Thoughts from an UMAC newbie

Some people check the water level of the proverbial pool before they jump in. But you all know that I’m not ‘some people.’
I’m a co-chair of my Annual Conference’s Communications team, and frequently contribute to our online and print media communication. This qualifies me to become, as I did this year, a member of the [...]

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 [...]

Why I didn’t ignore them.

It’s a fair question, and one I’ve wrestled with a lot, as you know if you’ve been reading. I found myself articulating it pretty well to a friend who’s keeping me honest about my motives. What I said, in part, was this:

I do think that ignoring the Westboro Baptist Church is the best approach. Unfortunately, [...]

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 [...]

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…)

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 [...]

In the News

This past week, I had an article published in The Bridge, Montpelier’s independent newspaper. That article was an edited version of two of my earlier posts about houselessness/homelessness (found here and here). Since that time, I’ve had several folks contact me about doing more together to find sustainable solutions to the housing shortage in our [...]