Widening the Welcome 2 -- 4

And then the conference was over.

With a rousing . . . contemplative . . . and moving worship service, we ended the 2nd national conference of the Widening the Welcome movement in the United Church of Christ.

Some highlights -- from today and overall.

Leading music at this powerful event has been a thrill.  I have enjoyed, immensely, encouraging, leading, sharing, and teaching the music of Widening the Welcome.  There have been so many gracious and kind folk here and your kind words have warmed my heart.  If you're in need of someone to come and help lead music at an event you're holding -- please get in contact!
Here's the list of the songs we've shared at this conference

• I am Welcome - Bryan Sirchio
• Precious Lord, Take My Hand - Thomas A Dorsey
• Draw the Circle Wide - Gordon Light
• God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale - Jaroslav J. Vajda
• Where Justice Rolls Down - Rick Carlson, Michael Pearce Donley, and Bob Stromberg
• Lord, Listen to your Children Praying - Ken Medema
• The Neighborhood Song  - Mister Rogers
• Oh Clap Your Hands - Bob Stromberg
• Amazing Grace - John Newton
• God of the Water and Land  - Sara Kay
• More Light - Christopher Grundy
• Born This Way - Lady Gaga
• Kum Ba Yah
• Jesus Loves Me
• A Prayer - Bill Green
• Buffalo Boy
• I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me
• The Household of God - John Evans-Klock and Peter Sykes
• Standing in the Need of Prayer (It's Me, Oh Lord)
• Offering (I Will)  Andra Moran and Ben Harper
• One Spirit of Love - Paul B. Svenson
• Deep and Wide
• You Can Smile
• Come to the Feast - Christopher Grundy

The presentations by Tom Reynolds continue to keep me thinking, wrestling, considering, pondering, and percolating.  As an advocate of inclusion and welcome that does not have any evidence of a system of power (who is welcoming?  Who is including?) Tom is, I think, helping the Widening the Welcome movement grow from one of widening to one of widening the welcome and deepening relationships. He's also a wicked-good piano player.

The presence and support of the national ministries of the United Church of Christ.  The UCC Mental Illness Network and UCC Disabilities Ministries, with support Local Church Ministries and Justice and Witness Ministry are sponsors and supporters of this movement.  And the presence and participation of many from the national offices have shown how important this movement is.  Ben Guess, Executive Minister for Local Church Ministries, summed it up well in his closing keynote address.  "We need this in the United Church of Christ!"

Education, encouragement, and  challenge - I loved the workshops I attended.  I heard great things about the ones I missed while I was attending others.  The leaders of the workshops brought with them excellent skills, encouraging stories, and great resources.  You can order CD (workshops) and DVD (keynotes) recordings right now at the Florian Audio Visual Site.

Friendships.  I reconnected with several friends and appreciate the conversations, encouragement, and simple presence.  I also made new friends and I'm encouraged that our relationships will grow.

Kind words and comments.
Listen to some of these -- "I learned so much! I really didn't know much and everyone was so welcoming!"  "There is so much to share - from theology of disability to sharing or story on a heart level." "The music was great - it made things real." "I'm still chewing on this. Several talks inspire me to want to have further conversations." and "This spirit needs to get taken to, invited in, and implemented in every congregation!"

What's next?  The planning team is getting together to work on that. In the meantime -- keep widening the welcome -- and deepening relationships!

PS -- here's a list of conference quotes I posted today --
"Access to all, for all, by all -- I don't know what acronym fits that!" Tom Reynolds
"Vulnerability is not a flaw, but a fact. It is shared by us all." Tom Reynolds
"Full personhood is not diminished by disability nor confirmed by ability." Tom Reynolds
"There is in the end no hard & fast line between ability & disability- but rather a dynamic of reciprocity" Tom Reynolds
"A2A is an evangelism movement. It is a good news movement. Widening the welcome and deepening relationships." Ben Guess
"When we talk about widening the welcome we mean more than a Howdy - more than a pat on the back." Ben Guess
"We need this in the United Church of Christ" Ben Guess

Widening the Welcome 2 -- 3

What a day!

Highlights too many to list completely, but they include great conversations, inspiring workshops, continued great food, fun times with songs, and mind-stretching speakers.

Let me elaborate:

Yesterday's songs included those by Lady Gaga, John Newton, Gordon Light, John Evns-Klock, Sarah Kay, and Bill Green, in addition -- we sang songs best described as "campfire favorites" and "that's just too silly to sing."  Tom Reynolds played some amazing piano - so much fun to collaborate with an artist with his talent!

Speaking of Tom -- He was one of our keynote speakers yesterday.  And I am still processing the mind blowing, challenging -- I don't know how to completley describe it, but in my notes I wrote "Whoa. Aha! WTF? OMFG!"

Here are a few quotes I posted from yesterday.


"God is present in the clearness, chaos, music, clutter . . . we access the divine differently" Rev. Faith McCausland
"The power of music is incredible as to what it can do to help a person change their feelings" Karl Shallowhorn
"Be open to disruption." Tom Reynolds
"To be included entails one's difference being welcomed, having equality among others, and given access." Tom Reynolds
"Difference full of dignity and respect give glimpses if the divine." Tom Reynolds
"Disability may be a gift that teaches and empowers." Tom Reynolds
"Care and inclusion isn't always innocent. It can be deceptively marginalizing." Tom Reynolds
"It's time we stop using scripture & theology ... to punish the very people who need God's mercy most." Christine Guth

"Let's turn our vision of healing from cure to community." Christine Guth

"The Kingdom of God was ADA compliant long before we thought of it." Bob Molsberry
People with mental illness are victims of violence 16X more than those without mental illness. Ken Gilbert

And there's still more to come today!

Widening the Welcome 2 -- 2

And just like that we've already experienced the first day of Widening the Welcome 2: Inclusion for All.

Highlights?  Plenty!

Is it wrong to say that I'm really enjoying the music?  I think folks here are really enjoying it, too! Today we've sung songs by Bryan Sirchio, Christopher Grundy, Thomas A Dorsey, Gordon Light, Jaroslav Vajda, Ken Medema, Mister Rogers, and Bob Stromberg.  And there's more to come tomorrow and Saturday!

Our opening speakers have been moving and wonderful!  Here are some quotes I've posted:

"Invite those who are on the outside of the outside to the feast. That's the neighborhood God lives in." Craig Rennebohm

 "We have built a nation of communities that are increasingly leaving people out." Craig Rennebohm

"The Church today is still hindered by old stereotypes of disability." Carolyn Thompson

"I do not recall any stories where Jesus just threw (to those who were outcast) some coins." Carolyn Thompson

"The person on the margin is in a unique position to see what is out of view from one in the center." Carolyn Thompson




Dinner was extraordinarily  tasty and our evening Core group discussions gave us a chance to breathe out, relax, and get to know one another. 


In other words -- things are going marvelously.  I can't wait for tomorrow!

Widening the Welcome 2 -- 1

I'm in Columbus, Ohio for the second national Widening the Welcome conference.  This weekend we're gathering to discuss, learn about, and find ways for congregations to truly include persons with disabilities and persons with mental illness/brain disorders and their families. Not only that, but this movement within the United Church of Christ seeks to help make inclusion for all a continuing reality in our congregations.

For the past couple of years I've been working on the planning committee for our events and also maintaining the website and email list.  This year I brought along a guitar, too (I'm acting as the conference music director)

I'll be posting a few blog entries throughout the conference (hence the confusing 2 -- 1 number scheme in the title) tweeting with the #wideningthewelcome hashtag (do I need to say hashtag if I just used one?   I don't think so, but I did anyway) and even posting a few updates on our Facebook page.

I am really looking forward to this year's conference.  It's always great to widen the welcome.

History

This week's Bible reflection from Acts 17 (Conversations) is still present -- though adjusted -- in what is now Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.
"History" text
"History" podcast

Note:  The sermons for September 4, 18, and 25 aren't based on the revised common lectionary.  They are, rather, connected to the Seasons of Creation educational resource.  The United Church of Christ bulletin service is using the Seasons of Creation resources for their bulletins for the 4 Sundays of September this year.  For September 11, I'll be using resources put together by the United Church of Christ for the 10 year remembrance of 9/11.

Illinois Conference Annual Meeting 2010

This past weekend I was at UIC for the 46th Annual Meeting of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ. Our biggest order of business was approving our new Illinois Conference Minister, Dr. Jorge Morales. But that isn't all that went on!

This year we moved to a shorter, 2-day meeting instead of a 3-day one. We also, for the first time in my memory, held our meeting in downtown Chicago. I think the loss of a day changed the financial impact of the meeting - which is very good. I think meeting in downtown Chicago got us to stretch our comfort zone of where it is good to meet -- which is very good. I also think that UIC was an excellent venue to have a meeting -- again . . . very good. (They have a bowling alley downstairs!)

And with the very good comes the challenges.

• Losing a day meant that the workshops offered were much shorter. I felt it in the one workshop I led (it started like a train wreck, as I had edited what could have been a 2 1/2 hour workshop into a 45 minute one - I took out things I should have left in and left things in I could have left out - it turned out OK, but it was also a learning experience for me.) and I also experienced it in a second workshop I attended. We tried to stuff too much into the short time period. If we follow the same pattern for next year, I'll have to remember that 45 minute workshops edited from 2 hour workshops don't work too well.
• Meeting in downtown Chicago is expensive. It also makes housing a little bit tricky. I (and many others) stayed at a UIC dorm that was about 6 blocks from the main venue. Not too bad, though the stormy weather Friday night made it difficult. Parking was a couple of blocks away from the dorms, too. I know that I'm spoiled by the venues with hotel, convention, and parking all in the same place . . . but I do like that way better.

• The Friday portion of the Annual Meeting was a little underwhelming. I started things off by leading the group in a rousing and energetic time of singing "Where Justice Rolls Down," but we definitely didn't sustain the energy throughout the rest of the day. I didn't notice it as much on Friday, however, as I did when things were far different on Saturday.
• I missed much of the business portion of the meeting Saturday while leading a delegation of youth on an adventure called "Two Tales of One City" We spent time learning about the many outreach ministries of Kenwood UCC and how they began. The most affecting statement I heard from Rev. Leroy Sanders was that 28 years ago the congregation voted not to begin a feeding ministry because "they didn't want that kind of people here." Rev. Sanders convinced the congregation to change their mind and it has been a transformative experience for all.
• After our time at Kenwood UCC we spent a couple of hours at Navy Pier. We experienced the need for community outreach and we experienced . . . fun. Two tales of one city. We also, in a very short time, formed new relationships with one another.
• Those relationships were evident as we came back during the last business session and then participated in the rousing, inspiring, powerful closing worship. Rev. Phil Hart's sermon, the liturgy, the songs, the prayers, the dancing, the offering, communion . . . everything was awesome. (OK -- the we had some trouble with the last hymn, but by the end of the song we had it down -- we'll have to do that one again next year!) I left the meeting inspired and refreshed - ready to tell a great story. What a great way to end!

There are several pictures from the event on the Illinois Conference Youth Initiative webpage and Facebook page.

Habitat/volunteer camp 2010 - 5

Endings
Yesterday was a 'day off' at Habitat/volunteer camp - involving some typical camp activities. We had lunch out at a Redamaks' restaurant (great food and great service too!) and then headed to Warren Dunes to climb the daunting Mount Baldy sand hill. After a day in the sun we had a chance to experience Tower Hill's giant climbing wall and then headed to the beach for another great bonfire. It was my last of the week, as I'm heading off this morning to Chicago for the Illinois Conference Annual Meeting.
There are some great memories from this week. We have worked and played hard, I leave pretty spent lots of time building relationships, and have become better people and followers of Jesus in the process. I'm looking forward to the next time!

*Update: There are many, many pictures to tell the story of the week here!

Habitat/volunteer camp 2010 - 4

3.
We were at three worksites yesterday. Some delivered food boxes to cars at a drive-up commodities distribution center for seniors, others worked at a local thrift shop (and came home with some formal dinner attire) and I was with a group working on clearing brush and trees as well as putting in an i beam and floor joists at a Habitat for Humanity build site in Michigan City, Indiana. Lake Michigan still hasn't been cooperative for swimming (rip tide warning in the afternoon) but we did have a giant hill slip n slide adventure in the afternoon and got to have a group archery event in the evening. Our nightly bonfire on the lake also returned as we sang (I love playing guitar at these things!) and talked about the many things love is and is not - as expressed in 1 Corinthians 13.
Today's a 'day off' and many of the campers are going to sleep in. I'll be heading out early tomorrow for the Illinois Conference Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Habitat/volunteer camp 2010 - 3

Everybody work.
Yesterday our group was at another two worksites. One group headed to Harmony House in La Porte, Indiana to do some landscaping and gardening. While we were working, a young boy inside was watching and anticipating. He came outside later and told us he was so excited for the playground being cleaned up!
The other group stayed nearby at Warren Dunes and worked on building a retaining wall to help keep the trail to the lake from disappearing. There was digging, measuring, cutting, attaching, and standing in the river, too!
Weather put a hold on last night's campfire, though we all relaxed with games, movies, and conversations.

Habitat/volunteer camp 2010 - 2

Sore.
We had a hard workday yesterday. I was with a group that did landscaping/yardwork at Polly's place - a shelter for pregnant women. We moved branch after branch of recently trimmed brush to a giant burn pile (one we started!) and also tilled gardens, weeded playground areas, and moved playground equipment around. Another group of workers packed 1021 boxes of food for delivery to the elderly in the area. It was nice to get back to camp and enjoy a sunset on the Lake Michigan beach.

Habitat/volunteer camp 2010 - 1

This week I'm at Tower Hill camp in Sawyer, Michigan for the Illinois Conference's 2010 Habitat/volunteer camp. There are 30+ youth and adults from 6 different churches. We'll be spending the week working at several locations in the area. Wireless signal will be iffy, but if I get time and signal I'll post a few pictures! (update -- I did!)

Immigrant Rights Sunday

The United Church of Christ has been a long-time advocate for just immigration policies that guarantee legal rights to every person living in the United States. This Sunday, May 2, is Immigrant Rights Sunday in the UCC. There are prayers, litanies, Bible studies and other resources available on the UCC website - but I didn't find any posters to display. Here's a very basic poster I put together to display tomorrow. Feel free to use it, too!

Stillspeaking Magazine

I've watched the new UCC web ad, The Language of God, enough times that I've paused it and looked closer at each image in the ad. I've recognized a few people, but have really wondered about the story behind the pictures

Yesterday the debut edition of the UCC's new Stillspeaking Magazine arrived at my house.

This is the kind of magazine that makes you notice it. It is beautiful. It would be the most picked-up any doctor or dentist office because it is simply so appealing. It invites you, right away, to have a look.

And inside it is just as visually beautiful. But there's more. The stories are compelling, inviting, throat-tugging, and challenging.

And they tell the story behind many of the pictures in the new UCC web ad, The Language of God.

Please get, read and share this great new magazine.

* I'd love to see a digital version of this magazine. I'd hope that it would be included in my current subscription, but as a new subscriber I'd think that 1/2 - 2/3 of the regular subscription price would be fair for a digital-only version.

The Language of God

The United Church of Christ launches it's new internet ad today -- and it's here!

From the Coordinator of the Stillspeaking Ministry, Felix Carrion:

We offer this praise because we cannot remain silent about the many, many ways God speaks. Here is a God big enough to welcome all people. Here is a God that speaks through human families and relationships of all shapes. Here is a God that speaks through a young person on a skateboard defying the laws of gravity and displaying heart. Here is a God that speaks the language of protest and poetry and presence. Here is a God that speaks through song and dance, hugs and kisses, hopes, laughter and joy. Here is a God that speaks through prayers and choirs and preachers and those who held and hold dreams, still.

Still stillspeaking

When the United Church of Christ is in Grand Rapids at the end of June for our General Synod, new ads from the stillspeaking ministry will also be there!  There'll be ads in the airport, on billboards, in print, on television and even on a bike-powered billboard!  

The UCC's director of communications, J. Bennett Guess, has this to say:

"In recent years, we've come to understand that General Synods are not just a time to gather, worship and celebrate internally as a church family, but it's a great evangelistic opportunity to tell the UCC's story to the widest possible audience, to share our unique identity with others, and to invite them to learn more about us and to visit our local churches."

I'll be there -- and I'd love to get a chance to ride the billboard-bike!

immerse yourself

I'm celebrating the United Church of Christ 'immerse yourself' photo project  with this 'sort of subterranean' music video for a song that's about . . . the project!   Immerse Yourself -- get soaking wet!

Some of Ye Faithful

We have a new commercial at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Somonauk. It's a tongue-in-cheek commercial using the tune of "Adeste Fideles" to communicate a message of welcome to all. The United Church of Christ produced the commercial -- leaving room for a local tag at the end. (That's the part that I did.) Feel free to listen, play it for your friends, post it on your blogs, list it in your Facebook status, Twitter updates etc.

"Some of Ye Faithful" commercial for Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
(right click and "save as" or "save link as" to download)

Why I'm walking

This Sunday I'm participating in the Community Interfaith CROP Hunger Walk because I know that CROP helps children and families worldwide -- and right here in the U.S. -- to have food for today, while building for a better tomorrow. U.S. and world markets may be in unprecedented turmoil right now, but the tragedy of worldwide hunger and poverty has been a reality to millions of people for as long as anyone can remember. I'm walking because folks should have enough to eat instead of starving. I'm walking because folks should have clean drinking water instead of dying of thirst. I'm walking because I believe in Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. I'm part of the Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ team - and we're part of over two million CROP Walkers, volunteers, and sponsors from who are walking to raise over $16 million dollars to help end hunger and poverty around the world. Wanna get involved? Sign up as a walker or to donate.

CROP walk is sponsored by Church World Service, a cooperative ministry of 35 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations, providing sustainable self-help and development, disaster relief, and refugee assistance in some 80 countries.

It's Me, Oh Lord

We began the outdoor worship service and picnic at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Somonauk with some gospel fun -- we learned and sang "It's Me, Oh Lord" in 4-part harmony!

All the People

Yesterday during our outdoor worship service and annual church picnic at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Somonauk, we shot some video for this homegrown "Steeples for the People" message for the United Church of Christ.