SO I have never considered myself much of an institution person and as you can see from my reflections on GA, I am a bit ambivalent about it still but there are things about the institution of the PC(USA) that I love and as I become more familiar with them, I have become very excited about.
One of those things is the Book of Confessions. It is a collection of documents from the past half millenium that have formed the church's self-understanding. In other words, it says what the church is, believes and intends to do. In the 20th century, two documents were added. One was the Barmen Declaration which was written by the Confessing Church in Hitler's Germany to say why they would not sanction the Nazi regime. The other is the Confession of 1967 which is one of the reasons I am Presbyterian. It is a beautiful statement of the centrality of reconciliation to the Christian faith.
While I was at GA, they passed a resolution to continue study of the Belhar Confession. You can read about its history here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belhar_Confession. I am hoping to be on the committee that continues this study and this morning I wrote my request to our oh so distinguished moderator, Bruce Reyes- Chow. I thought I'd share it here:
Request to be considered for the committee on the Belhar Confession
Jennifer Warner
Reconciliation is the heart of the gospel. The Confession of 1967 articulates that it is also at the heart of the PC(USA). In line with this firmly held conviction, the Belhar Confession stands as a statement made from on-the-ground struggle for reconciliation. It takes the belief in reconciliation from the halls and pages of academia and church structure and makes reconciliation concrete, immediate and urgent.
Considering Belhar for inclusion in the Book of Confessions is significant on several levels. First, if accepted, it would be the first document written and set in the Global South, providing a significant post-colonial voice and directing the church’s action in a world that is increasingly globalized and in a global church whose locus is shifting southward. Second, it makes a significant ecumenical statement by stating solidarity and unity with the larger Reformed global community where it works for justice and unity. Third, Belhar tells a story. The story contained in Belhar and the stories of racism and discrimination that it will draw out have the power to change individual and communal beliefs and engage the church in concrete and intentional actions of reconciliation. These actions are as important in the U.S. as they are in South Africa in our international, national and local actions and self-understanding.
Because of this, I would be honored to serve on the committee considering the inclusion of The Belhar Confession in the Book of Confessions. In the committee, I would bring gifts of theological study, writing and clear communication to the committee. I have studied and worked in diverse cross-cultural and theological settings, and continue to keep a foot in both academic and church settings. I have been involved with the emergent church movement for over six years, which has a strong commitment to global and postcolonial voices. I have studied the PC(USA) and Reformed Church of America study guides to Belhar and plan to lead a group of churches through the study of the Belhar this coming year. As part of a polity course, I sat in the discussion on committee at the 218th General Assembly where Belhar was discussed and became familiar with some of the issues involved in adopting Belhar. Lastly, I bring a deep passion for reconciliation and believe that it must continue to penetrate the church in body, spirit, soul and mind.
Pray for the decisions made regarding this committee and all of the committees. While it can all feel very political and bureaucratic, there is some significant and important work to be done that has huge potential for the action of the church in the world.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Breakfast at Grandma G's
I have had many breakfasts at my Grandpa and Grandma Goehring's house but this morning was the first one in a long time and because I don't get to do it very often, it was poignant. Being there overnight reminded me of all the memories of being a kid... talking underneath the pillow with Julie so our parents couldn't hear, Grandma being conscientious about the temperature of our room and what window to open to get the breeze, watching the news before bedtime, the night light on in the bathroom. Actually, hardly any of these things happened last night. But I remembered them and could feel the cool Lodi evening breeze and see the Sacramento 11 o'clock news even though all the windows were shut tight and everyone went straight to bed after fireworks.
My kids were the first ones up this morning and I was shushing them just like my parents shushed me. As usual, Grandpa wasn't around... but instead of the smell of coffee lingering from his early morning pot before he went out to check on the school that he watched over, he was in bed–the last to get up and not the one to make the coffee.
Breakfast was almost the same... eggs cooked in bacon grease, white Wonder bread toast with butter and strawberry freezer jam (the best taste in the world), and a selection of Svenhard's pastries. Grandma with her International Coffee. Afterwards, the storebought cookies came out. This is food I would scorn on any other day in my Bay Area snobbish foodie world but today it was heaven. I watched my girls down their runny eggs soaked in bacon grease and I couldn't have been happier if they were eating spring greens with a light balsamic vinaigrette and goat cheese on toast.
I love change, travel, big cities, new experiences and culture. I shop at farmers markets, buy organic produce almost exclusively and prefer grass-fed beef over corn-fed. I hardly ever eat off paper plates, recycle every slip of paper and feel guilty about not composting (or at least not yet). I drive a tiny car with two kids in the suburbs. I am enthusiastically voting for Obama. I have done most of my theological studies at one of the most progressive seminaries in the country.
But this morning I was reminded that I am not all that.
I am struggling to describe the conflict in me b/t what I carry as an American raised in the American immigrant's dream in the late 20th century and what I hold as an ecologically conscious progressive type person in the early 21st century. I believe that the future requires we let go of a lot of that dream or at least its baggage but some of that baggage is precious to me. It is not the problem of just the clueless people in middle America. It is mine and my family's. I absolutely adore my Great Aunt who thinks Obama is the anti-Christ. How do I reconcile that?
For today, I am reminded that there are things that we cannot let go of in our future journey. The open heart and warm hospitality of our past must come with us. The connection to the earth should be deepened by our environmental politics not cheapened. We still need to know our neighbors and invite them over for dinner. Extended families need to sit out on the porch and watch the youngest members grow. My kids probably won't be eating Wonder bread and strawberry freezer jam in 30 years but I hope I haven't lost the heart of the ones who put it on the table.
My kids were the first ones up this morning and I was shushing them just like my parents shushed me. As usual, Grandpa wasn't around... but instead of the smell of coffee lingering from his early morning pot before he went out to check on the school that he watched over, he was in bed–the last to get up and not the one to make the coffee.
Breakfast was almost the same... eggs cooked in bacon grease, white Wonder bread toast with butter and strawberry freezer jam (the best taste in the world), and a selection of Svenhard's pastries. Grandma with her International Coffee. Afterwards, the storebought cookies came out. This is food I would scorn on any other day in my Bay Area snobbish foodie world but today it was heaven. I watched my girls down their runny eggs soaked in bacon grease and I couldn't have been happier if they were eating spring greens with a light balsamic vinaigrette and goat cheese on toast.
I love change, travel, big cities, new experiences and culture. I shop at farmers markets, buy organic produce almost exclusively and prefer grass-fed beef over corn-fed. I hardly ever eat off paper plates, recycle every slip of paper and feel guilty about not composting (or at least not yet). I drive a tiny car with two kids in the suburbs. I am enthusiastically voting for Obama. I have done most of my theological studies at one of the most progressive seminaries in the country.
But this morning I was reminded that I am not all that.
I am struggling to describe the conflict in me b/t what I carry as an American raised in the American immigrant's dream in the late 20th century and what I hold as an ecologically conscious progressive type person in the early 21st century. I believe that the future requires we let go of a lot of that dream or at least its baggage but some of that baggage is precious to me. It is not the problem of just the clueless people in middle America. It is mine and my family's. I absolutely adore my Great Aunt who thinks Obama is the anti-Christ. How do I reconcile that?
For today, I am reminded that there are things that we cannot let go of in our future journey. The open heart and warm hospitality of our past must come with us. The connection to the earth should be deepened by our environmental politics not cheapened. We still need to know our neighbors and invite them over for dinner. Extended families need to sit out on the porch and watch the youngest members grow. My kids probably won't be eating Wonder bread and strawberry freezer jam in 30 years but I hope I haven't lost the heart of the ones who put it on the table.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
the 1st of july
So it is now illegal to talk on your cellphone with it up to your ear in California. So far... no transgressions and I'm thankful for my Jawbone.
I had dinner with Rachel tonight. She leave tomorrow morning for her internship in Corvallis, OR. It just seems so hard to believe that all of us are going off to actually work and somewhat be pastors, chaplains, etc. Already, I have 5 Sundays to preach before the end of the year. Someday that won't be a big deal but right now I face them with excitement and a bit of terror as well.
What qualifies someone to be ready to do this kind of stuff? We've passed all our classes but who says we are now ready to get up and talk and lead???
I have to admit I'm ambivalent about it all. I think I'm caught b/t a few things. On one hand, I think really anyone can do this. Educated or not, we all have the capacity to give to another and whether it's on a large scale or small, anyone and everyone should be able to do this. ON the other hand, I've seen a lot of immaturity in my fellow seminarians and am well acquainted with it in myself. Do we really trust the church to people such as ourselves? But who else would do it? Someone that is circumspect, boring and super-human???? That is a problem in and of itself.
The good Reformed answer.... we trust the grace of God. Easily said and hard to do.
God be with all of us as we head out. May we see the fruit of all our study and may the new work produce good fruit in us... leading us deeper into the image of Christ.
I had dinner with Rachel tonight. She leave tomorrow morning for her internship in Corvallis, OR. It just seems so hard to believe that all of us are going off to actually work and somewhat be pastors, chaplains, etc. Already, I have 5 Sundays to preach before the end of the year. Someday that won't be a big deal but right now I face them with excitement and a bit of terror as well.
What qualifies someone to be ready to do this kind of stuff? We've passed all our classes but who says we are now ready to get up and talk and lead???
I have to admit I'm ambivalent about it all. I think I'm caught b/t a few things. On one hand, I think really anyone can do this. Educated or not, we all have the capacity to give to another and whether it's on a large scale or small, anyone and everyone should be able to do this. ON the other hand, I've seen a lot of immaturity in my fellow seminarians and am well acquainted with it in myself. Do we really trust the church to people such as ourselves? But who else would do it? Someone that is circumspect, boring and super-human???? That is a problem in and of itself.
The good Reformed answer.... we trust the grace of God. Easily said and hard to do.
God be with all of us as we head out. May we see the fruit of all our study and may the new work produce good fruit in us... leading us deeper into the image of Christ.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
the end of June
I have been waiting for tonight to come... for the end of all of June's activities... to be able to SLEEP in my own bed, BE with my girls and not have to GO anywhere for a whole month.
But I find myself feeling sad and let down tonight. This month was filled with activities, people and places that I have looked forward to for SO long... interviewing and becoming a candidate for ordination in the PCUSA, NYC, Princeton, great theological conversation, learning to knit in Central Park from Rachel, the end of Audra's school year, General Assembly, being with my friends from seminary for the last time before we all head off to internships, meeting new people at GA, learning SO much about being Presbyterian, staying in a hotel all by myself for 4 days, Krista and Tim's wedding, watching the girls as flower girl and ringbearer, and lastly having a day long visit with the Websters. What a lot of events for one month. I am in DESPERATE need of rest but also am sad June is passing.
Thank you Sustainer of Life for pulling all of us through this month... for caring for the girls in my absence, for opening new doors of interest and possibility, for the gift of so many amazing friends (new and old). Give me the courage to rest, trusting what's ahead to you and to be faithful in my rest to your calling.
But I find myself feeling sad and let down tonight. This month was filled with activities, people and places that I have looked forward to for SO long... interviewing and becoming a candidate for ordination in the PCUSA, NYC, Princeton, great theological conversation, learning to knit in Central Park from Rachel, the end of Audra's school year, General Assembly, being with my friends from seminary for the last time before we all head off to internships, meeting new people at GA, learning SO much about being Presbyterian, staying in a hotel all by myself for 4 days, Krista and Tim's wedding, watching the girls as flower girl and ringbearer, and lastly having a day long visit with the Websters. What a lot of events for one month. I am in DESPERATE need of rest but also am sad June is passing.
Thank you Sustainer of Life for pulling all of us through this month... for caring for the girls in my absence, for opening new doors of interest and possibility, for the gift of so many amazing friends (new and old). Give me the courage to rest, trusting what's ahead to you and to be faithful in my rest to your calling.
I now pronounce you husband and wife...
Yesterday I had the honor of conducting my first wedding for one of my dearest friends, Krista.
It was a wonderful day... casual but elegant and it felt like one big family gathered around to celebrate Krista and Tim. Co-officiating the ceremony with Lorca was really fun and all the more so because everything was very real and down-to-earth... no pretense, just joy and celebration at the joining of these two amazing people.
I now wish I had gotten married under a chuppah and with less pomp and circumstance. I guess that's part of the benefit of getting married later... those things don't matter anymore. :) It was a truly sacred space and it was so fun to see how completely engaged Krista and Tim were in the whole day.
I'll post pictures later...
It was a wonderful day... casual but elegant and it felt like one big family gathered around to celebrate Krista and Tim. Co-officiating the ceremony with Lorca was really fun and all the more so because everything was very real and down-to-earth... no pretense, just joy and celebration at the joining of these two amazing people.
I now wish I had gotten married under a chuppah and with less pomp and circumstance. I guess that's part of the benefit of getting married later... those things don't matter anymore. :) It was a truly sacred space and it was so fun to see how completely engaged Krista and Tim were in the whole day.
I'll post pictures later...
day #7 (fri)
Friday morning was interesting. The Assembly voted to remove the clause from ordination that requires candidates to be either chaste or married to someone of the opposite sex. This obviously clears a major hurdle towards the full inclusion of gays and lesbians into ordination in the PCUSA.
I think some people in our class were faster to grasp the significance of the decision than I was. I was wrapped up in what was ahead and getting out of there in time to get to Krista's wedding. But as I watched people's faces and listened to their reactions, I realized how deeply split the church this is. What might be a victory to some was a major defeat to others. Some faces were tense, many eyes shed tears. As I walked away, I realized that no matter what the decision, there is no real victory for anyone because some will leave. It is not that I don't think a decision had to be made... these things have to be dealt with and the church must decide after years of policies that are being questioned. It is just sad to see good, honest, God-seeking people be so divided.
Being at the 218th General Assembly was QUITE an experience and an education and it was also a great honor. I am excited about the many possibilities ahead but I left with deep sadness for the division and struggle the church will go through in the coming weeks and months.
I think some people in our class were faster to grasp the significance of the decision than I was. I was wrapped up in what was ahead and getting out of there in time to get to Krista's wedding. But as I watched people's faces and listened to their reactions, I realized how deeply split the church this is. What might be a victory to some was a major defeat to others. Some faces were tense, many eyes shed tears. As I walked away, I realized that no matter what the decision, there is no real victory for anyone because some will leave. It is not that I don't think a decision had to be made... these things have to be dealt with and the church must decide after years of policies that are being questioned. It is just sad to see good, honest, God-seeking people be so divided.
Being at the 218th General Assembly was QUITE an experience and an education and it was also a great honor. I am excited about the many possibilities ahead but I left with deep sadness for the division and struggle the church will go through in the coming weeks and months.
Friday, June 27, 2008
day #6 (thurs)
The motion to study the Heidelberg passed!!! It was the same sort of debate heard in the committee but with new voices... an expert in French translation who spoke to the atrocity of adding personal opinion into translation, young adults who insisted that the confessional documents be as free from scribal error as possible.
I am wrestling with my own bias. Because I want the Heidelberg changes to pass, it is easy to see each person who speaks in favor as fairly reasoned and each person who speaks against as irrational ideologues who can't see it for what it it. Of course, it goes the opposite way from the other side as well. Again, I am reminded that I must still listen even when I don't want to or I'm sure of what I think... to be ready to embrace even when it means opening myself to something I don't like.
Our class is having a hard time keeping still. We are all deeply vested in these issues and are talking, engaging and sitting on the edges of our seats as votes come up on the floor. We keep getting in trouble by other observers, our professors, etc. :) Oh well... it is fun to care what happens especially for someone like me who could've cared less a week ago.
I continue to be moved by the vision of the Belhar and have some ideas to study it next year... it would be especially exciting to bring in some different racial/ethnic groups to study with us at the church. Or maybe a larger Presbytery study? I am drawn in by the confessions in a way I never thought possible (yet again) and excited about the possibilities that they can have on our churches, our lives and our world.
I am wrestling with my own bias. Because I want the Heidelberg changes to pass, it is easy to see each person who speaks in favor as fairly reasoned and each person who speaks against as irrational ideologues who can't see it for what it it. Of course, it goes the opposite way from the other side as well. Again, I am reminded that I must still listen even when I don't want to or I'm sure of what I think... to be ready to embrace even when it means opening myself to something I don't like.
Our class is having a hard time keeping still. We are all deeply vested in these issues and are talking, engaging and sitting on the edges of our seats as votes come up on the floor. We keep getting in trouble by other observers, our professors, etc. :) Oh well... it is fun to care what happens especially for someone like me who could've cared less a week ago.
I continue to be moved by the vision of the Belhar and have some ideas to study it next year... it would be especially exciting to bring in some different racial/ethnic groups to study with us at the church. Or maybe a larger Presbytery study? I am drawn in by the confessions in a way I never thought possible (yet again) and excited about the possibilities that they can have on our churches, our lives and our world.
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