Volume 3 Issue 10

For the first time in fifteen years we are not preparing for “back-to-school.” Oh yes, Mary returns to another year of teaching, Rachel is entering her third year at Northern Arizona University, and Rebecca continues her studies at Community College of Southern Nevada that she began this summer. But it’s not the same. There are no last minute trips for school supplies, no shopping excursions for a just-right fall wardrobe, no calls to verify when and where the school bus will pick up and drop off, and there won’t be any first-day-of-school snapshots or videos. This is a good thing, because it means—in those wise and beautiful words of Desiderata—“whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” I do, however, encourage those of you who are in the midst of these magical days to savor every precious moment for the sacred experience it truly is.
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The 2004 Summer Olympics conclude today as the Republican National Convention begins in New York City. There is probably some sort of cosmic juxtaposition here that eludes me, but the gathering of the Grand Old Party does raise issues that are germane to the mission of this website. I appreciate the work that Sojourners is doing to raise our consciousness to the insidious influence that the Christian Right is exercising over American politics
(go to: http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=action.election&item=petition_flash)
and to mount a participatory campaign to TAKE BACK OUR FAITH
(go to: http://go.sojo.net/campaign/takebackourfaith/forward#top )
I strongly encourage every Growing in Christ reader to take the time to learn more about what is actually going on behind the scenes in the effort to keep the Bush administration in the White House, and to act accordingly in a spirit of good faith and good conscience.
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You are invited to share in the wisdom and inspiration available at these sites:
The Sojourners Community evolved into Sojourners ministries in the early 1970s. Jim Wallis, editor-in-chief of “Sojourners” magazine, is renowned for his ability to profoundly articulate the relationship between scripture and social justice. The internet version of his publication, “Sojourners”, may be viewed at: http://www.sojo.net/
Since 1917 “The Witness” has been a voice of gospel justice, based in the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. As an independent publishing organization, unaffiliated with the institutional church, “The Witness” proudly serves as a communications and organizing vehicle for the progressive movement within the church: http://www.thewitness.org/
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, hosted by veteran journalist Bob Abernethy, is the only national TV newsmagazine program devoted entirely to the news of religion and spirituality, and major ethical issues. Learn more about the top moral questions facing the country and profiles the most interesting people and groups in the world of religion and ethics by going to: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/
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Until next time…….Shalom!