A DEMOCRATIC LEADER

We have had a request for a little history review during this week of the Democratic National Convention. Most of us know the big names like Kennedy, Johnson, Truman, McGovern and others. But let's see if you recall this pioneer in Democratic politics.

Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress, was a passionate and effective advocate for the needs of minorities, women and children and has changed the nation's perception about the capabilities of women and African-Americans.

A New York City educator and child care manager, Chisholm saw the problems of the poor every day, and in the 1950s this led her to run for and win a seat in the New York State Legislature. In 1968 she was elected to Congress from the new 12th District. There she supported improved employment and education programs, expansion of day care, income support and other programs to improve inner city life and opportunity. She advocated for the end of the military draft and reduced defense spending. In 1970 she published her first book, Unbossed and Unbought. She served in Congress until 1982 and in 1972 entered several Democratic presidential primaries, receiving 151 delegate votes for the presidential nomination. Her second book, The Good Fight, was published in 1973.

Thanks to the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Here is an exerpt from here book:

In the 91st Congress, I am a sponsor of the perennial Equal Rights Amendment, which has been before every Congress for the last forty years but has never passed the House. It would outlaw any discrimination on the basis of sex. Men and women would be completely equal before the law. But laws will not solve deep-seated problems overnight. Their use is to provide shelter for those who are most abused, and to begin an evolutionary process by compelling the insensitive majority to reexamine its unconscious attitudes.

The law cannot do the major part of the job of winning equality for women. Women must do it themselves. They must become revolutionaries. Against them is arrayed the weight of centuries of tradition, from St. Paul's "Let women learn in silence" to the American adage, "A woman's place is in the home." Women have been persuaded of their own inferiority; too many of them believe the male fiction that they are emotional, illogical, unstable, inept with mechanical things, and lack leadership ability.

A couple of quotes from Ms. Chisolm:

The United States was said not to be ready to elect a Catholic to the Presidency when Al Smith ran in the 1920's. But Smith's nomination may have helped pave the way for the successful campaign John F. Kennedy waged in 1960. Who can tell? What I hope most is that now there will be others who will feel themselves as capable of running for high political office as any wealthy, good-looking white male.

• At present, our country needs women's idealism and determination, perhaps more in politics than anywhere else.


• One distressing thing is the way men react to women who assert their equality: their ultimate weapon is to call them unfeminine. They think she is anti-male; they even whisper that she's probably a lesbian.

Apparently some 36 years later we are still struggling with this concept. By the by, she was intrumental in the ERA (not earned run average) Equal Rights Amendment.

God's trying to tell you something -

It's gospel choir Sunday with the movie cast of The Color Purple. Love and reconciliation is the theme; it has a good beat, and you can dance to it.

On my special prayer list today: all in the path of Hurricane Gustav, including Grandmere Mimi; Tim and Fran, Mary M's family, and Ed and Nessie. Please add to the list in a post if you wish - and let's storm the storms with our prayers.

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN

Do you remember Representative Barbara Jordan? Here is her Keynote address from the 1976 Democratic National Convention. Read it through and see if you do not find yourself shaking your head up and down. I remember when she delivered this speech. She was one of the great one's that got away. I know this is long but there is a special gift if you get to the end.

Sometimes I think about what could have been --- but then I realize the story is not over yet.



Thank you ladies and gentlemen for a very warm reception.

It was one hundred and forty-four years ago that members of the Democratic Party first met in convention to select a Presidential candidate. Since that time, Democrats have continued to convene once every four years and draft a party platform and nominate a Presidential candidate. And our meeting this week is a continuation of that tradition. But there is something different about tonight. There is something special about tonight. What is different? What is special?

I, Barbara Jordan, am a keynote speaker.

When -- A lot of years passed since 1832, and during that time it would have been most unusual for any national political party to ask a Barbara Jordan to deliver a keynote address. But tonight, here I am. And I feel -- I feel that notwithstanding the past that my presence here is one additional bit of evidence that the American Dream need not forever be deferred.

Now -- Now that I have this grand distinction, what in the world am I supposed to say? I could easily spend this time praising the accomplishments of this party and attacking the Republicans -- but I don't choose to do that. I could list the many problems which Americans have. I could list the problems which cause people to feel cynical, angry, frustrated: problems which include lack of integrity in government; the feeling that the individual no longer counts; the reality of material and spiritual poverty; the feeling that the grand American experiment is failing or has failed. I could recite these problems, and then I could sit down and offer no solutions. But I don't choose to do that either. The citizens of America expect more. They deserve and they want more than a recital of problems.

We are a people in a quandary about the present. We are a people in search of our future. We are a people in search of a national community. We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present, unemployment, inflation, but we are attempting on a larger scale to fulfill the promise of America. We are attempting to fulfill our national purpose, to create and sustain a society in which all of us are equal.

Throughout -- Throughout our history, when people have looked for new ways to solve their problems and to uphold the principles of this nation, many times they have turned to political parties. They have often turned to the Democratic Party. What is it? What is it about the Democratic Party that makes it the instrument the people use when they search for ways to shape their future? Well I believe the answer to that question lies in our concept of governing. Our concept of governing is derived from our view of people. It is a concept deeply rooted in a set of beliefs firmly etched in the national conscience of all of us.

Now what are these beliefs? First, we believe in equality for all and privileges for none. This is a belief -- This is a belief that each American, regardless of background, has equal standing in the public forum -- all of us. Because -- Because we believe this idea so firmly, we are an inclusive rather than an exclusive party. Let everybody come.

I think it no accident that most of those immigrating to America in the 19th century identified with the Democratic Party. We are a heterogeneous party made up of Americans of diverse backgrounds. We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted.

This -- This can be accomplished only by providing each citizen with every opportunity to participate in the management of the government. They must have that, we believe. We believe that the government which represents the authority of all the people, not just one interest group, but all the people, has an obligation to actively -- underscore actively -- seek to remove those obstacles which would block individual achievement -- obstacles emanating from race, sex, economic condition. The government must remove them, seek to remove them. We.

We are a party -- We are a party of innovation. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances, when change we must. We are willing to suffer the discomfort of change in order to achieve a better future. We have a positive vision of the future founded on the belief that the gap between the promise and reality of America can one day be finally closed. We believe that.

This, my friends is the bedrock of our concept of governing. This is a part of the reason why Americans have turned to the Democratic Party. These are the foundations upon which a national community can be built. Let all understand that these guiding principles cannot be discarded for short-term political gains. They represent what this country is all about. They are indigenous to the American idea. And these are principles which are not negotiable.

In other times -- In other times, I could stand here and give this kind of exposition on the beliefs of the Democratic Party and that would be enough. But today that is not enough. People want more. That is not sufficient reason for the majority of the people of this country to decide to vote Democratic. We have made mistakes. We realize that. We admit our mistakes. In our haste to do all things for all people, we did not foresee the full consequences of our actions. And when the people raised their voices, we didn't hear. But our deafness was only a temporary condition, and not an irreversible condition.

Even as I stand here and admit that we have made mistakes, I still believe that as the people of America sit in judgment on each party, they will recognize that our mistakes were mistakes of the heart. They'll recognize that.

And now -- now we must look to the future. Let us heed the voice of the people and recognize their common sense. If we do not, we not only blaspheme our political heritage, we ignore the common ties that bind all Americans. Many fear the future. Many are distrustful of their leaders, and believe that their voices are never heard. Many seek only to satisfy their private work -- wants; to satisfy their private interests. But this is the great danger America faces -- that we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual; each seeking to satisfy private wants. If that happens, who then will speak for America? Who then will speak for the common good?

This is the question which must be answered in 1976: Are we to be one people bound together by common spirit, sharing in a common endeavor; or will we become a divided nation? For all of its uncertainty, we cannot flee the future. We must not become the "New Puritans" and reject our society. We must address and master the future together. It can be done if we restore the belief that we share a sense of national community, that we share a common national endeavor. It can be done.

There is no executive order; there is no law that can require the American people to form a national community. This we must do as individuals, and if we do it as individuals, there is no President of the United States who can veto that decision.

As a first step -- As a first step, we must restore our belief in ourselves. We are a generous people, so why can't we be generous with each other? We need to take to heart the words spoken by Thomas Jefferson:

Let us restore the social intercourse -- "Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and that affection without which liberty and even life are but dreary things."

A nation is formed by the willingness of each of us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good. A government is invigorated when each one of us is willing to participate in shaping the future of this nation. In this election year, we must define the "common good" and begin again to shape a common future. Let each person do his or her part. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer. For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us.

And now, what are those of us who are elected public officials supposed to do? We call ourselves "public servants" but I'll tell you this: We as public servants must set an example for the rest of the nation. It is hypocritical for the public official to admonish and exhort the people to uphold the common good if we are derelict in upholding the common good. More is required -- More is required of public officials than slogans and handshakes and press releases. More is required. We must hold ourselves strictly accountable. We must provide the people with a vision of the future.

If we promise as public officials, we must deliver. If -- If we as public officials propose, we must produce. If we say to the American people, "It is time for you to be sacrificial" -- sacrifice. If the public official says that, we [public officials] must be the first to give. We must be. And again, if we make mistakes, we must be willing to admit them. We have to do that. What we have to do is strike a balance between the idea that government should do everything and the idea, the belief, that government ought to do nothing. Strike a balance.

Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of a national community. It's tough, difficult, not easy. But a spirit of harmony will survive in America only if each of us remembers that we share a common destiny; if each of us remembers, when self-interest and bitterness seem to prevail, that we share a common destiny.

I have confidence that we can form this kind of national community.

I have confidence that the Democratic Party can lead the way.

I have that confidence.

We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. There is no way to improve upon that. But what we can do is to find new ways to implement that system and realize our destiny.

Now I began this speech by commenting to you on the uniqueness of a Barbara Jordan making a keynote address. Well I am going to close my speech by quoting a Republican President and I ask you that as you listen to these words of Abraham Lincoln, relate them to the concept of a national community in which every last one of us participates:

"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master." This -- This -- "This expresses my idea of Democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no Democracy."

Thank you.

The Lambeth Shortfall

I think I have stumbled onto the perfect solution to the 2008 Lambeth Conference financial woes. This gem is the gift that keeps on giving! The $1,000,000 bill can go directly into the bank (or, the john) - and then the ABC can sell the replica chocolate bars as a fundraiser here in the U.S. Of course, he'll have to sell a lot of candy; but if he moves fast, he can get some quick cash at the shopping malls before See's sets up their Christmas kiosks.

If anyone has seen an accounting of the finances, please send me a link. If the wealthier churches in the Communion are being asked to contribute additional money, it's reasonable to find out what went wrong so it won't happen again.

Happy 38th Anniversary to...

...Fred and his wife. Since Fred is a gentleman - and leaves his wife's actual name out of his postings - let's call her Wilma. Though it's been many a year since I've seen an episode of The Flintstones, I recall Wilma was beautiful, smart and loved her Fred; so the name fits if she doesn't mind :-)

A celebration calls for a cake, of course. I think something sweet, spicy and a tiny bit old-fashioned is in order. So Fred, and your lady love and wife: happy anniversary, and the cake has no calories unless you eat it!

My Favorite Spice Cake

3/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature (not melted)
1-1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
3 large eggs
3 cups sifted cake flour (sift, then measure)
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1-1/2 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. (adjust racks so top of cake pans are in the middle of the oven). Prepare two 9" round cake pans for baking: lightly grease and flour, then line bottoms with wax or parchment paper. Set aside.

Sift together the pre-sifted flour, baking soda and spices (use a fine sieve if you don't have a sifter). Set aside.

On medium speed of mixer, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs. Using a rubber spatula, or the very lowest speed of the mixer, alternately mix in small batches of the flour mixture and buttermilk. Divide batter evenly between the two pans.

Bake 35-40 minutes in pre-heated oven. Note: be sure to stagger pans in opposite corners, away from oven walls, and slightly apart. When 35 minutes have elapsed, test cake by lightly touching the middle of one layer. As soon as no imprint remains, cake is done. Cool layers 10 minutes in the pans, then on baking racks (remove paper liners before racking). When cakes are completely cooled, brush off excess crumbs and frost with caramel or buttercream frosting.

Caramel Icing

1/3 cup heavy cream
6 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons white sugar
3 cups confectioner's sugar (measure, then sift)

Heat together the cream and butter, set aside. Caramelize the sugar to a medium brown color; add scalded cream mixture and whisk to dissolve all the sugar. Pour mixture into a bowl, and gradually beat in the sifted confectioner's sugar until fluffy. Add a little extra cream or milk if the frosting is to stiff to spread easily on the cake layers. Fill the two layers then frost top and sides. Add candles if appropriate.

(Leonardo, your chocolate cake is next).

Brownies for Father Scott

I have it on good authority that our friend Fr. Scott had a difficult day. And that he likes brownies. These are what I call the "real thing" - not cakey, not an imitation of fudge - just right. I believe the original source was the back of a Bakers unsweetened chocolate box, but now it's just the family recipe.

Old-Fashioned Fudge Brownies

4 squares Baker's unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter
4 large eggs
2 cups granulated white sugar
1 cup sifted flour (you can just shake it through a fine sieve)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x9" square metal baking pan.

Melt butter with the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave; cool slightly. Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl until foamy. Gradually add the sugar, beating well after each addition. Blend in the chocolate mixture. Stir in the flour (or mix on lowest speed), making sure it is completely incorporated into the batter. Stir in vanilla and nuts. Bake 40 minutes in preheated 350 degree oven. There is no real test for "done"-ness, but brownies will be slightly separated from the sides of the pan and a slightly shiny, thin crust will form on the top. Be sure to cool brownies completely before cutting - or be prepared for a mess.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Here is a portion of the latest happenings in Fort Wrath, Texas.

Should you consent, we gladly offer ourselves for this important work and stand ready to work with those you might designate.

And here are the "we":

Katie Sherrod of the Diocese of Fort Worth reveals an attempt by several clergy, with the apparent support of their bishop, to take the Diocese to the Roman Catholic Church. According to the document William A. Carey, Charles A. Hough, Louis L. Tobola, and Christopher Stainbrook - leaders in the Diocese of Fort Worth claiming the "unequivocal support" of Bishop Iker - proposed to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Fort Worth that the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth become a Roman Catholic Diocese.

Now, I have posed this question before, but, will the real servant-leaders please stand up?

Apparently, a growing number of clergy want to be the greatest among us. And of course scriptural lessons are conveniently forgotten. Lessons like "the first shall be last and the last shall be first," and "if any man wants to follow me let him give up all he owns and take up the cross," and "feed my sheep". Wow, we have an the most incredible group of self-centered, self-appointed, "look at me I can be on the Primates Council" group of clergy I have seen in a very long time. Everyone wants a piece of the action. Power corrupts absolutely, and absolute power power corrupts absolutely. (I read that somewhere). So we have bishops like deposed John David Mercer Schofield, Iker, Howe and Duncan that do all sorts of conniving and contriving deceptions to get their share of that power. And we have those like Akinola, Orombi, Venables and Jensen that believe that they are the way, the truth and the light! And then we have people like Minns and Guernsey that couldn't get a consecration in the United States, so they went to foreign lands to get what they have sought, without regard to how this affects the everyday people in the pews of the Episcopal Church.

Permit me to show at least what one other person thinks clergy should be:

“You are the salt of the earth.” The flavor you bring to priestly ministry is your personal zeal and the motivation to serve God with a generous heart. Your hands will be anointed by the Holy Spirit to offer to God the sacred mysteries of our faith and to bless those whom you serve. You are not anointed to be some kind of ecclesiastical functionary but rather one who is sent to awaken faith in Christ among those who have grown drowsy and to strengthen in conviction those who believe.
There are some in the Church today who do not look forward in hope with the eyes of faith but tend to be preoccupied with looking back in some kind of nostalgia for a Church they never experienced . . . I encourage you to study the history of the Church as a living and developing tradition and not to look back as Lot’s wife did or you might end up being a pillar of salt rather then the “salt of the earth.”
Those looking back want to give to the Church new forms of triumphalism, juridicism, and clericalism. The triumphalist wants to exercise authority through aggressive condemnation and excommunication and believes that the Church not only has the truth but also all the answers to every modern dilemma. Christ is indeed the Truth but we must seek out with humility and in light of the Gospel how to respond to the many and varied demands of living in today’s world. We are a servant Church which proclaims the truth in love. We do not impose the gospel on the world. We seek to persuade by grace.
The juridicist searches out laws new or old to justify personal positions or ideologies in the Church. Especially they like to focus on liturgical practices. They incline to creating unnecessary hoops for people to jump through. The Church, of course, needs law to insure good order. But the purpose of all laws in the Church is the same as for all the works of the Church: “propter homines and propter nostram salutem” - for us, for our good and for our salvation.
The clericalist exaggerates the authority of the priest creating a new authoritarianism. The clericalist operates as if the priest is entitled to special status and privilege in the Church and in society. He gives little merit to collaboration with the laity. The ordained priest, however, represents Christ the Head and Good Shepherd of the Church. As Head of the Church Jesus came not to be served but to serve. As Good Shepherd he gave His life for the flock. The good priest patterns his life on Jesus the servant of God and remembers that the whole Church (Head and members) is the Body of Christ.
I have always treasured the words of my first pastor when I was newly ordained: We are here to serve the people and to do it with a touch of class.
“You are the light of the world.” Light first of all gives off warmth. As the sacramental presence of Christ the Eternal High Priest you bring a caring and warmth by your presence. The presence of the priest in celebrating the liturgies of the Church is one of faith and not just of style. Like Christ in the Eucharist you need to be a real presence among the people. This does not mean that you need to be at every event but it does mean that you need to be with the people outside of church on Sunday, with families when they are hurting, with the sick and dying - to anoint them and to bring some words of comfort and to give some of your time, to be there when they need the healing and comfort of the Lord Jesus and his friendship. The shepherd stays with the sheep. The priest who rarely leaves his room puts his light under a bushel basket and gives little light to the people of God.
Your light will burn brightly if you are men of prayer. I am not talking at this point about saying prayers or presiding over the liturgy. Neither am I talking about spiritual exercises as such. I am talking about hearing the word of God, the prayer of receiving the word of God deeply in your minds and hearts. Jesus said: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” The First Letter of John reinforces this teaching of Jesus: “Whoever keeps His word, truly has the love of God been made perfect in him.” Only the priest who prays is spiritually alive.
After being a priest for forty years I realize each day how terribly weak and inadequate I am. God has anointed us as priests to represent Christ and to serve in His name. So often we blur this image, but in a marvelous and mysterious manner God accomplishes His will though our ministry. “Do you love me?” the risen Jesus asks us as He did Peter. Like Peter we respond: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Then Jesus says to us, in spite of all our denials, in spite of all our limitations, “Feed my lambs…tend my sheep…feed my sheep.”

I am but one person in the pews. I am not sure what I want in clergy, but I know this much: Do you love me?” the risen Jesus asks us as He did Peter. Like Peter we respond: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Then Jesus says to us, in spite of all our denials, in spite of all our limitations, “Feed my lambs…tend my sheep…feed my sheep.”