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Monday, October 29, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Seeds for world change #14
#14 for October 17-21
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."
-- Romans 12:3, New King James Version.
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."
-- Romans 12:3, New King James Version.
A personal note from Sarah
October 17, 2012
As we -- both Interfaith Solidarity and the Occupy Movement at large -- journeyed through this past year, many things have changed. The community that makes up the Occupy Movement seems quite different now than it once was, and most of those who were part of the original Interfaith Guild of Chaplains have moved on to other stuff as their lives took them.
I have tried hard to "revive" the stagnant organization this summer but at this point with very little progress. Perhaps an idea to try many things at a same time was not a good idea.
Personally, I have come to reassess my involvement with the Occupy Movement in recent weeks as well. A big part of me is disillusioned by the way this movement has gone, even though I am still hopeful that the initial impetus that brought the Occupy Wall Street into existence can and will lead to something meaningful and significant.
Many work groups and affinity groups within the movement have also experienced, like ours, a decline in membership and activities. Simply trying to "revive" in a sense of taking the group back to a "good old day" probably won't work.
Until we build a larger membership base, and perhaps that means our future membership would be different from our original one, we probably need to downsize and focus on a few achievable goals -- as well as refocusing and refining our missions.
Although in August we have instituted a two-component structure of Interfaith Solidarity (Actions Team and Chaplains' Guild), this will be put on hold for the time being. Instead, I would like to build a singular Interfaith Solidarity core that does both actions and chaplaincy, until such a time when these two components can be separately organized.
I would also like to reiterate here that the new combined Interfaith Solidarity is for every person of spiritual convictions from all religious traditions. It is not necessary for you to be affiliated formally with any denomination or be ordained. All what I ask for are a passion for justice, a big caring heart, listening ears, an open mind ready to learn, and commitment to the spiritual truth as you understand it.
On our agenda, right now we are focusing on the Occupy Thanksgiving PDX 2 and Occupy the Winter Holidays PDX (formerly Occupy Christmas PDX) in Portland. Additionally, we are working on Occupy Worship, a new community-driven web portal and blog not just for Interfaith Solidarity here in Portland but also inviting all Protest Chaplains groups around the world to join.
We are having our next organizing meeting for Occupy Thanksgiving PDX 2 on this Friday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. I hope to see many of you there.
Sarah Morrigan
As we -- both Interfaith Solidarity and the Occupy Movement at large -- journeyed through this past year, many things have changed. The community that makes up the Occupy Movement seems quite different now than it once was, and most of those who were part of the original Interfaith Guild of Chaplains have moved on to other stuff as their lives took them.
I have tried hard to "revive" the stagnant organization this summer but at this point with very little progress. Perhaps an idea to try many things at a same time was not a good idea.
Personally, I have come to reassess my involvement with the Occupy Movement in recent weeks as well. A big part of me is disillusioned by the way this movement has gone, even though I am still hopeful that the initial impetus that brought the Occupy Wall Street into existence can and will lead to something meaningful and significant.
Many work groups and affinity groups within the movement have also experienced, like ours, a decline in membership and activities. Simply trying to "revive" in a sense of taking the group back to a "good old day" probably won't work.
Until we build a larger membership base, and perhaps that means our future membership would be different from our original one, we probably need to downsize and focus on a few achievable goals -- as well as refocusing and refining our missions.
Although in August we have instituted a two-component structure of Interfaith Solidarity (Actions Team and Chaplains' Guild), this will be put on hold for the time being. Instead, I would like to build a singular Interfaith Solidarity core that does both actions and chaplaincy, until such a time when these two components can be separately organized.
I would also like to reiterate here that the new combined Interfaith Solidarity is for every person of spiritual convictions from all religious traditions. It is not necessary for you to be affiliated formally with any denomination or be ordained. All what I ask for are a passion for justice, a big caring heart, listening ears, an open mind ready to learn, and commitment to the spiritual truth as you understand it.
On our agenda, right now we are focusing on the Occupy Thanksgiving PDX 2 and Occupy the Winter Holidays PDX (formerly Occupy Christmas PDX) in Portland. Additionally, we are working on Occupy Worship, a new community-driven web portal and blog not just for Interfaith Solidarity here in Portland but also inviting all Protest Chaplains groups around the world to join.
We are having our next organizing meeting for Occupy Thanksgiving PDX 2 on this Friday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. I hope to see many of you there.
Sarah Morrigan
Monday, October 15, 2012
Next OccupyThanksgivingPDX planning meeting
A planning meeting for the second annual Occupy Thanksgiving PDX!
Those who are planning on attending are also encouraged to bring some food that does not require cooking or refrigeration (we only have a microwave and a mini-fridge) and/or non-alcoholic beverage.
This is open to the public. Everyone who is interested in being part of the planning is welcome.
Interfaith Solidarity is non-sectarian and non-proselytizing.
More information:
(503) 427-8269 or email via http://ur1.ca/afott
Joining Interfaith Solidarity FAQ
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| Symbols of various faiths (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
1. What does an Occupy chaplain do?
We began what was then known as the Interfaith Guild of Chaplains (IGC) modelled after Occupy Boston's Protest Chaplains. By the second week of Occupation, the Protest Chaplains had several autonomous chapters in major cities, including Toronto, New York, and Washington, D.C. We were somewhat different from the Protest Chaplains in that (1) we emphasized the interfaith -- not just Christians and some "token Jews", but encompassing the diverse religious landscape, and actively reached out to many non-Christian traditions as well as Christians of many denominations; and (2) we focused on providing spiritual and pastoral support to the Occupiers rather than protesting.
Today, we have somewhat different needs from what we had back when we were at the parks. However, we try to be good listeners (rather than good preachers) and provide both spiritual support and advocacy from a faith-based point of view.
2. Do I have to be an ordained minister or be certified in chaplaincy to join the Interfaith Solidarity?
This is perhaps the most wide-spread misconception about us.
Even though it is helpful if you have a past or current experience in church or faith-based ministries, that is not always a requirement.
While we do not ordain people, we do not require our members to be ordained by any church. In fact there are many spiritual traditions in which concepts of ordination and ministers, do not even exist. So having such a requirement can be exclusionary. If you have experiences in leading a spiritual community, teaching in churches, have attended a seminary or divinity school, etc., you are encouraged to become part of the Chaplains' Guild. We cherish diversity and would like us to be reflective of the diverse world we are in.
Aside from chaplaincy, Interfaith Solidarity has many other areas everyone can join -- for example, the newly organizing Interfaith Solidarity Action Team (ISAT), event planning, and other outreach activities.
Therefore everyone is welcome at Interfaith Solidarity.
3. I am not affiliated with any organized religion.
See above. The recent study shows that the "Nones" now comprise the second largest "religious group" in the U.S. We are also aware of Portland and Oregon's reputation as the least unchurched area in America. If you have a passion for social justice where it intersects with your spiritual life, you are more than welcome.
4. Is Interfaith Solidarity just for Christians?
No.
5. I am an Evangelical Christian and sharing the Gospel is an integral part of my faith. Can I join the Chaplains' Guild?
As a chaplain working in an interfaith setting, your work will be two-fold: (1) to provide spiritual support to anyone regardless of their spiritual or religious orientation, without proselytizing; (2) to provide spiritual support and religious services specific to your religious tradition, when requested by (or when you see a need within the community) those who desire them.
You are welcome to start, for example, a Bible study group geared towards Evangelical Christians within the community; however it would be inappropriate to go out and proselytize others.
6. I cannot regularly attend meetings or be part of the occupation, march, etc., because of my age/disability/location.
There are many tasks that can be done off-site. Also, we are looking for people who can provide presences in smaller towns with Occupy or similar communities, such as Gresham, Bend, and Corvallis.
7. How do I join?
First read the documents listed on the right column of this webpage, specifically, "Re-envisioning Document," "Online Consensus Procedure," "Safety Protocol," and "Basic Information and Statement of Purpose."
Then send an email to ******@*********** (click on the link to reveal the address).
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Seed for world change #13
#13 for October 15-17
使老有所终，壮有所用，幼有所长；鳏寡孤独废疾者，皆有所养；男有分，女有归；
货恶其弃于地也，不必藏于己；力恶其不出于身也，不必为己；是故谋闭而不兴，
盗窃乱贼而不作，故外户而不闭，是谓大同。
Dà dào zhī xíng yě, tiān xià wèi gōng; xuǎn xián yǔ néng, jiǎng xìn xiū mù; gùrén bùdú qīn qí qīn, bù dúzǐ qí zi; Shǐ lǎo yǒu suǒ zhōng, zhuàng yǒu suǒ yòng, yòu yǒu suǒ cháng; guān guǎ gū dú fèi jí zhě, jiē yǒu suǒ yǎng; nán yǒu fèn, nǚ yǒu guī; Huò è qí qì yú de yě, bùbì cáng yú jǐ; lì è qí bù chū yú shēn yě, bù bì wéi jǐ; shì gù móu bì ér bù xīng, Dào qiè luàn zéi ér bù zuò, gù wài hù ér bù bì, shì wèi dà tóng.
The World of Datong
When the Great Dao (Tao, perfect order) prevails, the world is like a Commonwealth
State shared by all, not a dictatorship.
Virtuous, worthy, wise and capable people are chosen as leaders.
Honesty and trust are promoted, and good neighborliness cultivated.
All people respect and love their own parents and children, as well as the parents and
children of others.
The aged are cared for until death; adults are employed in jobs that make full use of
their abilities; and children are nourished, educated, and fostered.
Widows and widowers, orphans and the old without children, the disabled and the
diseased are all well taken care of.
Every man and woman has an appropriate role to play in society and in the family.
They hate to see resources lying idle or cast away, yet they do not necessarily keep
them for themselves.
They hate not to make use of their abilities, yet they do not necessarily work for their
own self-interest.
Thus intrigues and conspiracies do not arise, and thievery and robbery do not occur;
therefore doors need never be locked.
This is the ideal world – a perfect world of equality, fraternity, harmony, welfare, and
justice. This is the world called "Datong."
-- Record of Rites, Book 9, by Confucius, 551 BCE.
From http://www.taousa.org/index_english.htm
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Planning for the second annual Occupy Thanksgiving PDX 2!
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| Occupied America (Photo credit: FredMikeRudy) |
From: Sarah Morrigan
Today apparently is the last day of Portland's dry, warm, sunny season. Believe it or not, the holiday season is only around the corner. Thanksgiving is only six weeks from today.
Still reeling from the eviction, Occupy Thanksgiving PDX last year brought together the community spirit as well as plenty of great food to a kind of pop-up occupation at the Wallace Park in Northwest Portland (see http://www.opdxchaplains.co.cc/2011/11/occupyportland-spiritual-life_25.html for the report-back).
We are doing it again, and hope to do it in a grand scale. Last year's Occupy Thanksgiving PDX was pretty improvised and organized almost entirely with help of Twitter and Facebook. Considering the concentration of Occupy energy that was still present at the time (we were doing daily GA/Spokes at the Pioneer Courthouse Square and Director Park back then -- and the Food Team was still making dinner every day!) and ready attention by the media, it was pretty easy. This year, it seems that a solid advance planning is the way to go.
Occupy Thanksgiving PDX was started with this original vision:
We are occupying Thanksgiving Day.
We occupy it because:
-- from http://www.opdxchaplains.co.cc/2011/11/our-invitation-to-occupythanksgivingpdx.html
- This is a quintessentially American holiday, and is an important part of American cultural narratives.
- This is also a holiday that commemorates the fact that the European colonizers began their expansive ambitions and conquest and genocide of the First Nations, in the name of "freedom" -- something this holiday tends to sugar-coat.
- On this day, there are many -- and growing number of -- Portlanders who are unhoused and, since most of other Portlanders have a privilege of being able to stay home, take a day off, and spend time with family, they are left outside often with no place to go and nothing to eat. We recognize this social inequity.
- Today, Thanksgiving Day is the official beginning of the "Holiday Season," which is essentially an orgy of consumerism orchestrated by the top 1%. Many publicly-traded big corporations count on this season, and the Fourth Quarter earnings report affects share prices significantly. We occupy this day to reclaim the Thanksgiving as a time for community, sharing, and abundance.
This year, for the second annual Occupy Thanksgiving PDX 2, we would like to continue this vision.
This is our wish list for some of the "requirements" we see in order to achieve this vision better for 2012:
- An indoor space that can be utilized for all afternoon and evening (preferably all day), since weather may be not hospitable. We are shooting for a place we can reserve for an entire day and early evening since part of the reasons we do Occupy Thanksgiving PDX is that everything is closed and we believe that no one should be forced out to the streets in rain and wind especially on Thanksgiving Day.
- An adequate kitchen space. As this would again be a potluck, and we do not anticipate whole a lot of on-site cooking, it does not necessarily need to be industrial.
- A capacity to accommodate about 50 people, with consideration that some people come and go throughout the day.
- A good public transit and bicycle accessibility, and preferably full ADA compliance.
The first kick-off planning session will be held on Monday, October 15, at 5 p.m. at the Occupy Portland headquarters (1131 SE Oak St., Suite 5). This also doubles as our first anniversary celebration, so you are strongly encouraged to come celebrate the founding of Interfaith Solidarity with us.
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