Retirement, Remixing, and the Religious Society of Friends

I don't post much here anymore since I mostly use Facebook, Twitter, and the like to offer thoughts. But what I have to say here requires a bit more space.

As my faithful reader (notice, singular, not plural) knows, I retired from full-time, paid employment a year ago. And while I'm as busy as I've ever been, I'm busy doing mostly things I really enjoy -- writing, leading retreats, hanging out with friends, and the like.

I've also come to really enjoy something else -- and that's watching friends of mine who are a generation or two younger than me move into really significant leadership and staff positions in the Religious Society of Friends. What I especially enjoy about this is seeing how they do things differently than I (and others of my advanced age) would do them.

Now, when I was younger and way more insecure (I'm still insecure -- just not as much as I used to be), I would have been critical of how they do things differently. After all, I did them the right way. And I did -- for my time and with my understanding of what was needed. But times have changed (my gosh, I sound like my Grandma Bill!) and ways doing things in the RSOF and its institutions and organizations need to change, too. I'm pleased that younger (than me) leaders are doing just that.

I'm just going to focus primarily on one example (because otherwise this post would become a book -- and I'm already working on a book with a deadline looming!!) and that's my friend Wess Daniels who serves as the William R Rogers Director of Friends Center and Quaker Studies at Guilford College.

I've known Wess for a number of years and followed his thinking and writing -- especially about the RSOF and revitalization. He's a good thinker (but not as good a writer as I am -- kidding). And his thinking and writing have challenged me to rethink some of ways of how we do things. One of his most innovative ideas is that of remixing. I'm not going to go into it fully here (if you want to explore it further and I hope you do, check out his book A Convergent Model of Renewal: Remixing the Quaker Tradition in a Participatory Culture or his recent Michener Seminar at Southeastern Yearly Meeting), but as I understand it, it is remaining faithful to the bedrock of our faith tradition while reinterpreting it (remixing) so it is hearable, usuable, and useful for today. He posits that "remixing" is what the early Friends did to revive their understanding of the spiritual vitality of primitive Christianity.

And now Wess is remixing in his position at Guilford. The good work of Friends Center and, especially its Quaker Leadership Scholars Program, was founded and grew thanks to the efforts of my dear friend (and Friend) Max Carter. It's been a joy to watch this program grow and prosper under Max's direction (and with the help of other friends/Friends like Frank Massey and Deborah Shaw). I've even had the good fortune to lead workshop or two there. Friends Center and QLSP made a huge difference in RSOF and in young adults' lives. Max's contributions can not be overstated (I only wish my own to the RSOF were anywhere as significant as his!). And his vital ministry to Friends continues (which is one of the fun things about retirement -- all the ministry without all the administration, budgeting, etc!).

I see Wess taking the bedrock of Friends Center's "tradition" and remixing it in ways that embrace that tradition and make it accessible in new ways to a new generation of students. I think that's grand. In the same way that it's grand that Gabe Ehri and the Friends Publishing folks have remixed Friends Journal, Marta Rusek and Dan Kasztelan are remixing communications at FGC and FUM, and on and on.

Part of what I believe is that we, as created in the image of God, are called to create -- and re-create. I see that happening around me and am grateful.

My prayer is that I can continue to celebrate the "re-creation" (remixing) even when it rubs up against my ideas about how things should be done. While I continue my ministry in new ways, freed from the constraints of having to earn a living, may I support those who are re-doing our ministry in new ways. To borrow an idea from the Bible -- "the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"  Well, the "old" (at least my personal part of it!) has not quite gone yet (and I hope it doesn't for awhile!), but I rejoice that the "new is here."

Why I Joined William Barber & the Poor People's Campaign

On Thursday I posted that I had just heard William Barber of the Poor People's Campaign (@UniteThePoor) and Moral Mondays issue a call for a moral revival of America. 

You can also watch it at https://youtu.be/Xqaln5eYfSo

I was so moved I joined the Poor People's Campaign and am supporting it financially, as well. William Barber talked about how the power structure of much of American politics is "mean" -- and hurting the poorest among us. He back his premise up with with facts and figures -- including the economic cost to our country of NOT helping "the least of these."

As he said, this is not a Republican issue or Democrat issue-- though my friends who are Republicans will probably not like some of strong words he has about the present administration and congressional leaders. And some of what he said could have been applied, in my opinion, about the Obama, Bush, and Clinton administrations. This is a moral issue for people of faith to consider.

I especially liked that he said that this must be a united movement -- not just about lifting the poor, but also working for women's rights, defeating racism, saving the environment, ensuring LBGQT rights and safety, working for peace, et al as these are all interrelated and each impacts the others. A house divided against itself cannot stand, as Lincoln said, and too much of America is divided. Those of us who are are concerned about the above must unite. We must work together -- and not overly criticize the methods and approaches we choose to undertake this task. I have friends who are very activist and "in-your-face" as they speak truth to power. I applaud and support them. That, though is not my call. I will work with the Poor People's Campaign and other efforts in gentler way. I want to speak truth to power -- but I want to do it love -- in a way that doesn't hurt my soul while still hopefully speaking to that of God in those of power.

Again, I agree with William Barber that this is not a Republican issue, a Democrat issue, a women's issue, an environmentalist issue, a men's issue, etc. It is an American issue -- calling us to remember the best vision of those who came before us for our country. I know we are a pluralistic society -- not exclusively Christian (not that we ever were!) -- but I do think the best vision of what the United States could be is In Matthew 5:14, when Jesus tells his listeners, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."

May we all work to be that light -- by following the Light and looking for that of God in others and ourselves. May God bless our efforts.

"Between the Lies" -- a Book Review

Between the Lies is Cynthia Graham's newest book, a contemporary Southern Gothic mystery set in the 1950s.

It tells the story of how Sheriff Hick Blackburn of Cherokee Crossing, Arkansas finds himself enmeshed in a case of a young Black man being railroaded for a crime that Blackburn's pretty sure the boy didn't commit -- but is in a town outside his jurisdiction. This is set in a few hot, humid July days in 1954. And more than the weather is hot and sticky. Graham's story deals with small town corruption and racism, the power and abuse of white privilege, political expediency, Jim Crow, family loyalty, and more.  She weaves all these together into a compelling tale well told.

The landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court declaring state laws that established "separate but equal" public schools for black and white students were unconstitutional figures prominently in Between the Lies. So does the burgeoning role of the U.S. Department of Justice in the field of civil rights (though the Department of Justice did not have a full division addressing civil rights until 1957).


Primarily, though, this is the story of one man and two towns coming to grips with insidious racism and corruption engendered by it. Broken Creek, Arkansas is not Mayberry, North Carolina. And Sheriff Earl Brewster is no Sheriff Andy Taylor. Broken Creek and Brewster are both dark -- even in the light of day. Perhaps even more so in the light of day.

Graham's story-line is tight and her characters are well-written and believable. Hick is a good guy who's flawed, Brewster is a baddie who you love to hate but who has some (hard to find) redeeming motivations, there's a Pulitzer seeking small town newspaper man, befuddled mostly good-hearted deputies, an earnest young female lawyer, parents trying to do their best for their children, moonshiners, compromised clergy, and more. Each character is integral to the story. There's not a wasted bit of dialogue and the story moves at a good pace.


I won't say more about the story-line. To do so would, I fear, ruin it for readers. Let me just say that this was a book that kept me reading. Though set in 1954, it has a lot to say to us today (without being preachy -- which it could have easily become). It held my interest all the way through. There were a number of things that I didn't see coming (always good in a mystery). And the ending was a mixture of relief, wondering, and sadness.

I am looking forward to reading more about Hick Blackburn. I like this man who struggles with his past and grows into his future.

"Eva": Peace. Humanity. Forgiveness. A Film You Must See

I went to a film premiere last evening. That's not something I often do. Peggy Tierney, a good friend and fellow Quaker, gave Nancy and me tickets to the premiere of "Eva," the story of a remarkable woman.

Nancy and I knew some of Eva Mozes Kor's story. We had visited her CANDLES Holocaust Museum in Terre Haute, Indiana where she met with us. And I'd read (and blurbed) her book Surviving the Angel of Death: The True Story of A Mengele Twin in Auschwitz published by my friend Peggy's Tanglewood Publishing. It's a powerful book for readers from 6th grade on through adult.

Despite this I was not prepared for the effect being at the premiere had on me.

At one level it was a very nice evening. I enjoyed seeing friends and learning more about the production of the film. And as the film progressed it was grand to see Peggy and her son Gabriel featured in the film, along with my rabbi friends Sandy and Dennis Sasso.

Peggy had told me that Gabriel's going with Eva to Auschwitz changed his life. It was good to hear him tell that story himself.  Gabriel was a natural on screen -- so composed, well-spoken, and passionate. My favorite line of his was, "Eva's a 4'9" badass!"

The Sassos both talked about how forgiveness is at the heart of Judaism (other theologians/rabbis in the film disagreed), citing the opening prayer of Yom Kippur. Sandy, though, noted that not everyone can pray it or forgive others of the sins committed against themselves. I especially appreciated her comments (as I recall them) about how criticizing others who can't forgive is not helpful or good. I certainly can understand why some of the victims feel unable to forgive. While I hope that I could, flawed as I am, I'm not certain I could.

The film, though certainly presenting Eva as a heroic figure, pulled no punches. She is portrayed not as a saint but as a real life woman who suffered horribly (her parents and two of her sisters were killed in the camp and her twin died as a result of Nazi "experiments" performed on her) and who eventually learned the power of forgiveness. The film shows Eva's life as an angry activist, pushing countries and media to search for Dr. Mengele, disrupting the "nice" Holocaust memorials (she was arrested at one in the US Capitol rotunda), and more. It tells how she came to forgive and why. The film also interviews other survivors who vehemently disapprove of her forgiveness stance. It showed Eva's work since to promote forgiveness, healing, and peace as the way this world needs to go. The film shows her moving from anger to love, all the while never forgetting what she and the others interred in those camps endured. She bears witness both to the evils and horrors of Nazi brutality and to the power of forgiveness.

This film shows how Eva models the truth of Quaker William Penn's statement, "Force may subdue, but love gains, and he that forgives first wins the laurel", the laurel, in Eva's case, being a release of the anger and bitterness that was consuming her. It is a story of triumph of the human spirit when it's empowered by reconciliation and forgiveness -- even in the face of the unforgivable.

Eva is a powerhouse -- and a scamp. She has a delightful sense of humor, speaks her mind (often without a filter), and feels she has lots of work still do (at 84). She gave remarks after the film and our Governor, Eric Holcomb, who also appears in the film presented her with a bouquet and a big hug (he's 6'6" -- so quite a contrast between the two).

This powerful film deserves a wide viewership. It will be in film festivals around the US and world and hopefully distributed to movie theaters and PBS stations (the producers and sponsor are working on distribution deals). It will be on WFYI-TV in Indianapolis on October 25.



The film's website says:

Eva Mozes Kor
At 10, she survived experiments by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele. 

At 50, she helped launch the biggest manhunt in history.
Now 83, after decades of pain and anger, she travels the world to promote what her life journey has taught:
Peace. Humanity. Forgiveness.

Peace. Humanity. Forgiveness. Three things this world so desperately needs. Thank you, Eva.

So What I Said Was: Jesus -- The April Fool

I did something foolish -- or at least unusual -- for Quakers yesterday. I preached from the lectionary at our local meeting. The reading was John 12:20-33. What follows comes from my study of that text -- thought it might not seem like it.

Easter falls on April 1 – April Fool’s Day. April 1^st is a day for joking around.  Which is one reason Nancy and I got married the day after April 1^st. This joking around is an old practice.  You see April Fool’s started almost five hundred years ago.  

In sixteenth-century France, the start of the new year was observed on April first.  New Year’s then was celebrated in much the same way as it is today with parties and dancing into the wee hours.  Then, in 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world.  In his calendar the new year fell on January first.  There were some people, however, who hadn't heard or didn't believe the change in the date, so they continued celebrating New Year's Day on April first.  Other people played tricks on them and called them "April fools." They sent them on "fool's errands" or tried to make them believe that something false was true.  In France today, April first is called "Poisson d'Avril."  French children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends' backs. When the "young fool" discovers this trick, the prankster yells "Poisson d'Avril!" (April Fish!) – which doesn’t have quite the same ring as “April Fool.”

April 1^st as a day of foolishness is celebrated around the world – with regional variations.  In Scotland, for example, April Fool's Day is actually celebrated for two days.  The second day is devoted to pranks involving the posterior.  So it is called “Taily Day.” 

All this foolishness comes to a head on April 1 – and I’m happy that it falls this year on Sunday.  Not because of the silliness (which we often call foolishness), but because of the real foolishness that God used that we remember at this time of year.  As 1 Corinthians 1:27 reminds us “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”

In no way is that more true then it is as we look toward Easter.  Easter centers around foolishness.  No, not human foolishness – though it may give us some comfort to think that way about Pilate, Herod, Judas, the “crucify him” crowd or even the thick headed disciples.  But the foolishness I’m thinking of is foolishness to the extreme – the folly of Jesus.  It may make us uncomfortable to think of him that way, but Jesus was the ultimate fool.  At least by the world’s standards. 

Think about it – what sane man would talk about being “one with the Father” and mean it?  What great teacher would joke about camels and eyes of needles or tell tales of foolish fathers who forgive even prodigal sons?  And what rational person would give himself up, not for his family or friends, but the very people who hated him and despised him?  As Paul writes to the Romans: “You see, …when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

What a fantastically foolish thing to do.  I doubt any of us can truly comprehend what doing this meant for Jesus.  David Citino, a poet, helped me to understand it a bit better when I read his poem “Situation No. 33:  The Feast”

You’re told the ingredients

have been assembled: for the sake of love,

wine and bread, fennel, honey and leeks;

laurel and bay to represent

your political importance and way with words;

a sampling of fabulous beasts and birds.

Fruits and meats to symbolize labor;

salt, the apple and lamb.

You’re told the entertainment

will consist of your slow dismemberment

to the pulse of bass drums,

the plodding cadence of Gregorian chant,

screams of your parents and children.

You’re told it will hurt

like nothing else, but after it’s over

your very best friends will take you

home with them and place you

on altars in the midst of music and yearning,

place you near fire, teach their children

to sing your name.

Do you accept?

The answer is intelligently clear – no, we do not accept.  What kind of fools do you take us for?  Fools like Christ?  Foolish, foolish Jesus.  His actions confound us to this day, if we really stop and think about them. 

Yes, “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;” – if we think we are wise.  The cosmic Christ comes out of chaos and creates everliving love – calling us home to the Father.  “Ally, ally in Free” he calls, “the rules are suspended.  No one is out.  No one is “it.”  Run home.  Run home.”  He is the “April Fool” of whom Noel Stookey sings:

April Fool

You wear your heart on your sleeve

And though they laugh when they leave

You call it Love and I believe (you)

April Fool

Why must you always play the clown?

You have the edge you laid it down

You give it up without a sound...

Oh April Fool

How can the say "love is cruel"?

They catch the ring but drop the jewel.

Like a teardrop in a pool...

April Fool

As the heart shows through the eyes

Before you were born you were recognized

And unto the losers comes their Prize.

Oh April Fool

Even as the hands were washed, you knew

We'd free the thief instead of you

April Fool

You said the Father was in You

You said we know not what we do

Forgive us...April Fool.

Who, indeed, is the true April Fool – the Christ who comes turning mourning into dancing, dying for his enemies, baking fish by the seaside for his friends, or us, so wise by the world’s standards, who guard what we have, repay slights with interest, and pray loud, but not so well?

Let us, when we arrive at this April Fool’s Day, remember the greatest Fool of all – the everliving Christ who comes dancing from the grave, who defeats death that we might live, who forgives all prodigals, who gives himself for others.  May we become, as Paul urges us, “Fool’s for Christ’s sake,” giving our lives for each other and Him.

And that is no joke.