reyes-chow :: FAITH

Canadians can sing and Presbyterians can walk

Quick, here are three ways to let your voice be heard in some very random ways.

VOTE FOR LAURELL
A few months ago, MBCC and The Rock had the pleasure of hosting Laurell Hubick for worship and a little hanging out time.  It was a great deal of fun, she was a joy to get to know AND she could SANG!  I was most impressed by her lyrics which touch upon some great themes and make bold statements.  We still listen to your CD's and hope that she does well.  This AM I received a note from her Facebook Group asking for us to vote for her as part of a Canadian unsigned-artist thing.

laurell is currently competing for a $25,000 prize on redpipe.ca and needs your help! every day you're allowed to vote for her to continue in the competition... by voting you're not only helping her, but also entering yourself to win prizes for yourself as well! win-win, that's what we like! so tell all your friends and family to get on board too, the more the merrier . . . remember to vote every day and help laurell :) . . . voting lasts until may 31st.

VOTE HERE
Laurell's Website

SF AIDS WALK
As you know many of us have been part of the "Presbyterians Fighting AIDS" team representin' the Presby's at the the annual event.  This year it takes place on July 20th and we are hoping to get 100 people registered so we can get one of the BIG tables for the BBQ and gathering space.  Please take five minutes to register even if you may not be able to walk.  Register every member of your household, family pets, etc. as we know people will tend to show up late in the process so may not be counted by the time they assign tables.  Also please pass this along to your churches and get them connected with this great public witness.  If you have any questions you can contact the main organizer, Marcus Jung, [marcauditor at juno dot com]. Okay so what are you waiting for, please REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!

There are a couple of "Mock Elections" as part of my Moderator Journey.  They don't really mean much in the end, but if you need just one more excuse to let your voice be heard - or waste just a few more minutes online - feel free to play.  Not sure what we get if we win these elections, but I am hoping for one of these.  Also, if you are going to be a General Assembly and want to be part of the on-site team or can take a shift in the booth, please let me know.  The more the merrier!

• Presbyterians for Renewal GA2008 Site [VOTE HERE]
• John Shuck's Blog [VOTE HERE]

Too bad if you disagree with those darn kidz

There as a really good article published this last week in the SF Gate, "Millenial Generation" set to rock the vote, where a case was made that largest generation in American History is driving the presidential election and will drive the future of our political culture.

Unlike their Boomer parents - those millions of 50- and 60-something activists born of protest and conflict who accept politics as a blood sport - the younger generation has come of age in an era of burgeoning new technologies providing tangible evidence of the promise of change.

"Unlike the conservative Gen-Xers who preceded them, or the harshly divided Baby Boomer Generation, the Millennials are united across gender and race in their desire to find win-win solutions to America's problems," Winograd and Hais write.

I was talking with my someone about this and they were saying that they just didn't agree with the generation's worldview - okay he didn't use the word, "worldview," but that's what he meant - so he just didn't think that was the way things should go.

I responded that the article was not saying that this was a choice.  The article was saying that it does not matter if we agree with it or not.  It is happening. This generations is driving the future of our society and that we now have to figure out how to respond, engage and embrace the new day.  Part of that process will certainly need to include discerning where we should be counter-cultural, but for the most part, we need to develop a way adapt.

Good times.

I watch AI and I don't care what you think ;-)

Okay, so many of you know that I am big American Idol fan.  Without trying to defend myself from the mocking that has been and will continue to be launched my way by those who drink haterade for fun, here are my picks for this year based on nothing more than, "I like them."

I KNOW there are more out there who also watch the AI. 
Out yourselves if you dare.

For the men // David Cook

For the Women // Ramiele Malubay

Watch out for // Carly Smithson


Sorry she is gone // Kady Malloy

Glad he is gone // Danny Noriega


My all-time fav American Idol // Ruben Studdard

I voted today, did you?

Just in case you don't see in mirror vision, it says, "I voted" which I did.  And fully understanding the importance of the secret ballot, I also think that unless one fears bodily harm or social retribution, one should also stand up and out for one's vote.

So here is this "one's" voting card with the ones that I think are the most important and/or controversial.  You all are on your own for the rest.

Mayor: Gavin Newsom // A liberal democrat in any other town, pretty telling that no one, even his biggest critics could muster up any kind of candidacy.

District Attorney: Kamala Harris // Rock Star in a good way, get ready to begin the Kamala for Mayor chants now.

Measure A: YES - Parking is hard in the city, but we are in the city.  Limit those parking spaces.

Measure E: NO - This is just a plain ole waste of time.  Newsflash, we are NOT parliament!

Measure H: NO - Really, more parking lots and spaces?  Sorry, this driver says no no no!

Measure J: YES - Free city-wide wi-fi?  Yes, many things to work out, but should this even be a question?