I’m not ready to *not* make nice…

Howdy, y’all, from down here in Nashville! I’m attending the United Methodist Association of Communicators’ Annual Meeting (about which I will say more later), where this blog, that’s right, this very one, has been awarded Best in Class for non-fiction in the local church category.
No pressure there.
So, on to being relevant. Today, my inbox was [...]

Where’s Waldo? – Becca edition

A very eagle-eyed food pantry volunteer asked if that was in fact me she saw in the paper at the demonstration. In fact it is. I’m bringing such a powerful witness that you can hardly see it…
Need some help? I’m between the S in “God hates Obama” and the top left corner of the rainbow [...]

Love is louder (and a lot more fun) than hate.

I was not as silent as I thought I’d be.
I really tried, but it was just too much fun to sing happy songs and laugh along with the clowns (who insisted they weren’t the biggest circus in town). The ignoring-them idea is good in theory, but would only work if everyone does it; as long [...]

The silent NO.

Tomorrow is the day that Montpelier anticipates the arrival of the Westboro Baptist Church picketers, and our local paper is abuzz with letters to the editor and articles arguing for various responses (in addition to the GLAD donation program, which you can read about on my blog or visit at facebook here to learn about [...]

News again

This time, I think even my staunchest, most conservative colleagues and friends can’t argue with the position I’ve taken. Barre/Montpelier Times Argus: Montpelierites (including one Methodist pastor) debate whether to protest Westboro group. I do think I said pray and puzzle; I remember the alliteration. Other than that, a great article that points out the [...]

What’s a Christian to Do?

Back from a lovely family vacation, and I learn online and from local media that the Westboro Baptist Church (no, I will not plug them with a link!) plans to visit my fair city next week. On September 1, Vermont’s equal marriage bill goes into effect, and so the hate-sign toting anti-gay ignoramuses from the [...]

My Kind of Church

Loving this video: Reasons people don’t go to church.
What are some reasons you don’t go to church (or didn’t)? What are some reasons you do (or might)?
—
HT: Jonathan Brink
(p.s.- I want a video like this for my church…)

A Wise Latina, racism, and white privilege

Judge Sonia Sotomayor can’t really say what needs to be said with reference to her ‘wise Latina’ quote, because she’s trying to get herself confirmed by Democrats and Republicans alike.
But I want her to say it.
Here are her statements, in what I hope is some context, lifted from another blog:
I would hope that a wise [...]

All means, well, All.

Up for debate in United Methodist Conferences around the world this month: who can decide which people are allowed membership in a local United Methodist Church. The ammendment to the UMC’s Constitution, which passed General Conference in 2008 and now must pass 2/3 of all Conferences by a 2/3 vote stipulates that no one can [...]

On Equal Marriage

Today, one week after the press conference for clergy in support of equal marriage, the Vermont Senate will conclude its hearings on full marriage rights for gay and lesbian persons in Vermont.
As many of you may know or have seen, I have made myself a pretty vocal and visible supporter of equal marriage. I will [...]