The UMC has something called the Young Adult Fellowship, and at our church, over the years, we've gotten into the habit of using the acronyms YAF for short. At the time I joined this particular church, the name was pretty much written in stone, with very little hopes of changing into an alternative label. The unfortunate thing about YAF is that it is a label for a certain demographic, one that we no longer fit into. We are all career professionals who no longer use college or graduate school as a time marker for where we are in life. We don't identify with activities, ideologies, and structures that have been pre-shaped for the college-age. But because it is so much quicker to say the one-syllable "YAF", we've not bothered too much to find a name neutral in age, race, ethnicity, career/occupation, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and marital status. It's not that we wish to have a carte blanche; we simply want something large and general enough to encompass the diversity of who we are, and to label ourselves as YAF seems so restrictive and prescriptive.
I've been mulling over a few names, but none have seriously taken root. Will report later.
So, a handful of us have decided to meet every Friday night for small group discussion. It's not easy to gather a group of folks together on a Friday night, but we are committed. We dine, whine, and talk. Just Friday past, while still figuring out what we wanted to take up as a first topic, we launched int a conversation involving politics, faith, religion, Lot's wife, Hagar, prayer, spiritual gifts, talents, abusive relationships, upcoming elections, and a host of other topics. Just going by Friday night's discussion, I'm sure the small group will be interesting.
After much deliberation, we decided to take up the Effective Stewardship Curriculum recently produced by the Acton Institute. More on this later.
I'm hopeful that this will be a great experience -- challenging, fulfilling, etc, etc.
August 11, 2008
Nice to meet you Brad
My brother has decided (half seriously, half jokingly) that, at select times in his waking life (and perhaps in his dreams, too), he will take up an English name: Brad.
While I find this incredibly amusing and have dismissed this as pure talk on his part, I think he is motivated by a deep sense of frustration at people's inability to pronounce and spell his name. They just don't *get it*. The language barriers on their part are insurmountable, so he feels compelled to assist the world in acknowledging his name. If they can't do it, he will accommodate their deficiencies by changing his label. (I feel differently, but you've already heard about that before.)
We were at Rubio's one day, and he decided to test his new name... so Brad ordered a burrito and gave his name to the cashier, only to have the cashier throw it back in his face. "Bread? Huh? Can you spell that?"
Brad was not amused. TA was not amused. Granted, the cashier was hard of hearing. Nevertheless, it was irksome that his attempt of giving the Anglicized name didn't carry over too well and he was once again having to reiterate names to a stranger.
I was amused. Very much so. I've never truly believed, in jest or in seriousness, that changing my name would help people know me or understand my person better. In fact, when they are truly interested in getting to know me, they would inquire about my name and how to accurately pronounce or spell it. If they choose to dismiss me and not interact with me as a person, most of the time, they will be inclined to do so whether my name is Josephine or Mary or Fredrika or HAT.
When we were younger, my mom, sister and I used to joke that we might one day change our names to Rosemary. We'd all be Rosemary. Wherever we go, all three of us would use the name Rosemary, and people would have to figure out how else to differentiate us from one another.
If given the chance, would I change my name? What are the pros and cons of doing something like that? How could I imagine hearing myself called by any other name?
While I find this incredibly amusing and have dismissed this as pure talk on his part, I think he is motivated by a deep sense of frustration at people's inability to pronounce and spell his name. They just don't *get it*. The language barriers on their part are insurmountable, so he feels compelled to assist the world in acknowledging his name. If they can't do it, he will accommodate their deficiencies by changing his label. (I feel differently, but you've already heard about that before.)
We were at Rubio's one day, and he decided to test his new name... so Brad ordered a burrito and gave his name to the cashier, only to have the cashier throw it back in his face. "Bread? Huh? Can you spell that?"
Brad was not amused. TA was not amused. Granted, the cashier was hard of hearing. Nevertheless, it was irksome that his attempt of giving the Anglicized name didn't carry over too well and he was once again having to reiterate names to a stranger.
I was amused. Very much so. I've never truly believed, in jest or in seriousness, that changing my name would help people know me or understand my person better. In fact, when they are truly interested in getting to know me, they would inquire about my name and how to accurately pronounce or spell it. If they choose to dismiss me and not interact with me as a person, most of the time, they will be inclined to do so whether my name is Josephine or Mary or Fredrika or HAT.
When we were younger, my mom, sister and I used to joke that we might one day change our names to Rosemary. We'd all be Rosemary. Wherever we go, all three of us would use the name Rosemary, and people would have to figure out how else to differentiate us from one another.
If given the chance, would I change my name? What are the pros and cons of doing something like that? How could I imagine hearing myself called by any other name?
August 10, 2008
HAT's back on track
This has been a full summer. Still is a full summer. While I continue to sigh and complain to my friends and loved ones that I'm too busy doing one thing or another, I admit to feeling quite satisfied in being productive, in actually being proactive instead of just slowly moving through my days trying to fill up time with semi-meaningful tasks. Alongside the fun activities of fellowship that one gets to do in the summer, I've also managed to move out of the spacious apartment and moved into the slightly smaller apartment around the corner. In addition to having successfully stuffed myself into this new space, T4 and I will be hosting our very first open house BBQ this weekend with an expected 40 guests in attendance.
Some things that HAT has been working on:
1) Holy/Wholly Poetry: Articulating the Sacred in Poetic Form.
Thanks to CDSP's Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership, I am teaching an online class on poetry and spirituality. Since this is a summer course, is online, and includes creative writing, the Director of the center and I did not expect for the class to launch with more than 5 students. To our surprise, the class was filled with a rich, diverse group of students (I say students but they're all older continuing education folks who are taking the class for "fun" in addition to their full-time work). I have been blessed by their continued patience and enthusiasm, and I am excited to have this opportunity to challenge myself and to learn and grow alongside these incredibly talented individuals. We have finished five weeks and are headed into our sixth with great energy...
2) Small group discussions
For the past two months, our Chinatown-based multi-generational, multi-cultural congregation has been fortunate enough to welcome new, young, career professionals into our community. These folks are a part of my particular demographic, with similar interests and concerns about faith, religion, community, etc. We've decided to start a small group which meets every Friday night to discuss a variety of issues. I just happened to be the person designated to "call the meeting" but mostly it's because I'm lucky enough to have space to host the small group at our house. We have energy and we are excited about where we're heading.
3) unFound Exhibition 2008
Yes, yes, yes, we are actually doing it! The exhibition is on! We have finalized the writing materials that will be used for the visual arts portion, which is being constructed as we speak. The plans are in place and we launch on the weekend of September 6th in Stockton. The exhibition will also include an opening reception, with writing and arts workshops being offered on the weekend. After the Stockton show, we'll be exhibiting in Oakland at Interplayce. Afterwards, we'll be hanging the installation in the Bade Museum in Berkeley. Abby and I are absolutely thrilled (albeit still slightly shocked, in disbelief) that this is coming together so quickly and so well. Preparing for the exhibition has kept us tremendously busy, but we are pleased to have the opportunity to bring our creative arts together with our faith, culture, and theology.
4) Hospitality task force
While our church continues on our path of (re)(en)visioning, we seek to restructure our culture of hospitality by developing a brand new hospitality task force. Since I started working with the planning team, I find myself mired in notes-taking, phone conferencing, email exchanging, and after-worship discussing -- so similar to the office work, but only a bit more complicated and less structured. I'm encouraged by the dedication apparent in the other members of the team, and am inspired by them to continue working on these monumental tasks, even if at times it feels so overwhelming. Over the summer, we picked up momentum and are steadily gaining speed as we continue through Ordinary Time.
5) Fertile Grounds Writers Group
I call it a group, but it really only includes three. We meet every Monday at the designated time in our favorite cafe and talk about writing. We alternate turns submitting work for critique and we cycle through all the genres, depending on what we are working with currently. I appreciate this group b/c we are all writers of one kind or another, and we really get into the meat and potatoes. Last week, we talked about redemptive figures and hero myths in a children's story that one person is writing. This Monday, we talk about identity issues and naming. Next week, we'll probably have a piece dealing with theology and missiology. I'm practically drooling as I think about the tough work we have ahead. I'm so excited that we actually do this!!!
6) Renga Writing Group
As some of you know, I am a member of the renga writing group. We've been slowly but steadily compiling our rengas about a variety of topics. The seed for this group was sown years ago in a graduate writing workshop, and after months of collaborative writing, and through hundreds of books that we've read, we've now reached the penultimate verse of our most recent renga (more accurately called a kasen) about Idolatrous Art. Just last week, we've gained another member to the group, and we are busily thinking about possible topics for the new kasen. Stay posted and you'll soon see the new kasen unfold on our blog.
All these projects, in addition to work, have kept me busy, so even though I am complaining on the side, it's only by habit. I am grateful for the chance to do all these things. For the ability to bring together my writing, my faith, and my administrative skills in productive and meaningful ways, I give thanks to God, our Creator, Inspiration, and Teacher.
Some things that HAT has been working on:
1) Holy/Wholly Poetry: Articulating the Sacred in Poetic Form.
Thanks to CDSP's Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership, I am teaching an online class on poetry and spirituality. Since this is a summer course, is online, and includes creative writing, the Director of the center and I did not expect for the class to launch with more than 5 students. To our surprise, the class was filled with a rich, diverse group of students (I say students but they're all older continuing education folks who are taking the class for "fun" in addition to their full-time work). I have been blessed by their continued patience and enthusiasm, and I am excited to have this opportunity to challenge myself and to learn and grow alongside these incredibly talented individuals. We have finished five weeks and are headed into our sixth with great energy...
2) Small group discussions
For the past two months, our Chinatown-based multi-generational, multi-cultural congregation has been fortunate enough to welcome new, young, career professionals into our community. These folks are a part of my particular demographic, with similar interests and concerns about faith, religion, community, etc. We've decided to start a small group which meets every Friday night to discuss a variety of issues. I just happened to be the person designated to "call the meeting" but mostly it's because I'm lucky enough to have space to host the small group at our house. We have energy and we are excited about where we're heading.
3) unFound Exhibition 2008
Yes, yes, yes, we are actually doing it! The exhibition is on! We have finalized the writing materials that will be used for the visual arts portion, which is being constructed as we speak. The plans are in place and we launch on the weekend of September 6th in Stockton. The exhibition will also include an opening reception, with writing and arts workshops being offered on the weekend. After the Stockton show, we'll be exhibiting in Oakland at Interplayce. Afterwards, we'll be hanging the installation in the Bade Museum in Berkeley. Abby and I are absolutely thrilled (albeit still slightly shocked, in disbelief) that this is coming together so quickly and so well. Preparing for the exhibition has kept us tremendously busy, but we are pleased to have the opportunity to bring our creative arts together with our faith, culture, and theology.
4) Hospitality task force
While our church continues on our path of (re)(en)visioning, we seek to restructure our culture of hospitality by developing a brand new hospitality task force. Since I started working with the planning team, I find myself mired in notes-taking, phone conferencing, email exchanging, and after-worship discussing -- so similar to the office work, but only a bit more complicated and less structured. I'm encouraged by the dedication apparent in the other members of the team, and am inspired by them to continue working on these monumental tasks, even if at times it feels so overwhelming. Over the summer, we picked up momentum and are steadily gaining speed as we continue through Ordinary Time.
5) Fertile Grounds Writers Group
I call it a group, but it really only includes three. We meet every Monday at the designated time in our favorite cafe and talk about writing. We alternate turns submitting work for critique and we cycle through all the genres, depending on what we are working with currently. I appreciate this group b/c we are all writers of one kind or another, and we really get into the meat and potatoes. Last week, we talked about redemptive figures and hero myths in a children's story that one person is writing. This Monday, we talk about identity issues and naming. Next week, we'll probably have a piece dealing with theology and missiology. I'm practically drooling as I think about the tough work we have ahead. I'm so excited that we actually do this!!!
6) Renga Writing Group
As some of you know, I am a member of the renga writing group. We've been slowly but steadily compiling our rengas about a variety of topics. The seed for this group was sown years ago in a graduate writing workshop, and after months of collaborative writing, and through hundreds of books that we've read, we've now reached the penultimate verse of our most recent renga (more accurately called a kasen) about Idolatrous Art. Just last week, we've gained another member to the group, and we are busily thinking about possible topics for the new kasen. Stay posted and you'll soon see the new kasen unfold on our blog.
All these projects, in addition to work, have kept me busy, so even though I am complaining on the side, it's only by habit. I am grateful for the chance to do all these things. For the ability to bring together my writing, my faith, and my administrative skills in productive and meaningful ways, I give thanks to God, our Creator, Inspiration, and Teacher.
August 9, 2008
HAT's back on the rack
Hi there. HAT's been off the rack for a while, mostly just idling away, rotting a little bit, getting slightly moth-eaten, and definitely getting rusty in terms of blogging. But, we are back on track. As of midnight on Friday, I was able to log onto the world wide web w/o any complications. Am happy to report that I can access email, blogs, news, movies, what have you, at all hours of the day.
Let me tell you, this past month or more has taught me that I have been utterly spoiled with internet access. It was frustrating to not have personal internet. Yes, I was connected at work, but the office has been extremely busy, so there was a lot of guilt associated with the distinctions that need to be made between personal stuff and work stuff.
Now, now, though, I am free to do what I want, anytime I want. We are back online and we are happy.
Let me tell you, this past month or more has taught me that I have been utterly spoiled with internet access. It was frustrating to not have personal internet. Yes, I was connected at work, but the office has been extremely busy, so there was a lot of guilt associated with the distinctions that need to be made between personal stuff and work stuff.
Now, now, though, I am free to do what I want, anytime I want. We are back online and we are happy.
August 1, 2008
10 to 1 this is not John L Smith
Yesterday, I stopped to get gas after taking "Brad" to the airport. I pulled into the station on MLK, Jr. and met a man who introduced himself as John L. Smith. Here was this black man dressed in crumpled clothes and a baseball cap. He had long gray hair and the most beautiful smile I had seen in a long time. It was unreserved and filled with joy. John asked if he could clean my windshield and pump my gas for a couple of dollars. I agreed, and we fell into an easy conversation, him wiping down the window windshields, me paying for gas, all the while suspecting that neither party was fully honest as we wish we could be in all our human interactions. Concentrating on the windows, his eyes averted, John casually told me his brother older brother died several months ago*, that his sister just retired as vice principal of Skyline High in Oakland, and that he used to grow up in the Baptist Church but has long since become disenchanted with the philandering Deacons who preached hypocritical sermons.
(* Strangely enough, I asked about their age difference instead of asking how his brother died. Perhaps it was because I didn't want him to present for me such an elaborate tragedy. It felt easier to ask about the relationship that was instead of one that could have been.)
Why, I asked myself, did I even bother pretending to believe in this story? Perhaps I hoped that it was real, that he was indeed wrought with pain and sadness at the death of his sibling, which plummeted to deep depression, causing him to lose his job and home and thus forcing him to live on the streets. Throughout our conversation, knowing that he was feeding me these stories just to get some money, I didn't feel threatened or nervous. In fact, I felt comfortable, at ease, and incredibly light. After it was done, we shook hands in a firm grip, making eye contact and nodding to the fact that we were in collusion together. This, we performed splendidly. Before leaving, I pulled out a few bills from my wallet and handed them to him, thinking it was a couple of dollars. As he took the money, I realized I was handing him a $10 bill and several ones.
Before I drove off, he asked me what church I go to, and I told him, giving him the address to Chinatown. I invited him to visit the church, and while some people might say that I was foolish to give him that information, I hope that somehow, one day, something or someone else will remind him that he met with someone from that kind of community. I'm not naive enough to think I've changed his life. He's $15 richer, and I'm left with two credit cards, $3 in cash, and a handful of receipts. But, I'm certain we left that parking lot feeling buoyed by a lot more than just the money changing hands.
Maybe he was craving some conversation. Maybe I needed a reminder to be kind. Maybe both he and I benefited from that slight human contact, from that little exchange between one closed spirit and another.
(* Strangely enough, I asked about their age difference instead of asking how his brother died. Perhaps it was because I didn't want him to present for me such an elaborate tragedy. It felt easier to ask about the relationship that was instead of one that could have been.)
Why, I asked myself, did I even bother pretending to believe in this story? Perhaps I hoped that it was real, that he was indeed wrought with pain and sadness at the death of his sibling, which plummeted to deep depression, causing him to lose his job and home and thus forcing him to live on the streets. Throughout our conversation, knowing that he was feeding me these stories just to get some money, I didn't feel threatened or nervous. In fact, I felt comfortable, at ease, and incredibly light. After it was done, we shook hands in a firm grip, making eye contact and nodding to the fact that we were in collusion together. This, we performed splendidly. Before leaving, I pulled out a few bills from my wallet and handed them to him, thinking it was a couple of dollars. As he took the money, I realized I was handing him a $10 bill and several ones.
Before I drove off, he asked me what church I go to, and I told him, giving him the address to Chinatown. I invited him to visit the church, and while some people might say that I was foolish to give him that information, I hope that somehow, one day, something or someone else will remind him that he met with someone from that kind of community. I'm not naive enough to think I've changed his life. He's $15 richer, and I'm left with two credit cards, $3 in cash, and a handful of receipts. But, I'm certain we left that parking lot feeling buoyed by a lot more than just the money changing hands.
Maybe he was craving some conversation. Maybe I needed a reminder to be kind. Maybe both he and I benefited from that slight human contact, from that little exchange between one closed spirit and another.
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