donaturel

Ten things running through my head as I watched the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th president: 1. While I have no desire to belittle George W. Bush, I am relieved beyond words that we now have a president who considers rhetoric to be a worthy art. 2. I remembered back to my first semester in seminary when I took "History of the African American Religious Experience" and had my eyes opened to the anger and frustration that many of my black sisters and brothers in Christ had carried with them for generations. 3. I remembered that at that same seminary, all the executives except one were white and the entire custodial staff were black. 4. I remembered the lay leader at the church I served in Batavia telling me that the contractor who built the church building in the early 20th century was also a known leader in the KKK in Clermont County. 5. I was offended at the blatantly Christocentric prayer offered by Rick Warren. To my mind, this was an opportunity for someon...

Check out this news story here: http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2009/01/14/attack.html?sid=102 There are a lot of things in life that make me angry, but probably nothing more than senseless violence born of bigotry. Here a gay couple is simply walking down the street and they are attacked. Like many victims of anti-gay violence, they decide not to make a big deal of it and try to go on with life. Then this week, their SUV gets torched, so they finally come forward. I simply can not wrap my mind around the violent harrassment of people who may be different from the majority. What, exactly, is broken inside that creates the desire to do violence to that which may be different? Which synapses have not connected? I don't know this couple, but I hope they have a network of strong support so that they can move through this time in life successfully. And I will be praying for all the gay couples that I do know, as this dark little fear that lingers in the back of their mind...

Last Wednesday, we had the good fortune to be able to share dinner with Karen Reider and her oldest son, Aiden. The next day, they left on a year long adventure - one of hope and healing; one of suspense and surprise; one of growth and challenge. I have posted the link on the left to her blog - My Attempt at RTV - but she has also just posted the first video segment of their trip here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYOfmqXehk4 . Karen - we send you love and prayers!