um, let me rephrase that

So I really don't think that church people suck. Church institutions? Sometimes. And church systems? Yes. But church people? No. Church people are people. They can be mean and self-serving and inconsiderate. But for the most part, church people, like all people, are kind, compassionate, caring, honest, and sincere. This week, my church folk friends have loved on me, encouraged me, told me that I am not a failure, and shared in happiness over my future.

I was dreading coming to General Assembly this year, and this dread was a new feeling since I usually love this time of reconnecting with colleagues and friends. But this year, aside from the fact that I am overwhelmed and stressed beyond measure abut the upcoming move (15 days!), I was feeling like a quitter, like I have failed the church by leaving Wind of Peace Church and following my love away from Chicago. I was expecting judgment, perhaps the same judgment I was placing upon myself, from my friends. But it never came. Instead, I have been greeted by big congratulatory hugs and squeals of delight as friends celebrate my upcoming union, and I have also been bombarded with eager questions about what my future with Craig holds for us.

And last night, as the the new church planters and pastors walked onto the assembly stage, my eyes welled with tears as I was not among these colleagues. I feel such grief in releasing the ministry of Wind of Peace. But what comfort I took in the arms and words of of the friend, who embraced me and whispered, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

No, church people don't suck. Church people are people. And I feel blessed to have so many good and kind people in my life.

Church People Suck

I have been out of touch in the blogosphere lately, attending the General Assembly of my denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I haven't had regular internet access (wifi ain't free at our hotel), and honestly, I have been too busy catching up with friends and colleagues from all over the country. I enjoy General Assembly. I love the fellowship. And the worship is usually inspiring. And the workshops very often challenge me and empower me to go about making a difference in the world. And for the most part, I enjoy the business sessions, where we as a church hold ourselves accountable and discern our public witness in the world.

But today, I am angry. We have a business item before the assembly, calling for our Church to finally take a public stand on the war in Iraq. It's about four years too late. It's thousands of lives too late. And honestly, in my opinion, it's a pretty weak statement. But you know what the assembly did? They voted to send it back to committee to water it down even more!!! Because we have some disagreement. And you know, as much as I love our polity, sometimes, our desire for "unity" hinders our prophetic witness. We want to create a benign document with which everyone agrees, and we end up creating a statement that is meaningless mush and makes nobody happy. We are so concerned with protecting our precious church unity, that we fail to be a credible voice calling for peace and justice in our world.

I have said it before and I'll say it again: the church needs to get out of this self-preservation mode and once again become a movement working for peace and healing in our world. Otherwise, we should just stop calling ourselves "Disciples of Christ". If we are truly to be followers of the one we call the Prince of Peace, then we need to actually start following. Otherwise, we won't be disciples, just church people. And church people suck.

Legislate Against Hate

Within the next 24 hours, the US Senate is scheduled to vote on an important hate crimes prevention act (S. 1105, Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act of 2007 - LLEHCPA). This legislation, already passed by the House of Representatives will, for the first time, allow for the federal prosecution of certain hate crimes based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability. And the LLEHCPA will also provide local police and sheriff's departments with vital federal resources to address hate crimes on a larger, more inclusive scale.

Hate is not a family value. Hate is not a moral value. Hate is not a faith value (at least not my faith). And moreover, hate is not a democratic value, and thus should not be tolerated in our democratic society.

Now contrary to what folks are saying, this legislation does NOT criminalize speech, nor does it limit religious freedom. People can still think their unfortunate bigotted thoughts and even express them. Narrow-minded preachers can still spout their bad theology of exclusion and intolerance (though I hope and pray they will come to see how destructive such thoughts are, not only on society, but on their very souls). However, hate-filled people will not be allowed to attack another human being, to commit a crime against another human being just because of who they are - their gender, their race, their sexual orientation, their religious identity. And this legislation protects people from being the victim of violence perpetrated by those who hate. I believe that every human being is endowed with dignity and worth. And crimes motivated by hate cannot and should not be tolerated in our world.

Two months ago, I was at a rally in Denver, Colorado when LLEHCPA passed in the U.S. House of Represenatives. On that day, my boss, the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, delivered this speech:

We have passed the House. Now I urge you, readers, to please contact your senators and tell them to enact the hate crimes bill today!

buzz kill

I have cut back on my drug of choice. This past weekend, I went cold turkey from caffeine. My headache was tremendous, and nothing I took could get rid of it. Then after 48 hours of excruciating, throbbing pain, I awoke this morning feeling just fine.

Still, with a big, important meeting today, I did succumb to a half mug (yes, I know that a half mug for me is a regular mug for the rest of you). But I am definitely decreasing my caffeine intake. Sleep is a good thing. And I haven't been getting much lately.

otherwise engaged

He asked me. I asked him. We both said, "Yes" or "Whatever". Rings were exchanged.

["What does a guy's engagement ring look like?" Hilary asked. "Just like mine, a simple band. No diamonds." "Yeah," she says, "I think Craig would look strange with a big diamond on his hand." "That he would, but both of us have issues with the diamond industry, so lucky for him, no diamonds."]

It's all very egalitarian, mutual, reciprocal. And what does it all mean? I guess it means that we're engaged. Or whatever. See, we are avoiding terms like "engagement", "wedding", and "marriage" and we haven't quite found other words to use in their place. Actually, I think I avoid them more than he, but he does respect my neuroses opinions about patriarchy, heterosexism, etc. He gets me. I'm lucky.

How did I find such an amazing man - a sensitive, brilliant, kind, passionate, compassionate, articulate, opinionated, well-read, justice-oriented, progressive activist/pacifist/scientist who despises the diamond industry (and other forms of oppression)? Oh, yeah, on match.com. Searching specifically for "very liberal" "vegetarians" with "master's degrees".

So anyway, our big ceremony will be sometime in 2008 (winter or spring). Exact season will be dependent on my brother's deployment schedule. Let's end this war soon!! Craig and I want to get hitched. Or whatever.

thoughts on the Bush-commuting-sentences business

Actually, I really don't know how to respond to this whole corrupt, Nixonian, slap-in-the-face-to-our-judicial-system, Scooter Libby scenario.

And Bush just seems to be on a commuting rampage. Now he's commuted Pluto's sentence, too? This I take personally, as I happen to know a member of the "jury" that handed down that sentence to the planet-wannbe.

Christy Loves Jeanne

This past weekend, my dear friends Christy and Jeanne wed. I was fortunate enough to attend their ceremony, to witness these two amazing women (both colleagues in ministry) commit their lives to one another. They promised to love each other, to be faithful to one another, to laugh together, to play together, to cry together, to pray together.

Oh, what a blessed and joyous day it was!! The love that Christy and Jeanne share radiates from them, permeates any room they walk into, and indeed, inspires all who meet them. Yes, their union inspired many. At least two people popped the question to their significant others during the celebratory weekend.