That Wednesday
will mark all other Wednesdays.
That prosaic middle day
between our past
and all the days to come.
The exigency of the living carried on
while we were enveloped in
the sudden beauty and stink of the lilies,
in baskets and baskets of sorrow.
Now we speak to him in the day,
at night, in his room of earthly things.
We speak softly to each other
until we lose our words,
until there is nothing left
unfinished between us.
We wonder about his unexpected journey
to a place we do not understand.
COEXIST: Poetry, Books, and Essays by Diane Vogel Ferri
Monday, June 27, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A Coexist Update and a Breath of Fresh Air!
A couple posts ago I wrote about the Greater Cleveland Congregations. More than 40 religious congregations showed up for the first meeting - Jews, Muslims,Evangelicals, Protestants, Unitarians (and only one Catholic representation due to the Bishop's non-support of the GCC.)
After a year of clergy meetings and brainstorming sessions with congregants the GCC announced it's five-prong agenda.
"We intend to organize, and campaign for good jobs, acccessible and affordable health care, safe and productive schools for our children, fair and equal treament in our criminal justice system, and sustainable and healthy food." said the Rev. Tracey Lind.
Connie Schultz reported in the Plain Dealer that "Greater Cleveland Congregations, like any interfaith group has a lot of work ahead, starting with its budget. The religious organizations contributed half of the $250,000 goal. The rest must come from foundations and private donations unless more religious organizations step up. That invitation remains open."
I hope I will have more news of this initiative in the future. A true example of COEXISTING!
And now for a breath of fresh air:
Yesterday former Utah governor John Huntsman announced his candidacy for President of the United States. In his speech he made it clear that he won't "run down" his rivals for the GOP nomination - or the president. He decried the "corrosive" 21st century politics and said, "I respect the President of the United States. He and I have a difference of opinion on how to help a country we both love. But the question each of us wants the voters to answer is who will be the better president, not who is the better American."
What? Did I hear ( and read) this right? Someone who intends to campaign on his own opinions, ideas and strengths without belittling, insulting and sarcasm? Not only coexisting in a campaign - but a true breath of fresh air! One I will be willing to listen to no matter what his political party. We will soon see if he can keep THIS campaign promise.
After a year of clergy meetings and brainstorming sessions with congregants the GCC announced it's five-prong agenda.
"We intend to organize, and campaign for good jobs, acccessible and affordable health care, safe and productive schools for our children, fair and equal treament in our criminal justice system, and sustainable and healthy food." said the Rev. Tracey Lind.
Connie Schultz reported in the Plain Dealer that "Greater Cleveland Congregations, like any interfaith group has a lot of work ahead, starting with its budget. The religious organizations contributed half of the $250,000 goal. The rest must come from foundations and private donations unless more religious organizations step up. That invitation remains open."
I hope I will have more news of this initiative in the future. A true example of COEXISTING!
And now for a breath of fresh air:
Yesterday former Utah governor John Huntsman announced his candidacy for President of the United States. In his speech he made it clear that he won't "run down" his rivals for the GOP nomination - or the president. He decried the "corrosive" 21st century politics and said, "I respect the President of the United States. He and I have a difference of opinion on how to help a country we both love. But the question each of us wants the voters to answer is who will be the better president, not who is the better American."
What? Did I hear ( and read) this right? Someone who intends to campaign on his own opinions, ideas and strengths without belittling, insulting and sarcasm? Not only coexisting in a campaign - but a true breath of fresh air! One I will be willing to listen to no matter what his political party. We will soon see if he can keep THIS campaign promise.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Father's Day
Daddy's Girl
(originally published in "The Storyteller")
You will never again trust
as you did
when Daddy was twice your size,
his arms the greatest you knew,
they could straighten your baton
or chop down a tree in the front yard.
He won every game
and you were his best partner.
Driving in the Fourth of July storm
your dread of lightning and thunder
abated with Daddy's hands
on the wheel,
fearless, you traveld the country
with the deepest knowledge
that Daddy
would bring you safely home.
He never told you he'd give his life
for you, you were born knowing.
You never felt doubt until the day
he held your hands and then let them go.
(originally published in "The Storyteller")
You will never again trust
as you did
when Daddy was twice your size,
his arms the greatest you knew,
they could straighten your baton
or chop down a tree in the front yard.
He won every game
and you were his best partner.
Driving in the Fourth of July storm
your dread of lightning and thunder
abated with Daddy's hands
on the wheel,
fearless, you traveld the country
with the deepest knowledge
that Daddy
would bring you safely home.
He never told you he'd give his life
for you, you were born knowing.
You never felt doubt until the day
he held your hands and then let them go.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Coexist XXXII - Working Together for Social Justice
Nearly 40 synagogues, churches and mosques have joined in coalition to form Greater Cleveland Congregations in an effort to work together to build power for social justice. GCC will unite people across lines of race, class, religion and geography to promote public, private and civic-sector actions in the belief that it will strengthen and improve the quality of life of Cleveland's neighborhoods.
Some of their goals are to work for good jobs, accessibility to health care, safe and productive schools for children, just and fair treatment in the courts, prisons and re-entry programs, alleviate hunger and improve the environment.
Reverend Jawanza Colvin and Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk stated in a recent PLain Dealer article that "we pledge to fulfill what our faiths envision as the result of such unity;honest and civil discourse on issues that trouble us most and a promotion of solutions that produce improvement in quality of life for all people."
HALLELUJAH!!
If only certain sectors of our government would follow these guidelines instead of fighting and criticizing each other maybe some issues of social justice could become a reality in America.
Some of their goals are to work for good jobs, accessibility to health care, safe and productive schools for children, just and fair treatment in the courts, prisons and re-entry programs, alleviate hunger and improve the environment.
Reverend Jawanza Colvin and Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk stated in a recent PLain Dealer article that "we pledge to fulfill what our faiths envision as the result of such unity;honest and civil discourse on issues that trouble us most and a promotion of solutions that produce improvement in quality of life for all people."
HALLELUJAH!!
If only certain sectors of our government would follow these guidelines instead of fighting and criticizing each other maybe some issues of social justice could become a reality in America.
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