reyes-chow :: FAITH

Vagina Monologues at PSR

One of our Seminary Interns is producing this event.  If you have not seen Vagina Monologues, don't miss it!

V-DAY PSR 2008
A 2008 V-Day Campaign Event to Stop Violence Against Women and Girls 

 
A Production of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues
JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE V-DAY’S TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY, RAISE AWARENESS and end violence against women.

February 12, 2008
7:30pm, doors open at 7:00pm
Pacific School of Religion Chapel of the Great Commission
1798 Scenic Ave. Berkeley
Email for tickets // 20$ Suggested, Sliding Scale

Proceeds Benefit San Francisco Networking Ministries SafeHouse

"Spellbinding, funny, and almost unbearably moving . . . it is both a work of art and an incisive piece of cultural history, a poem and a polemic, a performance and a balm and a benediction."          —Variety

V DAY IS A GLOBAL MOVEMENT TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS. V-DAY PSR IS SPONSORED LOCALLY BY CAPSR

10 Minutes to remember dreams unmet and dreams realized

This morning, our family listed to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech delivered in Washington DC on August 28, 1963.  After listening to this again, it reminds of how far things have come, but how far we still have to go.

Immigration and Municipal ID Cards in San Francisco

Over the past few months I have had the privilege of sitting with some dedicated and thoughtful activists, community organizers and people of faith around the issues of immigration in San Francisco and national-wide.

A pretty grassroots kind of group called together by the FAITHS Program of the SF Foundation, the focus of our conversations have been mainly about the New Sanctuary Movement.  Today we talked a little bit about the Municipal ID Card proposal that the SF Board of Supervisors is considering.

Obviously immigration issues are complex regardless of one's political leanings - or at least they should be acknowledged as so - but when we begin to really allow our faith to influence our actions, clarity becomes real.  In the case of the currrent climate of immigration, I am firmly planted on the side of justice and compassion when it comes to the ways we deal with the "aliens in our midst."  For me there are just too many biblical mandates that compel me to be on the side of the newcomer, the outcast, the poor . . .

So what do I do?  I go to meetings to show solidarity with those who are on the front lines.  I try to integrate some messages of justice in ways that are effective at MBCC and try to consistently live my beliefs.  But is that enough?  Am I just finding ways to stay within my own comfort zones, while claiming solidarity?  Compared to some I am stepping way out and to others, I am just another hipster poser progressive.  They are both right in many ways and so wrong in others.  Thus the dilemma of the middle-class progressive Christian here in San Francisco. *sigh*

I'll keep trying, act when called, show my solidarity, yada yada yada . . . and in the mean time, here is some info on a Hearing that is taking place regarding the San Francisco Municipal ID Card.  For more info, please visit Comite de vivienda San Pedro - St. Peter's Housing Committee.  And if you wish to be part of this SF gathering of folks, let me know and I'll get you in touch with the organizers.

ID MUNICIPAL // ¡Todos tenemos el derecho a una identidad!

El ID Municipal:

• Dará un ID gubernamental con foto para todos que viven en San Francisco, sin importar su estado migratorio.
• Mejorará acceso a servicios disponibles a inmigrantes.

¡Identificación para todos en una ciudad santuaria!
La Ciudad de San Francisco reclama ser una ciudad santuario. Nosotros tenemos que alzar nuestra voz para que se haga realidad. Este ID es una manera que la ciudad reconozca a sus residentes sin importar su raza, genero, sexualidad o estado inmigratorio. Trabajamos y vivimos en esta ciudad y merecemos una identidad.

Exija un ID
Venga a la Audiencia
Miércoles, 24 de octubre 2007
1 de la tarde
en la Alcaldía

MUNICIPAL ID // We all have a right to an identity!

The Municipal ID will:

• Give a photo government issued ID for all San Franciscans, regardless of immigration status.
• Improve access to available services.

Identification for all in a sanctuary city!
The City of San Francisco claims to be a sanctuary city. We need to make our voices heard to make that a reality. This ID is a way for our city to recognize its residents regardless of race, gender, sexuality or immigration status. We live and work in this city and we deserve an identity.

Demand an ID!  Come to a Hearing!
Weds., October 24th 2007
1 pm @ SF  City Hall

Random Ministry Links for a Random Day

Here are a few events and things that might catch your fancy!

From Clue CA // The New Sanctuary Movement
Wednesday, September 18, 9:00-11:00
Hosanna Celebration Center formerly Central United Methodist Church
754 14th Street, San Francisco CA 94114.
Facebook Invitation and Group
If you are in the SF Area and want to find out more about this growing movement to address concerns about immigration and the current climate, Please consider joining us that AM.  I'll be there, so let me know if you can make it and we can grab lunch afterwards.
CLUE - Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, California

Seattle EM Congregation Seeks Pastor
I received an email from a PC(USA) pastor who somehow connected through another pastor that I know via the blogosphere telling me about what sounds like a great church in Seattle.  The position is an Associate for EM at the Korean United Presbyterian Church of Seattle. They would prefer PC(USA) ordained and Asian American, but are very open and flexible . . . that whole Holy Spirit thing!   
[Church Information Form]

Looking 100 Years into the Horizon
I can always count on Bob Carlton, to keep the imagination juices flowing.  I received this note this AM about joining a "Grid Blog" on September 25th about what our world will look like in 100 years.  I think I'll join in.  To find out more about this particular "Horizon's" Grid blog, the history of them and to connect with a gosh darn good guy, visit Bob's post on the Corner.

Have a great day!

A special place in hell

As seen on a Starbuck's cup . . .

"There's a special place in hell for women who don't support each other."
Madeline Albright

Men this does let us off the hook . . . there is an even MORE special place for those who intentionally or unintentionally create a world where the support is needed.

Silence about Christians held hostage by Taliban

What the HECK!  I would like to use stronger language.

Why does it seems like the only people talking about the hostages in Afghanistan are Asian American folks? That is probably not totally fair, but I think the post Silence in the Godblogosphere is deafening tells the truth as these Korean Christian missionaries have been held captive for now 11 days with two having been confirmed killed.  Michelle Malkin is writing and there are a handful of others who have blogged, but the mainstream media has been noticeably silent.

This story is HEART-BREAKING on so many levels and thanks to Eugene Cho we are getting some serious info.  Thanks Eugene.  But we should be ashamed at the lack uproar and support from the church.

Is this the time to questions why?  Is it because they are not American, probably.  Does the whole Christian thing make it complicated, sure.  Are there other atrocities being ignored every day, of course.  But still, this should be bigger than it is.  Would the same silence be had if it were a British or Canadian group?  It seems like the same old thing again, not American, not sexy, not enough juice.  Is it that the media doesn't believe that this story would sell papers and if that is true we as a society officially do just suck.

So . . . in your church, on your blog, in your conversations, we must life up our prayers, at least keep these folks in the front of our minds as to not forget what they have done in the name of their faith.

DJ Chuang has a much less ranty reflection with some great resources, but if you really want to keep up with what is going on subscribe to Eugene's blog.

To keep up with what is going on you can continue to read the tidbit from US media outlets, or check out the in depth commentary and up-to-date happenings on English versions of the Korean papers: Chosun Ilbo or Hankyoreh.

San Francisco AIDS Walk

Yet another great year for the SF AIDS Walk with 4.5 Million buckaroonies being raised to help fund the fight against AIDS.  What a great experience to walk for such a great cause.  The "Presbyterians Fighting AIDS" team raised a good deal of many ourselves.  While the count is still not official, we are looking at about 3k raised by our crew via online and cash donations.  The RCP Crew is still taking donations - finishing 2nd or 3rd in the big challenge - so feel free to contribute.  Also a special thanks to Marc who organizes this crew each year!

You can see more of my pics HERE, but the REALLY good ones are HERE.

A Christian Perspective on Homosexuality

Not sure why I am entering this discussion as I know I am inviting who knows what into my blog-life.  I am not bored, I am not looking for a fight, I am not looking to hold some kind of banner, I don't really know why.

Maybe . . . it is because I challenged people this Sunday to step up in the face of danger even when we know someone else will [podcast].  I guess, if I can't live it, who am I to challenge folks to?
Maybe . . . it is because a good blog-friend and pastoral colleague is smack dab in the middle of a 250+ comment firestorm around his recent interactions around homosexuality and the church. [Gay Conversation Post].  While we are on different sides of the fence on this one, I appreciate his willingness to engage with deep faith, pastoral care and human civility.
Maybe . . . it is because I am a victim of cultural shifts: right, wrong, conscious, unconscious, enlightened, relativist, whatever. [The Decline of Intolerance of Gays Post]. But aren't we all?
Maybe . . . it is because there are too many people - friends, congregants, family and colleagues, not to mention those I do not even know - whom I love, respect and value so it feels wrong to judge their sexual-orientation as sinful.

I have posted on this before about where I stand personally and pastorally [MBCC Conversations Post]- like I can separate the two - but I wanted to further add expand some of what I think on this particular conversation.

A few disclaimers:

• I realize that I have the privilege of not being the target of the sexual orientation "Debate."  My relative vested interested is purely relational and is some ways intellectual.  I see this not as a reason NOT to engage, but an obligation and responsibility NOT to remain silent. 
• I know that I am in many ways adding to the diverted energies of the church and at some point, we may just  need to get over one another, go our separate ways and hope beyond hope that God uses even diametrically opposed sides of many "issues" to do some good things.
• This is huge and I must believe that most people come to some place of understanding with great faith and integrity and I hope to simply add to the discourse in some small way. 
• I could be wrong and I am OK with sitting in the midst of not always knowing, though my first disclaimer allows me to do this.

Some of what goes on my Bruce's head:

The fundamental dilemma . . . is where one places homosexuality itself.  At the core of the debate is where or not one considered homosexuality a sin or a natural God-created trait.  I obviously hold the latter way of thinking.   Much like race - and this is a huge debate in the brown community - I see sexual orientation as the same created gift as gender and race.  I think as long as it is still seen as a SIN, the "love the sinner, hate the sin" is simply a friendly gesture to maintain some facade of civility.  Yes, you are not screaming for outright violence, but there is still a message of division that is shared.  On the other hand, if one does NOT think homosexuality is a sin, then one engages differently and focuses on what I would consider more shared human areas of brokenness: poverty, oppression, violence, etc.

The Bible is clear as mud . . . on this and a great many aspects of our faith.  I feel that many folks - on both sides - pick and choose what to take as "literal Word of God" and what to approach with "Interpretive license."  Even being the postmodern that I am, I do not think you can have it both ways, or at least do so with any much certainty and integrity.  I think there is too much danger for us to then use the Bible as weapon and proof-texter even more than we already do.  While much more difficult to do the interpretive work around scripture, I think it yields a greater understanding of God when we answer the questions, "Why does God's word say this?" and "What does this mean for us today?"  rather that live with a false certainly of  "God's Word says THIS" so "THIS is the right and only way."  This approach is not a shallow way to explain away things we do not like, but a faithful way to engage with and discover the TRUTH of God as it is communicated to us through the wonderful complexity of the Bible . . . TNIV of course.

Politics and Religion do mix . . . and I have never been able to really understand how we - PC(USA) Statemetns on Sexual Orientation - can stand in solidarity around civil rights, but then in our own house, deny ordination to the very same people.  Again, maybe modern of me, but how can we affirm a group of people at the same level as race, gender, age in a civil setting but then deny this same group the ecclesiastical rights of that very same group?  But yet we do . . .

And on Marriage . . . somewhat related to my approach to scripture, lets make no mistake that marriage "between a man and woman" in the current debate is not about Biblical or historical interpretation, but about a modern day institution that has somehow become the penultimate virtue and goal of the Christian faith.  Not that I am advocating Biblical marriage models such as polygamy, adultery, concubine-holding, etc.  I am simply advocating a more honest approach to this modern-day, legislated, legalistic institution of marriage.  Unless you are Catholic, marriage is NOT a sacrament, clergy perform services on behalf of the state and the church should be more focused on developing and nurturing a couple's spiritual commitment than putting so much energy to deny a couple's legal status.

So there you have it.  Some thoughts for now.  I hope that this helps in the conversation.  If you want to talk more, lets grab coffee!  Also, while there are many many books out there by folks much smarter than I, the one I am suggesting at these days is: Jack Roger's, Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church

You still won't be Asian, but it'll help

Two items for your calendar

NATIONAL TOWN HALL ON HATE CRIMES: REMEMBERING VINCENT CHIN
June 27, 6:30 PM
Co-sponsored by Chinese Historical Society
Chinese For Affirmative Action
17 Walter U Lum Place
(across from Portsmouth Sqare; on Clay between Grant Ave and Kearny St.)

• SPECIAL SHOWING: "Who Killed Vincent Chin" Documentary
• SPEAKERS:
  • Helen Zia (author and activist)
  • Honorable Yvonne Lee (Member of the SF Police Commission and former Commissioner of the President's Commission on Civil Rights)
  • Malcolm Yeung (Staff Attorney, Asian Law Caucus)
  • Kavneet Singh (Managing Director, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund

  In June 1982, Chinese American Vincent Chin was killed in Detroit by two white autoworkers, one of whom had been recently been laid off. This hate crime, motivated by anti-Japanese sentiments, served as a rallying cry for the Asian American community and is often considered the beginning of a pan-Asian American movement.

Twenty five years later, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress and local partners around the country look back in time and assess where we are now. With recent high-profile attacks on Asian Americans in New York, Michigan and Wisconsin, APAP is organizing a series of events throughout the nation around the anniversary of Vincent's murder. Each event will include a special screening of the Academy-Award nominated documentary, "Who Killed Vincent Chin?" and panels with local community leaders.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO AND I'LL ADD YOU TO THE INVITE LIST.

SPIKE TV BRUCE LEE MOVIE MARATHON (h/t: Adam Finley)

This Sunday, the 24th, set your TIVO for some classic Bruce Lee.

• 1:00pm: Game of Death
• 3:00pm: Fist of Fury
• 8:00pm: Enter the Dragon
• 10:30pm: Dragon: the Bruce Lee Story

My first three Kiva Loans

Okay, so maybe I am slow on the whole microloan thing, but I FINALLY made my first loans through Kiva.org.  In no way does this assuage my guilt/responsibility over issues of wealth, but it does feel pretty good to know that by loaning our just a small portion of our wealth, we could help someone else build their business and a better way of life.  Here are the three loans projects that I helped to fund:

1. Mrs. Sboung Chrip, Cambodia
   Mrs. Sboung Chrip is 50 years old and lives with her husband and five children in Kampong Cham, Cambodia. Chrip and her husband work together growing vegetables and can each make about $4 per day. The couple has five children; one of them helps Chrip and her husband with their farming activities, while two work in a nearby garment factory and the other two are students. They hope to use this loan to purchase a small piece of land so that they can expand their farming activities. In the future, they would like to buy even more land--and perhaps even hire employees--so that they can further expand their business. Eventually, they hope that they can send their children to university.
2. Mrs. Chim Sola, Cambodia
   Mrs. Chim Sola is 48 years old, and she runs a small business of renting out rooms to garment factory workers. She earns about $9/day in this business, and her husband contributes $2/day which he earns working as a motor taxi driver. Chim Sola and her husband support 6 children--4 of whom work at a garment factory. She will use this loan to build a home with four or five new rooms for rent. Over time, she hopes to save enough money to reinvest in her business and make it much larger.
3. Khuraman Bayaliyeva, Azerbaijan
   Khuraman Bayaliyeva lives in Beylagan and sells women's clothes from a small booth she rents in the Beylagan city bazaar. Her husband helps her buy the clothes she sells there. During 2001-2006, Khuraman took out 6 loans from Normicro Beylagan Branch totaling $2500. Now she is asking for a loan of $1000 to expand the range of goods she offers for sale.

We'll see how this goes.