"...and How are the children?"

"The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children."
– Dietrich Bonheoffer

The organization I am interning with (Africa Faith and Justice Network), in conjunction with the annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace With Justice (a movement of the ecumenical Christian community), is hosting a conference with the theme, "and How are the Children?" Following is a snapshot of the event:

In 2007, March 9-12, we will gather for the fifth annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference. Our theme, "and How are the Children?" will guide and inspire this gathering of over 1,000 religious advocates from a wide array of Christian communions. Experts will train participants how to do advocacy and inform them of U.S. domestic and international policies that impact all of God's children and are shaping the future of our world. The gathering will conclude with a visit to Capitol Hill where participants will ask their Congressional representatives to make the needs of children the center of the 2007 legislative agenda.

The Ecumenical Advocacy Days event is a joint initiative of numerous faith-based organizations. More information at: http://www.advocacydays.org/

If you're interested in attending and short on cash, I can probably arrange free lodging. ;) Feel free to pass this information along to anyone who might be interested.

The Power of Listening

"...Christians have forgotten that the ministry of listening has been entrusted to them by the one who is indeed the great listener and in whose work they are to participate. We should listen with the ears of God, so that we can speak the Word of God."
- Bonhoeffer, from Life Together

Another bright spot

Just realized how depressing my last entry sounded -- alas, I guess that's honesty at its best. To paint a fuller picture, I should also report that I met a nice couple with two young kids on Sunday who invited me over for dinner tomorrow PM. I'm looking forward to this. I'm so grateful for friendly folks who reach out. :)

“I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto...”

I’m sitting in the Senate office building coffee shop as I write. On my way to a meeting this morning, I walked past the Library of Congress and the Capitol. What the heck am I doing here?

During the meeting this morning, my stomach let out a loud growl (I forgot to eat breakfast). The guy next to me made light of the matter and quipped, “You’ve got to feed that thing!” How embarrassing! Note to self: eat breakfast. Oh, well. What can I do but laugh about it (and publish the incident on my blog so whole world can share in my DC initiation experiences)?

So, I’m giving this my best and barely holding my own. People here use words like “copasetic” in conversation. (Definition: adj. Very satisfactory or acceptable; fine. I had to look it up...) I love the intellectual and progressive environment here, but I’m also challenged by it. I think this NH girl is in a little over her head -- probably a good place to be as it causes me to daily “lift my eyes to the Maker of the mountains I can’t climb” (to borrow a line from Bebo Norman).

On a more positive note, last night I met a great group of people who are putting together an Irresistible Revolution (book by Shane Claiborne) networking/discussion time on Saturday, January 27. My friend, Matt, invited me to take part in this endeavor (more information at: www.ordinaryradical.org). Should be cool. If nothing else, it will be good to meet some more people with similar hearts/passion for living out our faith.

Church Search Update 1

So, as I mentioned previously, I decided to visit two churches today: The Common Table (http://www.marshillchurch.com/come.php) and Bridgeway242(http://www.bridgeway242.org/aboutus/index.html). I haven't attended Bridgeway's service yet (it's @ 6pm tonight), but just returned from The Common Table. I like it. The second I overheard someone swear during the course of a pre-service conversation, I knew this was going to be a place worth considering. ;)

Seems like The Common Table is a small community of people from different church backgrounds (Episcopal, Charismatic etc.). Three Sundays/month their worship service is held in a coffee shop (Jammin' Java), one Sunday/month their worship takes on some form of community service (painting a house, serving an Iraq refuge family etc.) Today we read through the book of James interspersed with worship and music from special guest Chris Joyner (http://www.chrisjoyner.com/discography/).

Apparently after the service every Sunday a number of people walk over to Chipotle for lunch. I was invited to join, so I did. (People were thoughtful and friendly - I love that!) As I inquired more about the church I learned that their essential doctrine is based on the Nicene Creed and the Eucharist; everything else is basically considered non-essentials (at least that's my understanding). Also, it seems like this is a hands-on/alternative worship type atmosphere - definitely a church I'd consider getting involved with. If nothing else, it's great to see the Spirit of God at work among the greater body of Christ.

Adventures on the DC Metro

Last night I was talking with my new roommate, Heather, about the DC Metro. Heather mentioned that not long ago someone was arrested for eating in the station. (Apparently eating/drinking in the Metro system is illegal.) I found an article on the situation in the Washington Post. Check it out: Mouthful Gets Metro Passenger Handcuffs and Jail - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22456-2004Jul28.html.

Today I decided to do a trial run on the Metro so I would be prepared to take it on Monday. Starbucks coffee in hand, I drove to the Vienna Metro Center (and didn't get lost!), parked in an appropriate spot (Not a handicap spot, Shell, you should be proud...), used the SmarTrip card my wonderful home group gave me, and finally sat down in the correct metro rail car (whew!). Then it occurred to me: I still had my Starbucks coffee in hand. Uh oh. No trash in sight. The risk of being thrown off the car, banned from forever using this key source of transportation, or arrested was imminent. I tried putting my coffee in my bag; that didn't work very well. Finally decided to sandwich the cup between my legs and cover it with my bag; this option proved to be a bit more secure. I proceeded to toss the cup of the coffee as soon as I got off at my next stop.

In addition to narrowly escaping arrest today, I learned a few things:
1) Escalator etiquette
If you plan to stand still and simply ride the escalator, stand to the right; if you plan to walk the escalator, go to the left. (Yes, folks, I've been living in NH for far too long...)
2) It's cool to walk from the Metro station to Trinity University (where the Africa Faith and Justice Network office is located) during the day, but not safe to do so at night (per Adam, the Trinity shuttle driver from Ethiopia).
3) BEFORE getting on the Metro rail, be SURE to double check what line you are boarding. (I took a lengthy detour on the blue line as I was coming home today b/c I thought I had boarded the orange line. Oops.)
4) There are a ton of mega churches in this area (Yippee! Ya'll know how much I LOVE mega churches...) After doing some online reconnaissance work, I think I'm going to check out two churches this Sunday: The Common Table (http://www.marshillchurch.com/come.php) and Bridgeway242 (http://www.bridgeway242.org/aboutus/index.html). Of course, nothing can take the place of Grace Community Church in Rochester, NH. :)

On another note, I think I’m going to do some informal research on the major points of deviation between Catholicism and Protestantism. A couple of key differences come to mind (granted, these are generalizations):
1) Grace-based vs. works-based mentality
2) Significant emphasis on Mary and worship of saints in Catholicism

What else? Any thoughts?

To my Catholic friends and family: I don’t mean to address this in a derogatory way, I’m just curious and coming at this from a Protestant perspective. I welcome other thoughts/perspectives as I explore this topic.

Saying "Goodbye" Sucks.

Saved in my drafts folder is a great, really spiritual-sounding post I started writing a few days ago ("There's No Place Like Home") . I'm still going to publish it because I know it's true, but to be honest, my feelings don't quite match up right now. It is harder to leave my wonderful NH friends/family/church than I thought it would be. I know I need to make this move and I know God is going to use this for good in my life and I'm excited about this next step, but that doesn't change the fact that it's hard to say goodbye.

There's No Place Like Home (draft referred to earlier)
I keep coming back to this thought: home is not so much about a physical location or a certain group of people (not to say these things aren't important); rather, home is anywhere the Spirit of God dwells. If the Spirit of God dwells within my heart, I'm home - regardless of my surroundings. I find this thought to be quite comforting in light of the fact that I'm not really sure of what/where to call "home" these days.

Two songs come to mind:
1) Rich Mullins sings "I'm home anywhere, if You are where I am" (Not sure what song that line is from, but I know it's a Rich song)
2) Jami Smith wrote a song entitled (appropriately) "Home"; I think it's going to be my theme song for the next few weeks.

Home
Jami Smith

My heart fails
My mind falters
Sometimes my passion fades
Sometimes my desires change
Sometimes I turn my head and I look the other way

When I'm restless you are rest
When I'm helpless you are help
When I'm nervous you settle me
When I'm empty you fill me
When I've gone to far you gently bring me home
'Cause you are home

Home is where my history begins
Home is where you delight in me
Home is where your voice is in my ear
Home is where you dance with me