Tonight was absolutely one of the most incredible things of which I’ve ever been a part!!

As some of you know, one of my forms of worship lately has been to be a part of a women’s drumming group.  Tonight, that class culminated in a fundraiser/performance that included us (the Drum Sistas), the Djembabes, Bells of Joy, and Rattletree Marimba. 

The whole evening was dedicated to raising money for the Sankofa Center for African Dance and Culture, a non-profit which uses African drumming, dance, etc. to draw villagers from miles around and then provides education about and services for HIV/AIDS.

Our group had the first set.  As we played, people cheered, clapped, smiled, and (eventually) danced.  Women and men of all ages, shapes, sizes, abilities, and backgrounds joined their spirits together and the sense of community and good will and Spirit running through that room was chill-bump inspiring! 

This weekend, as you may know, is the time in the Christian Church when we celebrate “Pentecost”, or the story recorded in Acts about God’s Spirit settling upon the first “Christians who could suddenly all understand what one another was saying, even though many different languages from around the world were being spoken by the persons there!!

I was touched by the common spirit that pervaded the experience tonight.  In drumming, the idea is that the vibrating energy of the sound of the drum goes out into the world and can carry our prayers and intentions toward the world with it.  So, we frequently decide before we drum a rhythm what intention/prayers we wish to put out into the world at a given moment. 

Tonight, as each group played, several hundred people joined their hearts and minds and prayers and intentions together and focused them on the healing needed in the AIDS crisis in Africa.  I don’t know yet how much money we raised, but it was substantial.  Perhaps even more important was the energy of our hearts joined together in one common goal, even though we were all so very different.  Kind of like Pentecost, we didn’t need to speak the same language to be understood.  The rhythm, the vibrations, and the prayers were one–one heartbeat, which Ibelieve was the heartbeat of God inspiring us, drawing us together, and focusing our collective power on doing something good in the world.

What would happen if we lived that intentionally, with that much focus on our common goals of making this world a better place?  What if we listened so closely to God that we translated the language of other people with God’s eyes and ears and heart.  It could lead to greater understanding, greater peace, and greater health for us all.  How quickly could we solve hunger, poverty, war, injustice, illness, and so on if we took such a united, hearts-beating-as-one approach to working together?

Let’s start, somewhere!  This week, I challenge each of us to find our own rhythm, find others to join, and together let’s do something incredible and transformative to change this world, one radical act of love at a time. 

Friends,

This evening, PJ is graciously sharing her home with us for our First Saturday Potluck!  We meet from 5:00-6:15ish and the only request from tonight’s hostess is to bring no meat, so pull out those old vegetarian recipes or swing by your local grocery store and let them put together something for you.  Regardless, it will be a great time of food, fun, and connection with a group of friends.

Next week, we continue our worship services at 1122 S. Lamar next to Alamo Drafthouse South from 5:00-6:15 (again…ish!).  We are still experimenting with formats that work for our community, but each week persons feel warmly welcomed and immediately like part of the family, we have great discussions or experience wonderful times of creative play, and we are drawn closer to God each in our own way.

The only thing missing is you and the gifts you have to bring.  Call Carla at 527-4455 for details.

Peace…

Apologies for the late notice, but our First Saturday Potluck venue has had to change given a work conflict for one of our members.  

We will meet at 5:00 p.m. at Casa Garcia at 1100 S. Lamar.  It is in the same shopping center as our regular meeting place, to the right as you face the Alamo Drafthouse south, right on S. Lamar.

Please call me at 527-4455 to RSVP so we will know how large of a table to get for us!

 

Also, this Thursday, April 10^th from 2:00-3:00 p.m., listen to KOOP, 91.7 FM as I’m interviewed by Rev. Chuck Freeman on “Soul Talk Radio”.  Chuck is the Minister of Spiritual Life with Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church.  Chuck is also a certified chaplain and, in 2006, co-founded the Austin chapter of the Network of Spiritual Progressives!!  You can listen live on streaming audio at http://www.koop.org/?page=streaming!!

 

If we miss you tonight, we’ll look forward to seeing you next Saturday for a regular service at the Eternal Way Center!  We have new musicians interviewing with us even now as Sean Michael must take time off to focus more on his music program at school.  We are sad to lose his talents, but support him in dedicating himself fully to his studies, and we’ll look forward to seeing him when he can take a study break and join us!!

 

Peace!

Carla

 

 

Each week, I prepare a message, but it’s delivered informally with folks welcome to add their comments and thoughts in more of a discussion format.  No one is pressured or put on the spot and persons are welcome to just listen.  To get an idea of what our services are like, see the copy of last week’s worship guide! 

March 29^th Text: John 20:19-31  Topic:  “The God of Scars”–My thoughts…Even when we experience doubt and fear or hide behind locked doors, God is with us.  God welcomes our questions and understands our struggles.  Through our own healed scars, others will see evidence of God’s faithfulness and power to transform.  Bring your questions and thoughts Saturday evening or e-mail Carla even now!   

Songs— You can hear “Testify to Love” on YouTube.  I have a cd of our other song, ”And That My Soul Knows Very Well”, but haven’t purchased the space on this blog, yet, to post it here.  E-mail me if you would like it! 

I hang out with a very, very wide variety of people.  When people discover I’m a pastor, they often start to apologize for themselves–the way they speak, the way they dress, what they believe, etc.  I find it frustrating and sad that either a.) they feel so disconnected from God that they feel they have to be ashamed when anything about God is around, b.) they are so accustomed to being judged and shamed by Christians they automatically expect this to be my reaction to them, or c.) all of the above!

One country gentleman recently cussed around me.  He turned bright red, ducked his head in shame, and apologized to me profusely.  I leaned over, put my arm around his back and said, “It’s okay.  I don’t think God gives a shit what you say (insert country gentleman almost choking on his plug of chaw).  I think God cares a lot more about what’s going on in your heart and how you’re treating other people.” 

More times than I care to count, I’ve had people “confessing” to me that they either had previously or are currently ”living in sin”.  That continues to be the Southern way of saying someone is living with his or her partner, which is another way of saying they’re having sex with someone they are in relationship with without being married. 

When they say this, I ask them, “Is your relationship commited to love, respect, and support for each other and do you make life better for each other?”  To which they’ve each said, “Yes.”  I then ask them what’s sinful about that? 

Healthy and loving relationships are a beautiful thing, and need the church’s support.  For whatever reason, not everyone has had a ceremony or gotten a piece of paper that gives them “license” to be intimate.  For those in same-gender relationships, there is no piece of paper “legitimizing” the relationship.  Do we want them to feel drawn to church so we can support them and their relationship, or do we want them to feel so rejected and shamed by us that they avoid us?!

CERTAINLY, my preference is for people to have a ceremony or holy union before the church, but not so that WE can feel okay about what THEY do in their private relationship.  I PREFER that so that WE can support THEM in maintaining a relationship that is strong and healthy and happy. 

I believe God created all life.  As the Creator, I believe God values anything else that gives life or enhances our living and is against only that which destroys or inhibits life.  “Sin”, in my book then, is anything that goes against God…the Creator…hence anything that goes against full and wonderful life.  Life, by my definition, cannot therefore be sinful. 

Sex has been made into something ”shameful”, but it is a natural part of who we are that God meant to be wonderful and enjoyable.  By NOT teaching people healthy ways to express their sexuality and value it as a gift from God, I believe persons then resort to unhealthy means of sexual expression by lying to themselves and others and not making good decisions for their bodies and their hearts. 

It’s like the great debate around sex education for teens.  Research demonstrates that providing contraception to teens and teaching them how to use it not only DOESN’T encourage them to have sex, it actually DELAYS the onset of first intercourse and, when they do engage in sex, increases the liklihood they will use contraception.  This is because provding information is empowering.  In teaching teens how to use contraception, they also learn how to communicate with their partner about its use.  They learn to respect themselves and others.

In the church, we’ve sent sex underground where people of faith often don’t feel they can talk openly about it.  Without open communication, and the respect it requires for ourselves and for others, we’re left vulnerable to making poor decisions by not being clear if everyone is on the same page emotionally, by not checking sexual histories and/or getting tested to make certain that any necessary precautions are taken.  

Living isn’t sinful.  True and real life is, in my view, about openness and respect and joy and love… and includes sex!!!  Silence can result in hearts that feel deceived and bodies that suffer harm.  So in our relationships, let’s live fully by having the conversations, even if they are difficult, in our homes and churches and relationships.  It’s a shame to keep something so beautiful living in the shadows, so let’s bring it into the light and enjoy this gift with responsibility, but FREE from shame!

Just when I think my “box” is pretty big, meaning that I’m pretty enlightened and open to other views, I meet someone who has a belief, idea, or way of being that is outside of my box.  It’s a good exercise in humility to be reminded of my own narrowness of thought and hidden prejudices from time to time, and it’s always a good “check-in” for me as to how secure I am in my relationship with God. 

When I’m feeling close and secure, it’s easier for me to consider something outside my box without feeling overly threatened.  When I’m not feeling so sure of my relationship with God or secure within myself, I’m quick to blow off, scoff at, or even express disgust or disdain for a novice idea and sometimes, unfortunately, the person who holds or embodies it, as well.

I don’t like that when I notice myself doing it because I think it separates me from my brothers and sisters, demonstrates my limited view of God, and can result in others feeling rejected by me and, maybe by extension, God.  The thought I would contribute to anyone ever feeling that way breaks my heart, because I know all too well what it’s like to be scoffed at, looked upon with disgust, or told that I’m  not worthy because of ideas I hold or who I am.

Just because I’m open to considering other viewpoints doesn’t mean I have to take them on or embrace them.  But if I reject an idea immediately, without even considering it thoughtfully, I believe it is disrespectful of the other person and can be a sign that I’m also rejecting them. 

If I am at least willing to breath through any discomfort and see if or how the new-to-me idea might fit, or even result in readjusting, my belief system, I can then either say, “I don’t think so” or “maybe” or “Wow, that makes sense!”  Regardless, by being open to ideas I leave myself open to growth and open to others, I can embrace them even if I do not embrace their ideas. 

If I can do that, then I make room for God’s Spirit to move within me and between myself and others around me.  If I can’t, I put up roadblocks and rob myself of experiencing the beauty of God’s gifts coming to me through others.

This afternoon I saw an AP video of an 8-year old making a 3-pointer (that’s basketball, for you non-sports types!)  at the buzzer ending the game.  It was great and made me smile.  The crowd went wild and the kids on the team were thrilled.  Then the video showed the score-board.  The buzzer-beating shot took the score from 4-13, to 7-13…The shot that caused so much excitement and made AP news DIDN’T win the game!  It made me go ”Hmmm”.

I’ve faced a couple of really overwhelming and frustrating situations lately, both personally and professionally.  It’s tempting during these times to pull the cover over one’s head and quit.  But seeing this video reminded me of my baseball days when, even when we were behind by 10 or more runs and only a miracle would allow us to win, I would get incredibly frustrated if my teammates gave up.  I didn’t mind losing, so long as we played as hard as we could and didn’t give up until the final ”buzzer”. 

The idea that the journey is more important that the destination isn’t just a nice cliche’ for greeting cards or fridge magnets.  I often get so caught up focusing on the goal, the end point, acting like a human-doer rather than a human-BEING, that I miss the journey, not to mention the people I encouter along the way.  And, sometimes, the end-point is a disappointment.  For me, the message is to hang in there, keep doing my best, take joy in the actual work, and be content regardless of the score at the end of the game.

After all, I don’t think God is one of those side-line parents who rants at us when we lose and only buys us a snowcone or ice cream when we win.  I think God jumps up and down, whooping and cheering like an idiot, high-fiving us for each accomplishment, even if that accomplishment is simply having the guts to hang in there when it gets tough and working our butts off, just because it’s the right thing to do. 

When it’s all over and we’re ready to hit the showers and go home to bed, I think God, with a great big smile of pride, carries us on His/Her shoulders, ”winners” and “losers” alike, and doesn’t even mind if the ice cream drips onto His/Her head!   

We have located a site to meet that will better suit our current needs and allow us to start meeting weekly!  We will still meet at 1700 S. Lamar in the South Lamar Business Park for our February 23rd Spirit Slam II from 5:00-6:30 p.m. 

March 1st we’ll gather for a potluck dinner at someone’s home, TBA, from 5:00-6:30.  The following Saturday, March 8th, and every Saturday thereafter, we’ll meet at 1122 S. Lamar, 78704.  This site is the home of Eternal Way Center, is a few blocks north of our current location, and is directly next door to Alamo Drafthouse, South!

 Come join us!  We look forward to meeting you in person.

I met a young Muslin college student after 9/11.  I asked him how he felt when people treated him with prejudice and fear, after the attacks, because of his faith. 

I was absolutely humbled to hear him say that he felt ashamed, because if people’s view of Islam was that it was a religion of hatred and terrorism, it was only because he had not done enough to show the true loving nature of his faith.  Therefore, it was to his shame, not theirs, that they felt prejudice and fear and did not know any better.   

More on that in a minute…

 In the last 48 hours, I’ve experienced several things that have my head spinning and my heart pumping, and I’m trying to figure out what to do about it.

I went to a gathering of Christian folks who want to do good things in our community.  I was inspired by their passion, their struggles and questions, and their apparently sincere desire to make a positive change because of their love for God and the people of this world.

However, it quickly became apparent that my theology and my views about social justice were much different (read: more liberal) than theirs.  They were very nice to me and welcomed me and my thoughts.  They listened respectfully, but many times it felt like something I said caused the air to get sucked out of the room and people just didn’t know what to do with me.  

The result was that I didn’t feel truly like part of the group, like a part of the family.  I felt very much like an outsider, and I left feeling sad and lonely.  I wanted desperately to be amongst people who shared more of my views or, at the least, were more comfortable with my being different from them.

Every day, including in the last 48 hours, I meet people who tell me about their spiritual journey.  They talk about being disillusioned and frustrated at what they perceive to be hypocrisy amongst Christians and walking away from organized religion because of that.   They talk about being rejected because of who they are, how they live, or what they believe.

 They talk about leaving the Church because they have experienced a similar feeling of not belonging; not really being welcomed; not feeling like they were truly accepted just as they are; not feeling like people knew how to relate to them. 

I tell them what we’re trying to do with Creative Spirit; that we’re working to create a space where people feel at home spiritually, PERIOD.  That they find how much they are loved and accepted by God, and us, and are then inspired and encouraged to go out and transform their corner of this world with that love.  

That we want people to be a part of creating our services so that they experience and express their spirituality through the arts and music and with whatever other gifts they have.  That we are a Christian church that believes that any path that affirms life is good and that we welcome the rituals and writings and views of other faiths in our worship.

It’s a hard sell.  As soon as the word “Christian” comes out of my mouth, people cringe and I feel like I have to apologize and work hard to overcome their stereotype to convince them that I won’t judge them; that hellfire and brimstone and exclusivity and coercion to believe a certain way are not what I, or Creative Spirit, are about.

Getting back to my story at the beginning of this post, if all people know of Christianity is judgment and rejection, it is to our shame, including mine.  If they only know of one way of being Christian, it’s because we haven’t done enough to show them a different way is possible; that there is another way to understand God that doesn’t necessarily fit into any one nice and neat box; that Christianity is very compatible with the value and beauty they’ve found in other faiths or beliefs and not antithetical to them.   

It makes me sad and angry.

Don’t get me wrong…I’ve had the privilege to experience some of the best of Christianity in its people and churches.  I know that there are conservative, moderate, and liberal Christian churches that are doing wonderful and loving things and are doing their best to make everyone feel welcome.  But no one church can meet the needs of all people, and I believe we’ve not done enough to truly create space for everyone.

I was lamenting the lack of ethnic and racial diversity at my home church, and the pastor said to me, “But for people of color to want to come here, we’re going to have to be willing to let go of our very ‘white’ ways of worshiping and doing church or else they won’t feel at home and want to be here.  Are we willing to give up what feels culturally comfortable to us to create such a space?”

Far too long have we not been really willing to step out of our comfort zones and truly meet people where they are.  Far too long have we let exclusion appear to be the majority.  Far too long have we been content to sit in our churches and open the doors wide to everyone but wait there and expect them to know that we’re there and to take the initiative to come to us. 

Far too long have we been silent while some speak with loud voices of hate and judgement from websites like www.GodHatesFags.com.  If the voices of Fred Phelps and the folks from his church protesting at funerals are the only voices they hear speaking for Christianity, what do we expect them to believe?  Where are we?  Where is our voice?  Are we working nearly as hard as they are to let a different voice be heard? 

They spend an incredible amount of time and money traveling around to protest at funerals and churches and events all over the country.  Are we even half as much committed to spreading our message?

One of the most poignant moments at the gathering with Christians the other night where I felt like an outsider was when one guy recalled a conversation he had with a friend who said, “Dude, like, if you Christians decided to all get together around the world and just end hunger or poverty, you could just DO IT!”  At first, the idea seemed absurd, but after a few moments, it sank in that this guy was right.  WE COULD!  The next obvious question is, “Why haven’t we?”

We could sit around and point fingers all day and discuss why we think this is, but instead, I’m desperate for other heads and hearts to come together to spend our energy finding ways to just do it.  Many of you whom I know ARE working to make a difference in ways you feel God has called you to.  But Creative Spirit is what I’m passionate about and where I feel called and I need people who share this vision to join me.

Can’t we at least step out onto The Drag on Guadalupe St. in Austin and just sit and make friends with he homeless teens that hang out there? 

Can’t we go stand on the corners with day laborers and use our broken Spanish to try to communicate with them and get to know them and understand what their life is like and what we might be able to do to stand with them and require that our country treat them like people and not criminals? 

Can’t we go sit in tattoo parlors and ask questions about body art and piercings and get to know folks who don’t look like us so we won’t be so uncomfortable around them, which, without our meaning to, makes them feel like Pariah’s? 

I’ve been saddened and humbled when I’ve stopped someone with tattoos and said admiringly, “Hey brother, cool ink!  That’s beautiful.  Do you mind telling me about it?”.  Most often their response is first clearly one of shock that 1) someone who looks white bread like me appreciates what they consider art and 2) doesn’t judge them as someone who’s been to prison or does drugs just because they have tattoos.  Then they smile at me with relief and gratitude and thank me profusely for my compliment.  One guy even chased me out the door to thank me again.

How many people think I shun them because, since I don’t understand them and am therefore am a bit uncomfortable around them, I just ignore them; never truly see or connect with them?

I’ll be honest, I’m hesitant to send this out.  I’m not ordinarily this preachy (I hope!).  It’s scary to step out here and risk criticism or just making myself a clear target.  And I don’t usually speak out of passion that comes from such frustration and anger with myself or others. 

I’m scared of offending well-intentioned people because they feel like I’m condemning them when I beg you to believe that isn’t my intention.  I’ve used words like “we” and “our” intentionally because I indict myself first and foremost with these words and am not sitting on a high horse thinking that I’m so enlightened or spiritual or great.  I screw up all the time and those of you who know me at all, know this all too well.

My intention is to call all of us, including me, to re-think how we are living out our faith and “doing church”.  My desire is to find a different way and to change the tide so that Christianity and God are not seen as nearly so monolithic.

MOST OF ALL, MY DESIRE IS TO SAY, I want to find a way to do something different because something’s gotta change and I can’t do it on my own.  I need more creative minds than mine working on building Creative Spirit as a home for the spiritually homeless and as a transformational community that makes serious, tangible, and lasting change in the lives of people in Austin.  I need people to help ME to grow and live up to my own challenges above. 

So, what do you say?  I need your thoughts, your ideas, and your prayers.  I need help thinking outside of the box because I have my own comfort zones and blind spots and only the presence of others who share this vision can kick me in the rear to overcome them.  Write me.  Call me.  In the name of Jesus the hippie radical who shook everyone up, let’s do something radical.  

Peace, Carla

Saturday, March 1st, at 10:00 a.m., walk with Creative Spirit to help fight hunger in Austin and abroad!  Click this link to join the Creative Spirit team or to donate.  For more information about CROP Hunger Walk, visit the AAIM website. 

CROP Hunger Walk is a national, annual, interfaith event where walkers raise donations to support hunger programs in Austin and around the world.  At least 25% of the donations go to local hunger progams (see list below).  The rest goes to programs worldwide, especially those that empower communities to meet their own needs through technical training and micro-enterprise loans.

Austin’s walk is held at Roy Guerro Colorado River Park (off East Riverside Drive, near the ACC Riverside campus).  Austin has participated for 30 years, with coordination provided by Austin Area Interreligious Ministries (AAIM, mentioned above).  Last year, Austin walkers from 110 faith communities raised $122,000!  Nation-wide, over 2.5 million walkers, sponsors, and volunteers raise $16 million each year.   

Creative Spirit is dedicated to standing in solidarity with others, whatever their struggle, and humbly serving needs.  By walking, we recognize those who must walk great distances for things we take for granted like food, water, education, and work.  So join us as we put feet to our faith! 

LOCAL AUSTIN BENEFICIARIES OF THE 2007 WALK INCLUDE:
Capital Area Food Bank of Texas – 13%
For the Fresh Food for Families and Healthy Options Program for the Elderly (HOPE) at the Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center site.
Meals on Wheels and More – 2%
Mt. Olive Baptist Church Food Pantry – 1%
Foundation for the Homeless for Interfaith Hospitality Network
and Feed My People – 3%
Trinity Center for Trinity Streets and other feeding programs – 1%
Hill Country Community Ministries Food Pantry – 1%
El Buen Samaritano Primary Needs Emergency Food Pantry – 2%
Sustainable Food Center La Cocina Alegre /
The Happy Kitchen educational program – 2%