Recommended Reading, Listening and Watching 12-15-15 Edition

Each week (more or less) I send out an e-mail to my congregation sharing my thoughts along with a list of things I’ve read, listened to or watched that I think are worth passing along.  Here's the latest.

Recommended Reading and Listening

CCCUCC Folks in the News Jan Parks was quoted in another KC Star story on the use of TIF money to subsidize a development in the west Crossroads District.  She, along with other supporters of KC Public Schools and members of MORE2--including me, believe this is a case of the KC government continuing to subsidize developmen in areas that will be developed no matter what.  TIF money is supposed to be used for blighted properties.  TIF money is disproportionately used in west KC rather than east of Troost Ave. in poorer and historically African American neighborhoods.  Furthermore, using TIFS in this case would mean millions of dollars that will not go to KC Public Schools or public libraries. United Church of Christ Great thoughts about Advent Joy by Missouri Mid-South UCC Conference Minister Ginny Brown Daniel.   Great thoughts by Kansas-Oklahoma UCC Conference Minister Edith Guffey on whether this time of mass shootings is our new normal and what that means for churches working for peace. I heartily recommend the weekly podcast from UCC General Minister and President John Dorhauer called "Into the Mystic."  This week's episode is on joy. Have you noticed our "Be the Church" banner we sometimes display on our church's front lawn?  A NJ UCC church has one and it was recently vandalized.  Here's how they responded. UCC and Disciples leaders express solidarity with Muslims, condemn religious hate speech. A California UCC church took a stand for Syrian refugees and they got some ugly responses. John Dorhauer's (UCC General Minister and President) blog post about mass shootings Responding to Anti-Muslim Rhetoric and Actions In my sermon on Sunday, I shared the terrific story in the Kansas City Star this past weekend about KC Chiefs player Hussein Abdullah's Muslim faith. Also in my sermon on Sunday, I mentioned this article about a hugely popular anti-Catholic and anti-Jewish newspaper published a century ago in southwest Missouri.  What's amazing is how if you take out the words "Catholic" and "Jew" and replace them with "Muslim" the same things are being said today. I signed a petition this week along with other faith leaders objecting to the anti-Muslim rhetoric of presidential candidate Donald Trump. I was sorry to miss the press conference last week of area faith leaders condemning the policy of the Kansas state government of forbidding Syrian refugees in the state, although I was certainly with them in spirit.   I'm grateful to these Kansas clergy who delivered a petition to the Kansas statehouse objecting to the state's refusal to allow in Syrian refugees. A century ago in SW Missouri the nation's largest anti-Catholic newspaper sold millions of copies. Replace "Catholic" with "Muslim" and it appears nothing has changed.  "Don't Make San Bernadino a Victory for ISIS": A sensible and reasonable op-ed by a Naval Reserve officer, Naval War College instructor, trainer of Navy SEALS, etc. who happens also to be Muslim. Of course, there is hardly anything "reasonable or sensible" happening politically in America right now.  Arizona Senator Jeff Flake visited a mosque in his state to demonstrate all Republicans aren't like Donald Trump. Muslims are often criticized for not condemning terrorists, but they issue such condemnations all the time.  No one pays attention. Climate Change The deal struck at the climate change meeting in Paris is a positive step, but Bill Mckibben points out that it is twenty years too late. Gun Violence An eloquent NY Times editorial that ran on page one wrestles both with the complexity of our gun problem and the great cost we all bear. It looks to me like Jerry Falwell, Jr. is just as bad as his father--as evidenced by his urging of Liberty University students to carry guns.  This school doesn't trust its students to hold hands but it's okay to pack heat? Brian McLaren has a terrific response to Jerry Falwell, Jr. and Liberty University noting that if Muslims are expected to call out their extremists then Christians should too. Another eloquent NY Times editorial "Despair Over Gun Deaths is Not an Option" published on the anniversary of the Newtown massacre. The Congressman who made the amendment prohibiting research on gun violence twenty years ago now regrets doing so. Why faith-based advocacy groups, including churches, have trouble making meaningful gun reforms happen. The satirical newspaper The Onion continues to run the same sadly ironic story after every mass shooting: "There's No Way to Prevent This Says Only Country Where This Regularly Happens" "Prayer doesn't fix things.  Prayers shows us what needs to be fixed." A great blog post by Timothy Tutt, UCC minister in Washington, D.C. and a friend of mine from seminary days. The (non-)War on Christmas The satirical newspaper The Onion once again shows through satire how ridiculous many American Christians are for claiming they are persecuted.   Ever wonder what the harm is in saying "Merry Christmas" to a stranger?  This thoughtful Jewish writer tells you her thoughts. LGBTQ Equality Let's all remember that the fight for LGBTQ equality is not over.  The story out this week about the  Kansas Department of Child and Family Services actively discriminating against same sex couples proves we still have work to do. Gratitude The story I shared in my sermon on Sunday about the boy saying grace and offering thanks for everything in the room came from this UCC Daily Devotional by Cameron Trimble, Executive Director of the Center for Progressive Renewal. Misc. Stuff I think is Cool A great UCC Daily Devotional by UCC minister Molly Baskette about breaking the cycle of being either a victim or a victor. A great devotional blog post on finding Advent hope. The  second season of the podcast Serial dropped this week.  I'm super excited. You can find more stuff that I think is worth reading, watching and listening to by following me on Facebook and Twitter.