pain and we understand it personally.  We’ve all felt humiliation like this at some point – even more than we can imagine the physical suffering of a flogging or crucifixion.  

But more importantly, we have inflicted such pain on others.  Few, if any of us, can honestly say we have not been cruel to another person at one time in our lives.  Visciously scolding a grocery clerk or waitress because we felt it was our ‘right’ as the customer.  Hurtfully berating a person who’s annoyed us or hurt our feelings.  There are the times we were cruel anonymously.  We may not partake in cyber-bullying, but haven’t we all chimed in from time to time during a group discussion condemning a celebrity or a public individual who’s made a foolish blunder?  Recently, Monica Lewinsky gave a TED talk about her experience of being on the receiving end of such intense shaming.  She was 22 when she made the mistake of having an illicit relationship with President Clinton.  She has been called whore, slut and worse, and her life has been ruined because she will forever be identified with that 22-year-old version of herself. But who, among us, hasn’t made a mistake in their early 20’s?  “Public shaming as a blood sport has to stop.” (view her TED talk here http://www.ted.com/talks/monica_lewinsky_the_price_of_shame)  People are dying, committing suicide, because we allow public shaming to endure. 

Sad.  Painful.  Jesus endured all his humiliation and physical pain with dignity and then proclaimed “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  Luke 23:34 KSV 

But now, we know what we are doing.  It’s time for us to accept God’s forgiveness and change our ways. Justice work is personal.  Let’s make a start with a simple prayer that Adam Hamilton noted in his sermon – the song “Show Me Love” by Hundred Waters, which it was featured in the 2015 Super Bowl Coke Commercial:

[Verse 1] Don't let me show cruelty, Though I may make mistakes

Don't let me show ugliness, Though I know I can hate

And don't let me show evil, Though it might be all I take 

[Chorus] Show me love, Show me love, Show me love 

[Verse 2] Don't let me think weakly, Though I know that I can break

Keep me away from apathy, While I am still awake

And don't let me think too long, Of the one I'm bound to face

[Chorus] Show me love, Show me love, Show me love

Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the personal and in the Pascack Valley region.

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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Here's a Suggestion

Last week, I asked the question “What would you do?"

This week, I’m asking you to read this essay on how one UMC church in Washington, D.C. helped their homeless population into a safer place.

“There is a way to keep safe, clean grounds while helping our homeless neighbors — and it’s both easier and harder than installing sprinkler systems or putting up fences. It requires the investment of time and resources to build relationships, listen, and help. The community we formed still gathers at 7 a.m. each Tuesday.”

http://sojo.net/blogs/2015/03/19/how-truly-help-homeless

I do hope you are reading and your hearts are beginning to be warmed to the idea of moving beyond mercy and into the realm of justice.  Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region. 

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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What Would You Do?

An interesting story was posted this week by the UMC.org.  A UMC church in McMinnville, Oregon, has been active in mission to addicts of all types with more than 2 dozen 12-step program meetings a week, along with worship and other activities.  The church offers shelter, coffee and snacks until 10 pm daily.  But people started staying after the doors closed – and began pitching tents.  The church council determined it was part of their mission to not turn these people away, but instead offer them space if they abide by a few rules (no noise, no substance abuse, help with maintaining the grounds).  It has saved some lives.

But now the church is being fined for violating zoning laws – and the community wants the tents to disappear.  I encourage you to read the full article here http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/church-threatened-with-fines-for-taking-in-homeless

... what if this happened in our church, people living in tents on our property, and the town wanted to shut our ministry down ... would you stand with the mission or with the town?

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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Proud to be Stigma-Free

This week I discovered that Hillsdale is a designated Stigma-Free Zone.  Our town council adopted a resolution on December 9, 2014 (click here to read Resolution 14251).  Did you know this?  Do you know the meaning of Stigma-Free Zone?

1 in 4 adults experiences mental illness in a given year, and 1 in 17 adults live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder; and approximately 20% of youth ages 13-18, and 13% of youth ages 8-15 experience severe mental disorders in a given year.  Stigma-Free Zones aim to inspire public interest and open dialogue about stigma – to create a culture wherein people with mental illness are supported by their community.

So … did you know Hillsdale is a Stigma-Free Zone?  If not, how can we help raise the awareness of the tragic effects of stigma of mental illness (or any other stigma-inducing human experience)?

Our church has been a welcoming church for people of difference – especially with our Drum Circle and support of the Special Olympics.  We do this as disciples of Christ.  We do this because this is our family.  Can we help the rest of Hillsdale do the same?  Should we?

I’d like to hear your thoughts.  Enclosed is the Stigma-Free Toolkit created by/for Bergen County.  Let me know if you are inspired to do more. 

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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The Lord's Prayer ... It Matters

This week, rather than write my thoughts, I felt it is important for you to read Jarrod McKenna's 03/04/15 post on Sojourner "Lent: Why the Lord’s Prayer Matters" and view the accompanying video - it is about justice, it is about this month's sermon series "Prayer".

“This prayer isn’t just an ethereal prayer — this prayer is a tangible prayer.”

“It’s why the poor matters. It’s why the stranger matters. It’s why the environment matters. It’s why our neighbor matters. It’s why the Gospel matters. It’s why the church matters. Because it’s about His will on earth like it is in Heaven. It’s why prayer matters.”

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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we are sombody ...

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

 “Life isn’t fair!”  “There are too many issues to face – what do you want us to do?”  “These people here do not know what real poverty is!  Go outside the USA and experience real poverty!  I have no interest in helping people who are already wealthy and can help themselves.”  “Even Jesus said, the poor will always be with us. Remember Matthew 26:11”

Life isn’t fair – but doesn’t God ask us to trust in Him and in His plan, while being compassionate to others?

There are too many issues to face – but why not work to solve one of the problems locally?

I don't know what I want you to do.  I cannot offer you a perfectly crafted plan to resolve a specific issue - but don’t you want to decide which issue is most in need from your perspective?  We are a very well-educated and reasonable congregation – can we not work together to decide on the issue to solve, and develop a plan to resolve?

It is true, this area is wealthy by world standards, and most of our neighbors have not faced real poverty – but don’t all God’s people deserve compassion?  

And, if we can raise these people up to God’s level of compassion through our own acts of compassion, perhaps, we will set the fires of compassion blazing so fierce, that it will spread beyond the Pascack Valley toward those suffering in real poverty.

And finally, yes, there will always be people less fortunate.  “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”  Deuteronomy 15:11    There will always be the mentally ill; a sudden tragedy that leaves a family homeless; a veteran with PTSD;  the elderly who have outlived their family and their savings.  There will always be other countries suffering from disease, war, brutality, and greed.  But this should not stop us from making, even a small change, locally!

Why not create a community where those capable of earning a productive living can, and even more, are fully welcomed in our society?  In turn, having experienced compassion, would they not become compassionate themselves to others? 

Why not create a place where women earn a lifetime of equal wages so they can support their families and themselves?  Where immigrants can become citizens and earn an education and build businesses that create jobs.  Where all people, including lesbians and gay men, can marry in love and share in the benefits of family and societal support. Where the elderly live in comfort, are listened to, revered for their experiences, and we learn from them while we support them.  Where we find new ways to understand the mentally ill and benefit from their unique perspectives.  Where we bring a moment of peace to those suffering with PTSD, as well as a safe place to remember and overcome their pain. 

Why not be compassionate to all – and through our compassion, maximize the numbers of people to be productive and inventive in our society?  Then the needs of the truly less fortunate – “the always poor” of whom Jesus refers - will not only be fulfilled by all of us – but will be raised up.  And all our lives will be better.  All of us will feel less overwhelmed.  All of us will find the joy of giving and receiving compassion.

This week, I encourage you to read this Sojourner blog post about transforming how we look at those suffering around the globe – people we call victims – and how art and humor are shifting our beliefs in what is needed to change the world.

And watch this PBS NewsHour video about an artist who took up the challenge of a young student - “if you're an artist, why can’t you create a solution?”

Be not discouraged – look for inspiration, for it is all around us.  Talk to me.  Help me understand what is needed to begin to realize God’s compassionate kingdom on earth.  Help me help us become a church of action, while honoring us as a church of mercy and loving support.

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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we are stardust ...

Last week, I wrote about how participating in acts of mercy can lead to a craving for Social Justice.  So, to put my words into action, my husband and I joined a team from Family Promise and served the Walk-In Dinner Program at the Housing, Health and Human Services Center, 120 South River Street, Hackensack.  It was Shrove Tuesday, otherwise known as Mardi Gras, and it was a wonderful moment of grace for us.  We served fried chicken, a variety of salads, rolls, cake, iced tea and coffee to over 100 people - each seeking a hot meal on a cold night.  

Family Promise has been committed to feeding the hungry since 1991.   Every day of the year, a different group is scheduled to prepare and serve dinner at the Health and Human Services Center in Hackensack.  Up to 150 people are served a nutritious meal each night.  Many of the guests utilizing the program are residents of the shelter.  However, the program is open to anyone in the community, no questions asked.  

People came from all walks of life, in all manners of dress from business-interview attire to casual jeans.  There were families, singles, and couples.  All were gracious and I could not help but be filled with joy because I was lucky enough to be serving macaroni salad in abundance!  (I have a hard time saying "no", so I could not work the cake station because we only had one slice of cake per person.)  Our two hours of service flew by, and Mike and I left the center filled with more joy than any Mardi Gras cocktail could bring.

I strongly urge you to consider volunteering to serve at the Walk-In Dinner Program, and witnessing this moment of neighbors loving neighbors yourself.  You can learn more about this program and how to volunteer by contacting Family Promise Volunteer Director, Margo Heller, at 201 833-8009 or visiting bergenfamilypromise.org

The day after our service was Ash Wednesday, and in contemplating the traditional Ash Wednesday rituals in light of my experience the night before, I was moved to write the following on my personal Facebook page:  

"remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return" - these powerful words, spoken on Ash Wednesday, remind me that we are all carbon - we are all made of stardust - we are all God's children - and we are all one together created from the One.  The older I get, the more I study, the more profound these simple truths become for me.  May you find blessings in the coming weeks, whatever holiday or seasons you celebrate.

In Christ's Peace, Lisa

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