Christ is Risen!

Sometime soon, I'll be back with an update and some pictures of life here at Stanford. Meanwhile:

This weekend we celebrated the heart of our faith.

On Thursday we remembered Jesus’ command to love one another, and his demonstration of that love by washing the dusty feet of his disciples.

On Friday, we remembered Jesus trial and crucifixion: the world’s rejection of its Redeemer and Christ’s unending commitment to his message. And we saw the pinnacle of Jesus’ revelation: a God who loves us to the end (no greater love is there than this, but that one lay down one’s life).

On Saturday, we gathered to hear the stories of our people’s redemption. If you listened closely, you could imagine people sitting around telling these stories to their family . . . “This is our God who loves us so much that God saved us from the waters of flood, from slavery in Egypt, from the Red Sea, from the valley of dry bones, from the belly of a whale, from the fiery furnace.”

And then, the culmination: Resurrection! John’s declaration that the power of death was no match for the power of life; that the revelation of God could not be held be the grave; that the Jesus-way is death defying to the point that the Disciples encountered Jesus even after his crucifixion.

As we move into the 7 weeks of Easter (a week of weeks: the liturgical way of giving honor to the resurrection), I invite you to take note of Resurrection life around you: forgiveness, birth, opportunity, grace, a second, third, fourth chance, the kindness of a stranger or a friend, kindness to a stranger or friend. How will the resurrection show up in your life today? How is Christ risen in you?

Peace to you in Christ who was raised for us, and who is Risen in us.

A Funeral Mass

Today I went to a funeral for a Christian Brother named Brother Columban. I learned a lot today about this man whom I had admired for a number of years. He had been principal and teacher in a number of schools to thousands of people in his 75 years as a Brother. Note, that's 75 years as a Brother. Born in 1914, he was in his 90s when he died, but joined the Christian Brothers in 1932.

While I was at the funeral today, I was reminded of how much I admire these men and their dedication to the ministry of teaching. Among those gathered today were others who have spent their entire adult lives as Brothers and some who were just beginning their ministries. It's a different life than I'll probably ever know, but one that I respect tremendously.

Their vowed lives (poverty, chastity, obedience, stability in the order, and service to education of the poor) lead them into places in the world where children would go un-educated were it not for the Brothers. Indeed, there was a time in my life when I was discerning between a call to the Lutheran ministry on one hand and to the Christian Brothers on the other hand. While I ended up with Word and Sacrament ministry in the ELCA, the Brothers and their mission will always hold a special place in my heart.

New Year

"You're in your second year here!" That's what a member of the congregation said to me this morning, and he's right! Happy New Year! After Christmas Eve service here at UniChu, and Christmas Day with my family on the Ranch, Gwen and I were in Minnesota for a few days to visit her family. I had the chance to go cross country skiing for the first time and also had my third serving of Lutefisk (that's three in my entire life. And, unless you looked closely, you wouldn't even have seen it on my plate!). It was in the 20s in MN and snowing, which was beautiful. Upon our return to California (where it's in the 60s), I realized how much has changed since this time last year. A new call, a new house, a new community, etc. It's great! I just love it here and love these people. Also, it was fun to note two more signs of time's march forward: A professor of mine from seminary has been called to be the Admissions Director. He will be wonderful! And, another friend has been called to a position that I was asked to consider at the same time that I was asked to consider this call. He will be good in that position (probably better than I would have been) as Special Assistant to the President for University Ministries at a fairly reputable university. So, time rolls on. And here we are approaching Epiphany. Which means I have a homily to think about . . . .

Installation

My Installation as pastor of University Church at Stanford was this past Sunday . . . what a great celebration! There were family, friends, colleagues from Stanford, colleagues from other churches, people from PLTS, people from the neighborhood, and (of course!) members of the UniChu community. It was a wonderful celebration followed by a beautiful reception in our house. It was great to begin this ministry officially on the 1st Sunday of Advent . . . so many new things coming to birth!

The dean of the Peninsula Conference presided at the installation service (that's her standing with me at the altar here to the left).

My dear friend, colleague, and mentor, Pastor Jana Schofield, preached on my favorite text: John 10:10. There, Jesus says, "I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly." I love that passage because, to me, it summarizes our calling: to help people discover the live they have been given and to help them live it to the full. Here is a picture of Jana and me.

There were pastors from the various congregations in this area, as well as other clergy who have been important in my formation. Among them were: Dan Senter, Jerry Schmalenberger, Meghan Sobocienski, Sarah Isakson, Matt Smutts, Mike O'Berg, Dan Smith, Martin Mahlzahn, Rebecca Schlatter, Stacy Williams-Duncan, Jay Ford, Cora Sheel, Joanne Sanders, Corrie Lassen, Jana Schofield, Susan Scott, and Vern Jones.

Week One!

This was my first week of ministry at University Church and Stanford University. I began on Monday after a 'sabbatical' of sorts: time to recuperate after 5 years of a pretty hefty travel schedule for my previous call. Monday morning, I went over to my office at the church (Office Number 1) and spent some time getting to know the property, meeting the women who run the preschool, and getting my office ready. I soon became antsy and went over to my office on campus (Office Number 2). While there, I got to know that place a bit, including the people in the Office for Religious Life. Later, I came back to Office Number 1 with the impression that I really needed to be doing something profound on my first day. I soon realized, though, that this was an opportunity to unpack, settle in, and enjoy the beginning of this very exciting new adventure!

Campus Ministry Orientation

Last week, I was in Chicago (where it was 40 degrees!) for "Orientation" to campus ministry in the ELCA. of the hundreds of Campus Ministers in the ELCA, there are 16 of us who are brand new this year. Indeed, we are the Centennial Class as Lutheran Campus Ministry celebrates its 100th year this year.

While in Chicago, I got to know the rest of my class, sharing stories and enjoying each others' company. Here we are pictured on our last full day together. We are, from left to right, Tanysha, Sarah, Ben, Julia, Kurt, Yvonne, Eric, Elizabeth, Scott, Rachel, Brad, Sally, me, Marty, Jaime, Kacey, and Chaplain Paul.


On Saturday, we all said goodbye and I returned to Palo Alto (where it was 80 degrees).

Last things and first things

On my last day at PLTS, the students through a wonderful (Frisbee Golf Themed) farewell party for Gwen and me. As you can see in this picture, attendees (including students, a board member, and the president) dressed in khaki pants and painted goatees on their faces!

It was such a wonderful day. Among other things, there was food and wine, a hula demonstration by a student and her daughter, and people saying nice things about me, which helped me realize the impact that my five years at PLTS has had on other people.

I will post some more pictures of my last day later, as well as a picture from my "Orientation" to Lutheran Campus Ministry.

North Cackalacky

Well, we did travel to some wonderful spots this week. My group went to Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC as well as Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. We met with great groups of students in each place and I really enjoyed hearing the stories of how God is working in their lives.

Here is a picture we took with two of our ELCA Churchwide colleagues on the campus of Southern Seminary, where we have been meeting and staying. They are, from right to left, Paul Hanson (Fund for Leaders in Mission), Jonathan Strandjord (Vocation and Education Unit), Tom Henderson (Southern), Mark Olsen (LTSG), Louise Johnson (LTSP), Ron Olson (Luther Seminary), Jenny Tomalka (Southern), Heather McClintock (back) and Ruth Prieto (both from Wartburg), Shari Ayers (Trinity), me, and Joy McDonald-Coltvedt (Chicago). I can't express how much I will miss these fine people.

South Cackalacky

Greetings from Columbia, South Carolina! I have been here since Sunday evening for the Annual Meeting of the ELCA Seminary Admissions Directors. In the days since I announced my leaving of this call, I've been dreading having to say goodbye to these good and faithful people. Three of them have been in this work longer than I have and are true mentors for me. Six others have joined this group since I did, and it has been wonderful to get to know them in their ministries in and on behalf of the church.

This afternoon, we split into two groups for traveling to some colleges: Lenoire-Rhyne, Appalachian State, Clemson, Newberry, and USC. In these visits, we'll meet folks who are engaged in their college or campus ministry setting and who, in one way or another, are preparing to live out the vocation to which God has called them. For some of them, this means seminary. For others, of course, it doesn't. We cherish the time with all of them as we seek to continue/expand Martin Luther's tradition of living vocationally.

More later . . . :)

Transitions

It has been over a month since I've posted to this blog . . . and quite a month!

In late August, the call committee at University Church in Palo Alto, California voted to call me as their pastor and as Lutheran Campus Minister at Stanford University! In early September I accepted that call! I will be finishing up my call to PLTS at the end of October and I will begin this new call at the end of November.

Meanwhile, a search process is under way here at PLTS to call the next Director of Admissions. Many of you who read this blog are discerning your calls to seminary and I assure you that there will be someone here to continue those conversations with you. In the meantime, though, I continue to be here full time and trasure the opportunity to be engaged in these conversations. And, I will continue my travel schedule (to the south next week and to Washington at the end of October).

There will be times of formal goodbye here at PLTS and I will try to remember to post those times here.

Churchwide Assembly

Greetings from Chicago, where the ELCA is meeting in Biennial Assembly. I've been pretty busy these days because of multiple roles I have here. One is as the PLTS Admissions Representative to the Assembly, together with my colleagues representing the rest of our seminaries. Another role is as host, together with President Phyllis Anderson, for the PLTS Reception at the Assembly. Finally and, franky, most exciting, I have been participating in a gathering of rostered leaders under the age of 31.

This group, largely clergy and largely PLTS grads, has been meeting for a few days to share stories, hear from each other about experiences, learn some best practices, consider our spiritual/physical/emotional health, and have a reunion! You may know that there is a growing number of pastors in the ELCA who come to seminary right out of college. In fact, this gathering was initially intended to be for pastors under age 35. But, when the budget folks found out that there are about 1,000 pastors under age 35, the age had to be lowered. PLTS has the youngest student body in the ELCA seminary system. We have the highest percentage of "young students" of all 8 seminaries and a higher number of young students than 4 of the other seminaries . . . not bad! Of course, these younger students are balanced out by the invaluable contributions of our second-career students, whose life experience gives them a rich background from which to draw for classroom conversation and contextualization.

This Assembly has been an exciting place to be. Bishop Hanson was re-elected (handily) in an affirmation of his strong, bold, and courageous leadership of this church. Secretary Almen was honored for his many years of dedicated service to this church, and was succeeded by a layman from out here in the west! Bishops were encouraged to excercise restraint in their discipline of pastors and congregations caught in the middle of the discussion/discernment on sexuality that our church is facing. And a program to study ways that Lutherans read the Bible was launched (I think this discussion needed to come before the discussion on Sexuality . . . but, hopefully, they will inform each other.). Finally, seeing the church represented in one place by its highest legislative body was (for the second time) a fun experience. Said one participant: "I have been an active member of my congregation and a participant in the ministries of my synod. But I never imagined I was part of a church that was helping to change the world."

Invitation to Service

In early August, I had the privilege of being part of the Invitation to Service event at California Lutheran University. This powerful event has helped hundreds of peopleexplore and discern God's call for their life. Among other things, participants hear how others have heard God's call and been moved to use their gifts, talents and abilities in service to God's people. Through Bible study, worship, prayer, and small groups, people are invited and encouraged to be open to listening for God's calling. My role was a simple one: being part of the Have We Got A Job For You Faire. In addition, I was able to connect with some great people, play music with some friends, and spend time on a campus that I love. (I didn't go to CLU, but think of it as my alma matertera [alma mater means soul-mother . . . alma matertera means soul-aunt :) ]). Also, while at the ITS event, I was interviewed by a local paper. You can read the article at http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/aug/04/no-headline---le1fccluyouth04/ . . . they were kind enough to give me the last word in the article.

New PLTS Website!

FINALLY! PLTS has updated the webpage to be easier to use, more interesting, and more visually appealing. I hope you'll check out http://www.plts.edu/ to see what we're up to. This is only a "private launch" for now, but I'll let you all in on the little secret. Our public launch won't be for another few weeks because the final edits are not yet complete. Nevertheless, check out the new look of the Admissions Sections!

Faith Active in Love

Faith Active in Love is a series of three week-long sessions in the San Francisco Bay Area that immerse participants in experiential learning and theological reflection regarding a distinct justice issue each week. Students engage in the complexities of a particular topic by: listening to people affected, visiting innovative non-profit and community organizations, talking with top theologians at the Graduate Theological Union, participating in hands-on activities, discussing the issue with one another in small groups, and reflecting theologically on our Christian response. This year, we've had wonderful, wonderful students on campus for this program and are just finishing up Week 2: Immigration. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you might remember Pr. Kim Erno from Mexico City. He was our guest speaker this week as his work in Mexico has had a lot to do with immigration and workers' rights. Check back later for pictures and check out http://www.faithactiveinlove.com/ for more information.

Grand Canyon Synod Assembly

(Pix coming soon.) My own synod is the Grand Canyon Synod. I am rostered there and, therefore, a voting member at that Assembly. This is the time each year when the synodical expressions of the ELCA gather in assembly to pray, to commune, to do business, and to chart the course for the coming year. It is also a wonderful time for me to connect with colleagues in that synod (many of whom were classmates of mine in seminary). My bishop, Pr. Steve Talmage, was elected just over a year ago and is leading the synod with an eye toward mission: How can the church bring the gospel of liberation, freedom, and justice into all parts of the Grand Canyon Synod . . . a fair question for us to ask ourselves about our own lives.

Southwest California Synod Youth Convocation

(Pix coming soon.) I had the honor of being asked to participate in the Youth Convocation / LYO Gathering of the Southwest California Synod this year. Serving as Event Chaplain for the Convo, I also had the privelege of spending time with the leaders of the event in conversation about God's call to them in the world. It is always edifying to be reminded in what good hands the church finds itself when there are people like this in the lead. These fine leaders take their roles as Children of God quite seriously and will continue to have a significant impact on the world!

UC Berkeley Graduation

The following weekend was graduation day for the Psychology Department at UC Berkeley. Ordinarily, I wouldn't care much, but it happens that my sister received her PhD that day! She studied Developmental Psychology and will continue to teach at UCB this year! Here's a picture of her after her graduation ceremony, which was at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. It was such a great day, not only to witness such a momentous occasion in the lives of so many people, but because I'm so proud of my little sis! (Yup, she's younger than I am . . . sigh.)

PLTS Graduation

Saturday May 12th was Graduation Day at PLTS! Here is a shot of some of the graduates and faculty. Among this years 48 graduates were PhD students, MDivs, MAs, TEEM students and others. It was, of course, a wonderful celebration of these students' accomplishments and of God's faithfulness in raising up new leaders for the church and for the sake of the world. (Included in this year's class was my wife, Gwen, an MDiv graduate!)

First Call Colleague Group

I've mentioned in previous posts my First Call Colleague Group. As we reached the end of our mandated period together, my colleagues and I gathered at Domaine Carneros between the Napa and Sonoma Valleys for our final meeting (over wine and hors d'ouvres). The regular meetings with this group has been an important reminder of how much people rely on each other in ministry. We shared joys, sorrows, puzzles, questions, doubts, discernment, struggles, and new beginnings with each other. From the left: Pastor Scott Guemmer, Christ the King in Orangevale; Pastor Katie Hines-Shah, Shepherd of the Hills in Berkeley; Pastor Sharron Lubkeman, Christ in El Cerrito (and our leader); Pastor Jeff Thiemann, St. Matthew in Walnut Creek; Pastor Gabrielle Schroeder, Our Saviour's in South San Francisco; and me.

Dorothy Day House, Berkeley

I was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Dorothy Day House in Berkeley. Check the internet for ways that you can be involved in social ministries in your area.

PreviewPLTS

A few times a year, apart from individual visits, PLTS hosts a group of prospective students for PreviewPLTS. This 3+ day experience gives people the chance to visit PLTS and get a sense of what seminary would be like for them here. they viist classes, stay in PLTS housing, eat with students, faculty, and staff, and worship with the PLTS community. Many people, over the years, have said that visiting PLTS has been a definitive moment in their discernment . . . check it out!

Rocky Mountain Synod Discernment Retreat

I had the honor of being asked to be a speaker at the Rocky Mountain Synod's Spring Discernment Event. about 25 people gathered at Augustana Lutheran Church in Denver to consider their place and role in announcing God's kingdom of peace in the world. I was able to spend time talking with them about Luther's theology of vocation and the Biblical witness of being called, and responding to that call. We looked at Bible stories that don't often get lifted up in talk about vocation . . . ones in which the characters do not respond well. In all, it was a focused time to acknowledge that God calls all kinds of people in all kinds of ways and that we respond with all kinds of responses. It is this reality that opens up for each of us the possibility of recognizing God's call in our lives and the possibility that that call is to public ministry. I'm always honored to be asked to spend time with people who are wrestling with these questions!

(Here stands Madelyn Busse, a Diaconal Minister, next to a "Thinking Seminary" poster that the RMS puts up at gatherings of those thinking that way.)

Pennsylvania

I hadn't made the Pennsylvania trip in a while but was finally able to do so this year. Having served my internship in New Jersey, it was like going "home" for me! I was on the campus of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, where Pastor Peter Bredlau and a group of students joined us for dinner and conversation about vocation, seminary, and what might be next in their lives. These terrific students are actively discerning their vocation and are open to the fact that public ministry may be the thing to which God is calling them. It's hard for us, sometimes, to come to terms with that. As Luther said, sometimes we have the hardest time beleiveing we are holy.

At Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Chaplain Mark Radecke and another fantastic group of students met us for dinner and conversation at a local place called BJ's. We were with them until midnight! (Though we didn't start dinner until 9:00 because they were all participating in the 30 Hour Famine that day!). The diversity of interest in this group was really interesting to me. A couple of Church Music/Organ majors, philosophy majors, primarily religion majors, etc. I included the picture of the SU Crew because I was on the crew in college and miss those days! (Unlike soccer, there's not a lot of "pick-up rowing" that goes on!)

We had, as usual, such a good visit to these two ELCA colleges and I am excited for the future of the church based on the promise and potential of the students we met. Then it was off to Penn State for another great visit with Pastor Marsh and Alicia and their students for lunch, worship, conversation, and dinner. The Pasquerilla Spiritual Center at Penn State is the Ministry building for the entire university and, as such, is home to many communities. As we sat and ate and talked with these students, I thought about how well they will do at PLTS/GTU having this background!

I had to include this shot of Pr. Tom Henderson and me standing in front of some snow. He's my colleagues from Southern Seminary so he and I were particularly excited to see snow!

Challenge your mind, nurture your spirit, and engage the world!

Come to our summer session in sunny Berkeley, California sponsored by the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS). Our summer session is designed explicitly for clergy and lay leaders who want to broaden their theological understanding and strengthen their skills for effective ministry. Each weeklong course runs for five days (mornings or afternoons). Summer session runs July 5 – 27 and will be held on the CDSP campus in Berkeley. Participants earn two Continuing Education Units (no academic credit is awarded). For course descriptions and information about housing, see the Summer Session web site http://www.cdsp.edu/center_summer.php. Can’t get away this summer to attend a classroom-based course? Enroll in an online course! See http://www.cdsp.edu/center_online.php

Southern California!

Greetings from Southern California! Some of you regular readers know that the Admissions Directors of the ELCA Seminaries travel together in demonstration of our collegiality and the cohesiveness of the ELCA Seminary System. This past week, it was my turn to host the colleagues in California, as we made our way from Fuller Seminary, to CLU, to San Diego State University, and points in between. We spent a good bit of our time at California Lutheran University, up on the Ventura Coast of Southern California. There, we had dinner with the fine students you see above, as well as Pastor Scott and Dr. Paul Egertson of the CLU Faculty. Both of these guys are strong supporters of Lutheran education as well as of the spiritual lives of their students. Pastor Scott and Pastor Melissa (a PLTS-grad clergy couple) have the best job in the world (apart from mine), serving as the University Pastors at CLU. The passion they have for ministry and the love they have for their students is obvious in every encounter I've had with them. They are two of the (greatest people and) best pastors I know.

Do yourself a favor and find an opportunity to meet them.


We also spent some time with students at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena. These students have begun their education at a seminary outside of the ELCA and, so, will need to attend one of our ELCA seminaries in order to be ELCA pastors, diaconal ministers, or associates. We had lunch with them at the Westin Hotel in Pasadena, which afforded us this nice picture of Fuller students, Fuller faculty, and seminary colleagues.





San Diego: We also had the chance to go down to San Diego. There, we spread the wealth a bit by splitting up into three pairs and joining three different congregations at worship. Jenny (from Southern) and I were at College Lutheran Church where Pastor Doug (a PLTS graduate) invited us to join the congregation for their mid-week Lenten supper and worship. I preached a bit on Psalm 139, in keeping with their series of looking to the Psalms during our Lenten journey. Liza from Luther and Mark from Gettysburg went to St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, where they spoke to the confirmation class and preached at worship. Ruth from Wartburg and Joy from Chicago spent the evening with students at San Diego State University, preaching the Word at their evening worship. We all met back at SDSU's Agape House (that's right, South Dakota . . . we have an SDSU, too!) just in time for Eucharist and a visit with Pastor Molly (also a PLTS alumna) and the students at the (soon to be rebuilt and greatly expanded) Agape House.

Lest you think we work all the time, I did pull off the freeway for a few minutes to show my colleagues the newly built Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles (the Angels. In fact, the full name of that huge city is La Ciudad de Nuestra Senora, Reina de Los Angeles . . . The City of our Lady, Queen of the Angels. You can see why we call it LA!) Anyway, this is us in front of that beautiful, modern cathedral. If you find yourself in the area, stop by . . . it's well worth your time.



So, that's it from here. I'll use this space to make another plug for PLTS's Faith Active in Love program, as well as the PreviewPLTS weekend that is coming up in April. Send us an email for more information!

East Bay Cancer Support Group

My family supports the Easy Bay Cancer Support Group and, though this is not directly related to the ministry to which I'm called at PLTS, I wanted to include it here. My grandmother is one of the founders of the organization (that's her in the flashy pink number) and it's become an important part of our philanthropy. The Group provides counseling and care for people impacted in any way by Cancer.

California Lutheran University

I had the good fortune of representing PLTS at the Installation of CLU's president Dr. John Sladek. I was also able to spend some time with some CLU students who are considering coming to PLTS in the next couple of years. Here is a shot of me with Pastor Scott Maxwell-Doherty who, with his wife, Pastor Mellissa, is a PLTS graduate and one of the University Pastors.

Hiking

Some of you who have been considering coming to PLTS have asked what the weather is like in the winter. My wife and I went hiking one February day and stopped to take this picture. It was about 80 degrees and just a fantastic day! So, bring shorts and short sleeves! :)

The Youth Ministry Extravaganza

The Youth Ministry Extravaganza was in Tampa, Florida this year and the Seminaries were asked again to have a presence there! This was our BOLD CALL table of information. We had a great visit there and lots of good conversation with people who are engaged in and/or preparing for Youth and Family Ministry at a seminary . . . like PLTS, for example!

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity

Though it doesn't really have to do with my work in Admissions, I wanted to mention a project that my wife and I have been involved in. We volunteered, through our local Thrivent Office, with Habitat for Humanity on a home that was build in a neighboring town. On this day, we were there for the dedication with Pastor Dan Senter (PLTS '91) presiding and presenting the family with a Bible as a reminder of the stories of ancient people struggling for a better life. May it be the story of the family moving into this house.

Pictures

An Update about pictures: Instead of clogging up this webspace with pictures, I've moved them to another site (see http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=ij9vmbt.1cqb511h&Uy=-w3x6zm&Ux=1) and kept this space for journaling/reflection. Check out the pictures . . .

Day Fourteen

On Thursday, January 18th we watched a video on globalization and militarization called “Guns and Greed,” which was followed by a session with Pastor Kim called “Globalization and the Gospel.” After lunch, I assigned a paper to the group and we met by seminary groups to discuss our individual and collective Action Plan for taking what we’ve learned back to the US. Here is the PLTS Crew. After some free time, shopping, packing, picture taking, etc, we had our Closing Worship Celebration.

Day Thirteen

On Wednesday, January 17th we went to the city of Xochimilco, the last vestige of Aztec culture in the Valley of Mexico. Here, transportation is still largely via the city’s waterways, which is how people got around when this was a lake. There, we visited the Community Center of Enlace, Communicación y Capacitación (Connection, Communication, and Training). They run many programs, about which I will write when I have my notebook in front of me. Afterward, we took a boat right, which is where I encoutered this little guy!

Day Twelve

On Tuesday, January 16th we heard from Pastor Kim about the “Liberating Role of Our Lady of Guadalupe” before heading out to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe to tour the Basilica and its grounds and have some time for meditation. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe has an interesting story. On 9 December 1531, Juan Diego (not his given name, but his Christian name) was traveling between Tlateloca and Tepeyac and heard music that led him to an encounter of an apparition of the Virgin Mary near the road. She told him that this spot should be a place of worship. She continued to speak to him over the course of the next 3 days and finally, on the 12th, she appeared in the middle of the road, told him that his uncle who had been sick would survive, and told him to climb a particular hill to pick some roses, which would have been out of season in December. When he did, he loaded them up in the front of his cape and took them to the church, dropping them at the bishop’s feet. To their great surprise, the image of the virgin was imprinted on Juan Diego’s cape!

There is, of course, much debate about the validity of this claim. Was it really an apparition? Was it a hoax by the church to convert the indigenous? There is a saying here of the “Mexico Profundo,” or the “Deeper Mexico” that lies at the root of Mexican history. In this case, the images in this story are quite symbolic of Mexico, including the use of music and flowers to bracket the story, because a word that indigenous people use for Truth is, literally, flower-music. The message about Juan Diego’s uncle is symbolic of the inheritance that passed from uncles to nephews in this part of the world. And, the image of Mary herself is one of dark skin, standing before the Sun, standing atop the moon, with stars on her cloak. These are all local images of native people. In other words, God speaks to them through their own people. To remember this, I bought a brown-thread rosary at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. By it, I’ll be reminded that messages from God are couched in our own experiences and our own realities. (By the way, one sees the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe by passing by it on a conveyor belt in the basilica!)

After time at the Basilica of OLG, we left for the Ancient City of Teotihuacán, about 30 miles northeast of the city, for a picnic lunch among the cactus and a tour of this ancient pyramid site. The most striking thing to me here was that it, unlike many other ancient temples and things in Mexico, was not built over by a Christian church. The reason is that it is pre-hispanic in origin . . . it was built about 1500 years ago. It was abandoned in the 7th century, though no one knows why, and was inhabited by various tribes including the Mexicas (me-SHEE-cas), after whom this country is named. It was discovered some 500 years after its most recent inhabitants died so there was no culture to conquer and it was left standing by the Spaniards.

We returned to the Lutheran Center for dinner and an introduction to “Solidarity Economics” with Sister Elba Flores Nuñez, a Missionary of the Immaculate Conception who works at the Centro de Estudios Ecumenicos. Sr. Elba talked about the goal of an economy in which we think about tomorrow and the needs of our descendents. In Solidarity Economics, every created thing has a right to exist. The principles of harmony, necessity, and relationship are key to the ways that a Solidarity Economic is laid out. In it, people things of the producers and the consequences of their purchasing power. For example, if someone, in desperation, is trying to sell something for much less than I know it is worth, the right thing to do is pay them what it’s worth . . . buy justly, sell justly. In Mercado Economics, I look for the lowest price to buy and the highest price to sell. Solidarity Economics is an effort to raise the consciousness of consumption, and it is (according to Sr. Elba) urgent, necessary, and possible.