'growing in faith' Tagged Posts (Page 12)
Sexuality
It might be wonderful to have Frederick Buechner over for a meal. His book “Whistling in the Dark” is a dictionary of topics that we often don’t want to talk about at The Table. Here are some sections from “Nakedness” taken from the second creation story in Genesis: “Everybody knows what everybody else looks like with no clothes on, but there are few of us who would consider going around in public without them. It is our sexuality that we’re…
Umulga. The Well.
Umulga, a Korean word, means “the well”- a place where the essential can be found. The UmulgaSHe-Space was an inclusive space for women and men (She and He) to exchange, rest, pray and reflect either individually or in groups on issues related to gender justice at The World Council of Churches 10th assembly gathering November 2013. The space was designed in the style of Korean hospitality and reflected the various places that are part of the lives of women and men…
Manhood. One view.
As you leave the blurred wood You entered while still a boy, And light clarifies around Your emerging, manly form, May you discover gradually A natural confidence in your body. May your new strength be graceful As you learn to carry yourself With a dignity that is sure, Bringing your gestures and expression Into an easy harmony and rhythm. May you never feel the need To be coarse, or force yourself; Rather, may you receive your manhood With grace and…
Woman
That man over there say a woman needs to be helped into carriages and lifted over ditches and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helped me into carriages or over mud puddles or gives me a best place…. And ain’t I a woman? Look at me Look at my arm! I have plowed and planted and gathered into barns and no man could head me… And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as…
Toward Sunday
We continue our worship series, Don’t Talk About That at The Table; with reflection this coming week on gender. Outline January 12: United Methodist Social Principles (Acts 10.34-43) January 19: Race (Matthew 5.38-48) January 26: Immigration (1 Corinthians 1.10-18) February 2: Abortion (Micah 6.1-8) February 9: Gender (Ephesians 5.22-24 & Galatians 3.28) February 16: Sexuality (Romans 1.26-27 & Ruth 1.16-17) February 23: Prisons (Hebrews 13.3) This Sunday will invite deeper reflection on gender and faith. The United Methodist Social Principles includes this statement, ¶ 161.E Women and…
The Mis-illustration of Abortion
Being aware of the ways in which we are manipulated by media images is always important. It is especially mis-leading to speak about Abortion and show a photo of an obviously late term pregnancy since the majority of abortions in the United States occur within the first trimester. Take time to read this piece from The Society Pages, an online magazine that examines culture and society. Mis-Illustrating Abortion
Toward Sunday
We continue our worship series this Sunday called Don’t Talk About That at The Table; inviting reflection & conversation on many of the topics we “aren’t” supposed to talk about in church. This week we will consider Abortion. Outline January 12: United Methodist Social Principles (Acts 10.34-43) January 19: Race (Matthew 5.38-48) January 26: Immigration (1 Corinthians 1.10-18) February 2: Abortion (Micah 6.1-8) February 9: Gender (Ephesians 5.22-24 & Galatians 3.28) February 16: Sexuality (Romans 1.26-27 & Ruth 1.16-17) February 23: Prisons (Hebrews 13.3) Take time today to…
Immigrants
Ched Myers writes, “The political winds of imperial conquest and settlement, and the global economic currents of boom and bust, push and pull people like great tides. They have shaped and reshaped the shorelines of countries and cultures since the first soldiers of fortune landed lost on the beaches of Great Turtle Island. To blame the immigrant for the tides is like blaming a fallen apple for gravity. Who is legal, who is an immigrant, and even who is…
Toward Sunday
We continue our worship series this Sunday called Don’t Talk About That at The Table; inviting reflection & conversation on many of the topics we “aren’t” supposed to talk about in church. This week we will consider Immigration. We hope that this worship series will create safe environments for challenging conversations. Outline January 12: United Methodist Social Principles (Acts 10.34-43) January 19: Race (Matthew 5.38-48) January 26: Immigration (1 Corinthians 1.10-18) February 2: Abortion (Micah 6.1-8) February 9: Gender (Ephesians 5.22-24 & Galatians 3.28) February 16: Sexuality…
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass might have classified many professing Christians with the scribes and Pharisees of whom Jesus said, “Do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach” (Matthew 23.3) Douglas recalled that his one-time owner had “attended a Methodist camp meeting and there experienced religion. If it had any effect on his character, it made him more cruel and hateful in all his ways.” How? Because with…
Saviorism
A Good Ally avoids saviorism and constantly reflects upon their role and place in the larger struggle. …Sometimes in our vigor and passion to fight injustice, we fall into the trap of saviorhood. The male that fights for women’s rights, the straight/CIS person who advocates for LGBTQ people, the White person confronting racism. I have no doubt that most begin with great intentions, but as we have seen over and over again, when unchecked and unreflective, even the most passionate and…
Responding to Racism
Doug Worgul’s novel, “Thin Blue Smoke”, chronicles the life of LaVerne Williams, the owner of a Kansas City restaurant, and touches upon everything from God to race to friendship to character to, as you would expect of a Kansas City writer…Barbeque. At one point, LaVerne’s son Raymond (who is african american) and his best friend A.B. (who is caucasion) are arrested after they locked their keys in their own restaurant. As the officer comes to release Raymond and A.B. from…