Community Matters

(Community Matters) So, over just the last couple of days, I’ve connected with someone with whom I went to elementary school 40 years ago. I’m embarrassed to admit I have zero recollection of him. Evidently we were in patrols & third grade together. Doubly surprised I don’t remember him because he’s Black. I don’t even remember having a Black friend until junior high. Our schools just weren’t very integrated. I don’t remember a Black classmate until Johnny Johnson in junior high.

And, tonight, he’s told me we were kissing friends. Again, no recollection and didn’t even realize what this meant. Further into the IM chat, I asked if kissing friends meant we actually kissed. He said yes, in the circular drive at Wainwright Elementary – seriously, I have zero recall; thought the first boy I kissed was . . . . well, that’s another story and many many years later.

(Community Matters) Two very different responses to my posting on Bishop Andy Doyle

ah, yes. the two-step is a lovely dance. I’m glad you can appreciate its nuances…

and

Eugene – your take doesn’t surprise me – afterall you had no problem with Rick Warren at Obama’s inaguration. This kind of accomodation keeps us at the table and out of power. He is the BISHOP of the diocese – if he wanted to avoid this pain for those of us who are gay and lesbian he could take a leadership role, he could LEAD the diocese to do the right thing(inclusion) but he won’t and you’ll be okay with that – no surprise on either count.

The first acknowledges my belief that Bishop Andy is much more liberal than he wants to be framed and “no change” is likely language for autonomy by parish. The second comment is likely from a reader not familiar with our church and understandably impatient.

I’ve played both roles. I’ve created impatience and chaos and have sacrificed career for making statements, for demanding equality. And, there is a responsibility that comes with influence, one that often places you in the crossfire of both sides. My first draft of the previous posting wasn’t so understanding nor optimistic. Then, I reflected on meeting and talking with Bishop Andy, on the perspectives of mutual friends, and on the nuance of language.

That a damning comment comes anonymously says something in addition to the message. What’s especially interesting is I probably know the reader, and it’s likely someone with whom I play opposite roles in another forum.

I am offended by the statement “accommodation keeps us at the table and out of power.” I’d place my record for change and progress on LGBT equality, HIV/AIDS & breast cancer issues up against all but a hand full of Austin gay men still alive.

Nevertheless, impatience is good and prompts progress.

(Community Matters) Evan Smith interviews the new Episcopal Bishop in this month’s Texas Monthly. Bishop Andy acknowledges our diocese’s diversity and his own relationships with gay/lesbian friends, and he indicates the diocese “will not see change” in its practices. To the extent that this allows individual parishes to continue same-sex blessings and for LGBT priests to continue practicing in the diocese – while not especially bold leadership – perhaps a sign of more inclusion in our future.

Even though there is a great diversity of points of view on this topic, the people of the diocese will not see changes in how we look at same-sex blessings or unions, nor on the topic of ordination of bishops. Now—and this is the important part for me—I grew up in a diverse culture and have friends who are gay and lesbian. The reality of our diocese is that we have gays and lesbians who go to our churches. They find their spiritual journeys entwined with our own in this place. So when I make the statement that things will not change, there is a great deal of pain. I am unwilling to pretend that pain is not there.

As to his statement about the ordination of Bishops, I don’t believe he’s not friends with & supportive of Bishop Robinson. Disappointing he’s signaling his unwillingness to support a gay or lesbian as a Suffragan Bishop nor same-sex unions, yet.

(Community Matters) I’m making myself not watch the hearings, though I agree they are extraordinarily important. I am peeking in from time to time thru NYT blog.

(Community Matters) yikes . . . means will have to break for at least a short nap during the day.

(Community Matters) 71% of Republicans Would Vote for Sarah Palin for President – so says recent USA Today/Gallup poll according to Frank Rich.

(Community Matters) Excerpts from our very dear friend, Fthr. William Seth Adams’ sermon this morning:

the context for this sermon for those who do not know St. James Episcopal is that it was founded primarily by faculty members of Huston-Tillotson who were not allowed to worship at St. Davids because they were Black. Until 12 years or so ago, the congregation was nearly all African American. Since then, we have wrestled with a growing Anglo, Hispanic and African population, as well as a sizeable population of same-sex couples and parents adopting children of different cultures.

Reverend Adams:

. . . . I once described us, the people of St. James’ Church, I once described us to someone as “eccentric.” And not only that, but I said it was a remarkable virtue. As time has gone on, I am all the more certain that I am right. “Eccentric” and prophetic calling go hand in hand. “Not in the center,” that’s what “eccentric” means, “not in the center. That is where we are in the great scheme of things in east Austin, in the Episcopal Church. We are “not in the center,” and what a mercy that is. We are off center, perhaps on the edge. From there we have a prospect, a vantage point sufficiently distant from the center to be able to see what can’t be seen from the center. Our eccentricity is such a blessing!

. . . . In the lower right hand corner of some page in our local newspaper, very recently, our City Manager, Marc Ott, observed that, in his many years of civic public service in a number of major cities, Austin is the most clearly racially divided city he has known. The interstate highway that bisects our city is the marker of that divide, though surely the division is more complicated than that.

If we testify that racial separation and division are contrary to the good of our city, and if we testify that such division is not consistent with the wishes of God, and if we know ourselves to be a community called to risk prophetic action, what then? How can what happens here every Sunday become a paradigm for this city?

. . . . So I propose to the Vestry an invitation, first, to the congregation, and then to the City Manager and Chief of Police, an invitation to a meeting with us as we offer ourselves for prophetic action [hosting conversations that speak the truth about racial tensions & which discover paths for reconciliation – my words, inserted, not Bill’s] , the call which action we have answered before.

. . . . There would be a cost.* But called as we are, we really have no choice.

* the cost refers to Bill’s interpretations of two gospel readings about prophecy and the often condemnation of those speaking the truth

Karen & Ed Hartwell

(Community Matters) . . . and whether or not to prosecute Bush administration officials for torture. An excellent Newsweek story.

Illuminating perspective on an AG’s tension between serving as a member of the president’s cabinet and running the necessarily autonomous judiciary agency – also on the desire to please, to be a team member and his regret in having abetted the Marc Rich pardon.

(Community Matters) Love that Kate and Pedro met in a bar in Spain, the summer before Pedro was moving to Austin. Even more that they met the summer she was visiting the Miro-Rivera clan in Madrid; I think Rosa’s mom was even with Kate when they met. I remember the summer and Lynn, Tommy, Rosa, Juan, Steven and I wishing we could all visit.

@ St. Teresa’s lighting a candle

Beautiful ceremony – including a full mass and a wonderful string ensemble.

the Four Season’s San Jacinto ballroom

The Four Seasons was transformed by David Kurio & Victoria Hentrich into a dark paneled den, luxurious club rooms, a magnificent ballroom and a foyer of deep-pile white carpet. Steven and I zipped over from the church to the reception, so most of my wide-eyed reception pics were even before others arrived.

a lounge are in the main ballroom

The bride and her attendants exquisite. Mother of the bride, simply wow. Tommy with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen – and big smiles are his usual way of being. Lots of friends and family from all over the world. Many Austinites in the middle of summers on a coast who flew back in for the wedding.

one of the bars in the main ballroom

Can’t remember the band’s name but they were excellent. It was great, three main spaces where you could mingle, and even though lots of guests, plenty of room including quiet.

first dance as a married couple

Kate & Pedro Andrade live in San Jose – she teaches elementary and he’s in treasury at Apple. Best wishes to the newlyweds.

(Community Matters) Another instance of police action against a gay couple for a pda – kissing on the cheek. This is ludicrous. Maybe, maybe, maybe somewhere where without a doubt a straight couple would be harassed for the same thing would it be okay to harass a same-sex couple for kissing publicly. Otherwise, get over it!

(Community Matters) Just read draft first act of Michael Mitchell’s new play. It’s intoxicatingly powerful. Congrats, MM

(Community Matters) Cover of this week’s Economist: America’s future: California v Texas

California ranked the worst state to do business in by Chief Executive; Texas ranked the best. Texas – small government, no state capital-gain or income tax, a business-friendly and immigrant-tolerant attitude. But, under investing in education resulting in a “lost generation” of mostly Hispanic Texans with insufficient skills for the demands of our economy. Both states have a lot to learn from each other. Never count CA out. story