I have been told that I am too serious and faulted for not being fun. It is true. I don't know how to have fun. My entire life has been full of serious pursuits. My work was serious ( 40 years of analyzing blood, bone marrow, tissues and body fluids in a clinical laboratory to provide diagnostic and treatment protocols for physicians). Being a chiropractic physician for a few years in the middle of all of that was serious. Raising children was serious. I guess some people have fun doing this, but I didn't know how to make that fun either. Being a Quaker has been a study of the serious for the past 25 years, reading the Bible, Quaker journals, articles and books. The title of my blog is serious (Holy Child of God). I chose it as a challenge both to myself as a reminder of its' truth and to others who only believe the misinterpretations in the KJV of "abomination".
When I retired almost three years ago, I had in mind that at some point I would do something useful for the world and volunteer either with hospice or as ombudsman for the state to monitor nursing homes. Again, serious pursuits. So far, I have not felt called to move in either of those directions. Now I am wondering if, in this part of my life, I should be pursuing joy or fun or whatever one calls it. It doesn't seem right when there is so much pain and suffering in the world to be pursuing joy instead of trying to relieve pain and suffering. It seems too selfish to me. On the other hand, I am sure that I am not lead in that direction at least for now, so maybe I need to be more open to joy, fun, etc. I just don't know where to begin. Maybe I could start with renaming my blog. Maybe call it In Pursuit of Joy and try to be more aware of possible openings for this.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
FWCC Section of the Americas Annual Meeting
Friends World Committee for Consultation
Section of the Americas
Annual Meeting
19 - 22 March 2009
Canby Oregon 97013
Two Friends from Africa, one from India and one from Australia were hosted at 2 potlucks by Multnomah Monthly Meeting in Portland, Oregon. One on the evening of 17 Mar 2009 for the meeting as a whole, and one at noon 18 Mar 2009 for the monthly seniors' potluck. At the evening session the Friends from Africa spoke of the connections that FWCC had with the African Yearly Meetings and the responses of Quakers to the fighting that broke out last year in Kenya. A question and answer period followed the potluck. These Friends had travelled many miles through many time zones and were visibly exhausted. I feel that hospitality requires that travelling Friends' physical needs should come before the requests of hosting Friends to endlessly require answers to questions that could be addressed after Friends have rested.
One audience member in particular ( I had never seen this person before and don't know how familiar she is with Friends) kept asking one of the African Friends what her mission here was and what she was doing for world peace.
I felt like standing up and helping the Friend from Africa out, as she seemed to struggle for an answer. I am not good at Quakerly responses so said nothing. On the way home I railed that it is too bad that someone didn't ask her what she was doing for world peace and that it was not all up to the woman that she had put on the spot. See what I mean by not being very Quakerly.
Today it came to me that perhaps I could have explained simply that Friends from various parts of the world were coming together for a conference this weekend. Maybe she really did not know this.
At the noon session I sat beside the Friend from India and we struck up a general conversation about family. He asked if I lived alone and I told him that I lived with my partner. He did not ask and I did not explain further. I wanted to ask if he knew of any GLBTQ Friends in India, but was afraid of the possible response. I wonder if I will ever find my voice. Sometimes I feel like Gigot in the film of that name. He was mute and upon seeing a child in the river and being unable to speak to summon help, the child drowned. Gigot runs into the church, looks up at the cross and pounds his chest in a silent but profound questioning of God for his absence of the ability to speak. This was one of Jackie Gleason's greatest performances and has stayed with me for decades as it is so meaningful to me. I am so envious of people who are articulate and quick with their responses.
Section of the Americas
Annual Meeting
19 - 22 March 2009
Canby Oregon 97013
Two Friends from Africa, one from India and one from Australia were hosted at 2 potlucks by Multnomah Monthly Meeting in Portland, Oregon. One on the evening of 17 Mar 2009 for the meeting as a whole, and one at noon 18 Mar 2009 for the monthly seniors' potluck. At the evening session the Friends from Africa spoke of the connections that FWCC had with the African Yearly Meetings and the responses of Quakers to the fighting that broke out last year in Kenya. A question and answer period followed the potluck. These Friends had travelled many miles through many time zones and were visibly exhausted. I feel that hospitality requires that travelling Friends' physical needs should come before the requests of hosting Friends to endlessly require answers to questions that could be addressed after Friends have rested.
One audience member in particular ( I had never seen this person before and don't know how familiar she is with Friends) kept asking one of the African Friends what her mission here was and what she was doing for world peace.
I felt like standing up and helping the Friend from Africa out, as she seemed to struggle for an answer. I am not good at Quakerly responses so said nothing. On the way home I railed that it is too bad that someone didn't ask her what she was doing for world peace and that it was not all up to the woman that she had put on the spot. See what I mean by not being very Quakerly.
Today it came to me that perhaps I could have explained simply that Friends from various parts of the world were coming together for a conference this weekend. Maybe she really did not know this.
At the noon session I sat beside the Friend from India and we struck up a general conversation about family. He asked if I lived alone and I told him that I lived with my partner. He did not ask and I did not explain further. I wanted to ask if he knew of any GLBTQ Friends in India, but was afraid of the possible response. I wonder if I will ever find my voice. Sometimes I feel like Gigot in the film of that name. He was mute and upon seeing a child in the river and being unable to speak to summon help, the child drowned. Gigot runs into the church, looks up at the cross and pounds his chest in a silent but profound questioning of God for his absence of the ability to speak. This was one of Jackie Gleason's greatest performances and has stayed with me for decades as it is so meaningful to me. I am so envious of people who are articulate and quick with their responses.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Gifts of the Spirit
AIG Execs Who Ruined Company To Get $165 Million In Bonuses
Source: www.huffingtonpost.com
AIG Execs Who Ruined Company To Get $165 Million In Bonuses - The Huffington Post
Does anyone else see this as I do as a misuse of the God given gift of Administration as listed in Luke 14:28-30; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Cor 12:25-31 ? The gift of Administration is described by C. Peter Wagner in his book Discover Your Spiritual Gifts as "...the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to understand clearly the immediate and long range goals of a particular unit of the Body and to devise and execute effective plans for the accomplishment of those goals." This gift is also defined by Kenneth Cain Kinghorn in his book Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts as "... a gift that enables one to provide leadership and guidance in matters of organization and administration. The administrator serves by recognizing and coordinating the abilities and gifts of other members of the group, institution, or church."
Of course it can be claimed that these spiritual gifts could be separated from human talents, but I believe that they are all God given and meant to be used for the common good of all and not for personal gain at the expense of others.
And this from William Penn:
Government seems to me a part of religion itself, a thing sacred in its institution and ends. ... And government is free to the people under it, whatever be the frame, where the laws rule and the people are a party to those laws; and more than this is tyranny, oligarchy, or confusion. ... As governments are made and moved by men, so by them they are ruined too. Wherefore governments rather depend upon men than men upon governments. Let men be good, and the government cannot be bad. If it be ill, they will cure it. But if men be bad, let the government be ever so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn.
- William Penn, "First Frame of Government", 1682
Source: www.huffingtonpost.com
AIG Execs Who Ruined Company To Get $165 Million In Bonuses - The Huffington Post
Does anyone else see this as I do as a misuse of the God given gift of Administration as listed in Luke 14:28-30; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Cor 12:25-31 ? The gift of Administration is described by C. Peter Wagner in his book Discover Your Spiritual Gifts as "...the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to understand clearly the immediate and long range goals of a particular unit of the Body and to devise and execute effective plans for the accomplishment of those goals." This gift is also defined by Kenneth Cain Kinghorn in his book Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts as "... a gift that enables one to provide leadership and guidance in matters of organization and administration. The administrator serves by recognizing and coordinating the abilities and gifts of other members of the group, institution, or church."
Of course it can be claimed that these spiritual gifts could be separated from human talents, but I believe that they are all God given and meant to be used for the common good of all and not for personal gain at the expense of others.
And this from William Penn:
Government seems to me a part of religion itself, a thing sacred in its institution and ends. ... And government is free to the people under it, whatever be the frame, where the laws rule and the people are a party to those laws; and more than this is tyranny, oligarchy, or confusion. ... As governments are made and moved by men, so by them they are ruined too. Wherefore governments rather depend upon men than men upon governments. Let men be good, and the government cannot be bad. If it be ill, they will cure it. But if men be bad, let the government be ever so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn.
- William Penn, "First Frame of Government", 1682
Friday, March 6, 2009
FALSE WITNESS
SPOTLIGHT ON
Ken Starr
The dean of Pepperdine University's School of Law is arguing before the California Supreme Court in defense of Prop. 8.
Starr argues against gay families by claiming that there are "substantial adverse consequences for children that often flow from alternative household arrangements.
Isn't this a case of FALSE WITNESS against your neighbor? This was important enough to be among the ten commandments. Witness is very powerful and very difficult to defend against. False witness is what led to the crucifixion of Jesus.
Ken Starr
The dean of Pepperdine University's School of Law is arguing before the California Supreme Court in defense of Prop. 8.
Starr argues against gay families by claiming that there are "substantial adverse consequences for children that often flow from alternative household arrangements.
Isn't this a case of FALSE WITNESS against your neighbor? This was important enough to be among the ten commandments. Witness is very powerful and very difficult to defend against. False witness is what led to the crucifixion of Jesus.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
More Reflections on FLGBTQC Mid Winter Gathering
13-16 Feb 2009
at Camp Adams
Mollala Oregon
For the first time FLGBTQC, in the epistle, is asking Friends to walk with us. What would this look like? This arose out of meeting for worship with attention to business due to the concern that FCG would be holding the summer gathering in the state of Virginia which has recently passed a law against same sex marriage. It is of grave concern to same sex married Friends who are legally married in another state, but must worry that if they become ill in Virginia, their spouse may not be allowed access or have a say in treatment. I was affected by a related situation 6 years ago.
My partner of 27 years and I were the first same sex couple to have our relationship taken under the care of Multnomah Monthly Meeting in Portland Oregon in 1989, 13 years into our relationship. We raised our children together, my son was 14 and her daughter 8 when we first got together. We each had 2 grandchildren and had grandparents night every Friday night for about 3 years when they stayed overnight with us and enjoyed many activities together and then she was diagnosed with lymphoma. She died 7 months later. It has been almost 6 years and the bitterness of having to worry about insurance and other financial problems instead of focusing on her dying will forever remain. My employer did not have domestic partner benefits. Her insurance continued for a time, but when she was no longer able to work there was no more insurance. When she died, I was not considered to be the next of kin under Oregon law so her daughter had to sign for her cremation. Then her ashes were in the trunk of her daughter's car and then in her closet instead of being in the home that we shared for 27 years until her family and I all met at the coast to disperse her ashes as she had requested. For Friends to have walked with me would have meant that they were with me in my situation, to have helped to bear my burden and sorrow. It is true that Friends provided meals for several weeks near the end of her life for which I will be forever grateful, but it seemed that no one really wanted or knew how to be with the situation.
I hope and pray and work for the day that it will be better for LGBTQ F(f)riends in the future.
at Camp Adams
Mollala Oregon
For the first time FLGBTQC, in the epistle, is asking Friends to walk with us. What would this look like? This arose out of meeting for worship with attention to business due to the concern that FCG would be holding the summer gathering in the state of Virginia which has recently passed a law against same sex marriage. It is of grave concern to same sex married Friends who are legally married in another state, but must worry that if they become ill in Virginia, their spouse may not be allowed access or have a say in treatment. I was affected by a related situation 6 years ago.
My partner of 27 years and I were the first same sex couple to have our relationship taken under the care of Multnomah Monthly Meeting in Portland Oregon in 1989, 13 years into our relationship. We raised our children together, my son was 14 and her daughter 8 when we first got together. We each had 2 grandchildren and had grandparents night every Friday night for about 3 years when they stayed overnight with us and enjoyed many activities together and then she was diagnosed with lymphoma. She died 7 months later. It has been almost 6 years and the bitterness of having to worry about insurance and other financial problems instead of focusing on her dying will forever remain. My employer did not have domestic partner benefits. Her insurance continued for a time, but when she was no longer able to work there was no more insurance. When she died, I was not considered to be the next of kin under Oregon law so her daughter had to sign for her cremation. Then her ashes were in the trunk of her daughter's car and then in her closet instead of being in the home that we shared for 27 years until her family and I all met at the coast to disperse her ashes as she had requested. For Friends to have walked with me would have meant that they were with me in my situation, to have helped to bear my burden and sorrow. It is true that Friends provided meals for several weeks near the end of her life for which I will be forever grateful, but it seemed that no one really wanted or knew how to be with the situation.
I hope and pray and work for the day that it will be better for LGBTQ F(f)riends in the future.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
FLGBTQC Mid Winter Gathering
FLGBTQC Mid Winter Gathering
13-16 Feb 2009
at Camp Adams
Mollala Oregon
The Spirit was very much with this gathering. Many came from hundreds and some from thousands of miles to be together with Friends who would know us in more aspects of ourselves than are perhaps known in any other group.
It is reassuring to be among Friends who know that we too are holy children, are created in God's image, and are beloved by God. As Peter came to realize, God sees through all outward appearance to the spiritual beings that we are at our eternal core.
Acts 10:34-35 (Amplified Bible)
34And Peter opened his mouth and said: Most certainly and thoroughly I now perceive and understand that God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons,
35But in every nation he who venerates and has a reverential fear for God, treating Him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly, is acceptable to Him and sure of being received and welcomed [by Him].
13-16 Feb 2009
at Camp Adams
Mollala Oregon
The Spirit was very much with this gathering. Many came from hundreds and some from thousands of miles to be together with Friends who would know us in more aspects of ourselves than are perhaps known in any other group.
It is reassuring to be among Friends who know that we too are holy children, are created in God's image, and are beloved by God. As Peter came to realize, God sees through all outward appearance to the spiritual beings that we are at our eternal core.
Acts 10:34-35 (Amplified Bible)
34And Peter opened his mouth and said: Most certainly and thoroughly I now perceive and understand that God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons,
35But in every nation he who venerates and has a reverential fear for God, treating Him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly, is acceptable to Him and sure of being received and welcomed [by Him].
Thursday, December 25, 2008
2008 12 25
THE 1st DAY of CHRISTMAS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Days_of_Christmas
We have been snowbound for the better part of 2 weeks now. Actually, I have been pleased about this as it has slowed down the frenzy and excess that characterizes our modern Christmas. In my childhood (the 1940's and 1950's) we had our family Christmas on the 25th and then visited grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins during the following week which was still Christmas.
In the 1990's we had a few Christmases when adults watched as children tore into piles of presents and then sat back and asked "is that all?" or "are there more?". No one said thank you, they didn't even know who gave them what. They didn't take the time to recognize from whom each present was given. This took something away from them even more than the adults. The chance to be thankful and appreciative of what they had.
This year no one is able to get out, so we will be going to see my grandchildren later in the week, possibly the 4th day of Christmas, which feels more right to me. Having everything happen in one day, all of the visiting and present opening is exhausting. It is much better spread out for the 12 days. It is strange that our culture will recognize the 8 days of Hanukkah, the 7 days of Kwanzaa, but not the 12 days of Christmas. We are taking our turkey dinner to our 86 year old neighbor's house as her daughter is unable to get there. We will enjoy a leisurely present opening when we get back home. We will enjoy grandchildren opening presents from us at a slower pace and take time to ponder the true meaning of the 12 days of Christmas.
THE 1st DAY of CHRISTMAS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Days_of_Christmas
We have been snowbound for the better part of 2 weeks now. Actually, I have been pleased about this as it has slowed down the frenzy and excess that characterizes our modern Christmas. In my childhood (the 1940's and 1950's) we had our family Christmas on the 25th and then visited grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins during the following week which was still Christmas.
In the 1990's we had a few Christmases when adults watched as children tore into piles of presents and then sat back and asked "is that all?" or "are there more?". No one said thank you, they didn't even know who gave them what. They didn't take the time to recognize from whom each present was given. This took something away from them even more than the adults. The chance to be thankful and appreciative of what they had.
This year no one is able to get out, so we will be going to see my grandchildren later in the week, possibly the 4th day of Christmas, which feels more right to me. Having everything happen in one day, all of the visiting and present opening is exhausting. It is much better spread out for the 12 days. It is strange that our culture will recognize the 8 days of Hanukkah, the 7 days of Kwanzaa, but not the 12 days of Christmas. We are taking our turkey dinner to our 86 year old neighbor's house as her daughter is unable to get there. We will enjoy a leisurely present opening when we get back home. We will enjoy grandchildren opening presents from us at a slower pace and take time to ponder the true meaning of the 12 days of Christmas.
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