Community Matters

(Community Matters) I didn’t realize:

Obama won the vote of veterans under 45, taking 51 percent.

(Community Matters) . . . being attached to a defense authorization bill – good for them. And, I realize the GOP criticism is just part of politics. We just need it passed. For those reading or seeing the criticism that it puts clergy at risk, please know this isn’t true. It’s politics at its worst – blatant lies and fear mongering. No party has a monopoly at this.

Maybe I’m finally growing less amused or even excited by the television grandstanding by each side – realizing it’s politics as usual, whether or not it reflects an individual legislator’s personal perspective.

The Sotomayor hearings a perfect example. Obviously, 75% for media consumption – she’s forced to play the game as well. oh well, I aspire to be appreciative of all who serve and to find some good in each. – Gail Collins on the hearings

(Community Matters) Short profile in the Beast.

(Community Matters) Wow, someone should stop me from traveling to Starbuck’s, blogging and posting on Facebook when I’ve just woken up from a night’s sleep with Ambion. Looking back on yesterday morning, I realize I was barely awake for a couple hours after waking up. At Starbucks this morning, they kept quiet and when I asked about yesterday, they were very sweet and stated they had no memory. Well, I know I spilt my drink and must have looked a fright walking like Frankenstein doubled over with a bad back. Reading my FB and blog postings, well, I just need to beware.

(Community Matters)

I don’t want to be mad at people or circumstances. I just want Steven, my family, friends & communities to be well, enjoy life, succeed in their individual endeavors. Want less personal visibility and more impact helping others.

(Community Matters) Stories can be told graphically

here

(Community Matters) I haven’t been keeping up with blogs or even my list serve emails this week. Just reading about the potential moratorium and even about Senate Majority Leader Reid’s willingness to overturn DA/DT. wow . . .

(Community Matters) Staff outing for lunch today was the showing at Alamo Drafthouse S. Lamar

Peter, Amanda & Shobie

(Community Matters) Update: We went to see the new Harry Potter 🙂 It was a surprise for our staff

We’ve arranged an EF staff mtg over today’s long lunch – 2.5 hours of powerful media presentations by leaders of today’s Y generation – to better inform us of Gen Y & X team norms, the dynamics of leadership, project management, disaster recovery, responsible stewardship & the power of clarity, vision & mission.

(Community Matters) I’ve just had a chance to skim Brian Solis’ piece on the evolution of the public relations industry?

Social Media symbolizes a crossroads for public relations representing the decision we, as individuals, face in our career. In one direction, we can adopt the transparency and the expertise necessary to genuinely and sincerely connect directly with our customers, peers and the influencers who advise them. In the other direction, we can continue relying on hyperbole and jargon filled press releases for coverage, spamming targets with irrelevant information, maintaining a superficial and shallow knowledge of the products and industries we represent, and maintaining distant and removed relations with those we wish to cover our stories.

The new world of influence demands customer empathy, evangelism, passion, expertise, and knowledge – everything else is disposable and takes away from your focus and potential.

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) The national “gathering of the faithful,” the Episcopal General Convention in Anaheim, CA includes the lay nominee of The Texas Diocese, a member of St. James’ & our very dear friend, Ora Houston. Of course another very dear & supportive friend is there as a clerical leader, the Bishop of Seattle, The Rght Rev. Bishop Greg Rickles.

from Huffington Post:

Bishops at the Episcopal General Convention in Anaheim, Calif., voted 99-45 with two abstentions for a statement declaring “God has called and may call” to ministry gays in committed lifelong relationships.

Lay and priest delegates to the meeting had comfortably approved a nearly identical statement, and were expected to adopt the latest version before the meeting ends Friday.

the Episcopal gay advocacy group Integrity, said in a statement Monday night that the declaration “effectively ends” the temporary prohibition on gays in ministry. Integrity called the vote “another step in the Episcopal Church’s `coming out’ process.” Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who leads the Episcopal Church, was among bishops who voted to approve the declaration.

offers a friend from the floor of the convention:

So to daily reflections and prayers… the chaplain of the House of Deputies is Rev. Wade from Washington. He offers a reflection and/or a prayer at opening, around noon day and before we leave for the day. When emotional issues arise on the floor (the vote regarding the Bishop of Ecuador Central), he is called upon to offer prayer. Rev. Wade has truly been given the gift of prayer from God. Plus he is able to spontaneous encapsulate all of the fear and hopes that Deputies feel on the floor and weave them into a prayer that touches the hearts of people from every persuasion. There have been times that the words God gives him move me to tears.

Today I thank God for using Rev. Wade to heal wounded souls and keeping hope alive in those who feel betrayed by the Church.