RantWoman needs to promote another increment of conversation. One Friend says "I would like to know more about the experience of abuse survivors. Maybe.... would help." This Friend is not the only voice suggesting the second part of this comment, but one thing at a time.
The point is, it's been quite awhile since RantWoman's Meeting talked in an organized way about many topics that got spoken of when the Safest Sex Offender on the Planet first came to us. Many newcomers were not around for these conversations. Many things have evolved in our national and interpersonal culture. RantWoman has detected signs that others around her besides the Friend who asked...are also fuzzy in awareness. Plus this is the sort of information RantWoman might think to dump into a paper or online informational notebook to support topical ministries. So....
RantWoman is posting this item just to remind herself of some terms connected with PTSD to dump into a search engine for better materials. RantWoman also hopes to seed conversations and recruit some eyes to screen material.
http://paper.li/myptsd1/1300270754
RantWoman notes the nexus of returning war veterans, PTSD, and the experiences of others who have suffered different kinds of traumas.
RantWoman also includes this interesting item about sleep and trauma recovery.
http://paper.li/myptsd1/1300270754
RantWoman is not used to articles which scream like AM radio when the topic is results of scientific study. However, RantWoman stumbled across this one by messing around in the bad visual design eccentric disaster preparedness Twitter feed on her other blog, RantWoman is for now just going to start with what she has.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
It's not all burning bushes?
Ashley W, from the blogroll
http://questforadequacy.blogspot.com/2011/11/forgotten-story.html
At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.) Exodus 4:24-26.
I don't have a nice little homily about this story. We didn't learn it in Sunday school. I don't remember ever hearing a sermon about it (and I have heard a lot of sermons).
I really only have two things to say about it:
1. It's not all burning bushes and parting seas.
2. The Bible has a lot of stories about people interacting with God and some of them are just plain weird.
Oh Dear.
God quite frequently delivers messages to RantWoman in some other idiom besides nice Quakerese. RantWoman's life is particularly rich in thoughts that take form in either the Feminazi Bitch or just the Excessively Plain English subdialects. When RantWoman is being a GOOD Quaker she seasons these messages, occasionally for years, until God delivers Quakerese. RantWoman is not waiting around for Quakerese here.
RantWoman laughed for 10 minutes about item 2.
RantWoman, though, has some suggestions:
--RantWoman herself is not a particularly perspicacious student of Jung, archetypes, psychoanalytic theory, semiotics, or some associated schools of literary criticism. If RantWoman were even a slightly better student of some of these theories, RantWoman would definitely bang away at the symbolism and cultural history of both the passage and Friend Ashley's comments some more and see where the "weird" leads.
--As far as never hearing a sermon about this exact passage, RantWoman notes that lots and lots of pastors are male. RantWoman knows LOTS of men who wince when talking about neutering their pets. Even among people who believe passionately in everything associated with circumcision, it also has a gigantic wince factor. So RantWoman is unsurprised that this passage has not yet leapt to the fore as the basis for a sermon. But is Friend Ashley perhaps called to be the first to deliver such a sermon?
http://questforadequacy.blogspot.com/2011/11/forgotten-story.html
At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.) Exodus 4:24-26.
I don't have a nice little homily about this story. We didn't learn it in Sunday school. I don't remember ever hearing a sermon about it (and I have heard a lot of sermons).
I really only have two things to say about it:
1. It's not all burning bushes and parting seas.
2. The Bible has a lot of stories about people interacting with God and some of them are just plain weird.
Oh Dear.
God quite frequently delivers messages to RantWoman in some other idiom besides nice Quakerese. RantWoman's life is particularly rich in thoughts that take form in either the Feminazi Bitch or just the Excessively Plain English subdialects. When RantWoman is being a GOOD Quaker she seasons these messages, occasionally for years, until God delivers Quakerese. RantWoman is not waiting around for Quakerese here.
RantWoman laughed for 10 minutes about item 2.
RantWoman, though, has some suggestions:
--RantWoman herself is not a particularly perspicacious student of Jung, archetypes, psychoanalytic theory, semiotics, or some associated schools of literary criticism. If RantWoman were even a slightly better student of some of these theories, RantWoman would definitely bang away at the symbolism and cultural history of both the passage and Friend Ashley's comments some more and see where the "weird" leads.
--As far as never hearing a sermon about this exact passage, RantWoman notes that lots and lots of pastors are male. RantWoman knows LOTS of men who wince when talking about neutering their pets. Even among people who believe passionately in everything associated with circumcision, it also has a gigantic wince factor. So RantWoman is unsurprised that this passage has not yet leapt to the fore as the basis for a sermon. But is Friend Ashley perhaps called to be the first to deliver such a sermon?
Monday, November 28, 2011
Salt, Light, Blindness
Tonight RantWoman is called to reflect on two pieces from the study guide for the World Gathering of Friends that speak about blindness. Please bear with God and the RantWoman metaphor manglement service:
http://www.saltandlight2012.org/bales.html
RantWoman has briefly been seasoning a leading to go all literalist about the Biblical linking of darkness with blindness. Doesn't GOD know that what adds up to non-seeing is only in rare cases total blackness. RantWoman has written in extravagant detail elsewhere of her own peculiar experiences in matters of seeing. She would not in the least mind if SOMEWHERE in the Bible there were references to blurred vision, double vision, fog stabbed by bright flashes, and numerous other distortions in what one sees.
If Christ is going to be removing spiritual blindness, RantWoman thinks it reasonable that he remove or ameliorate the right things. Of course the fact that RantWoman cannot see but things happen might be part of the point, but RantWoman may have to cavil and quibble and complain about it awhile longer before she sees.
http://www.saltandlight2012.org/ayala.html
RantWoman is really touched by the man carrying a light he himself cannot see. RantWoman has had that experience a time or two.
RantWoman is also amused by the compunding of a flammable gas, sodium, with chlorine, which in pure form would be lethal to make salt which when dissolved in our bodies has the power to carry messages throughout the body.
RantWoman still seems to be discerning what kind of lampstand can hold up to her Inner Blowtorch.
Próximamente en español, posiblemente.
RantWoman probably is NOT going to offer translations of her own posts into Spanish even though in terms of equal participation and all voices being linguistically present in the conversation, RantWoman wishes that the English and the translations were all available at the same time. RantWoman wishes this regardless of a number of practicalities including the work of translation AND the question of who has access online or in print n the first place.
RantWoman most assuredly feels called to uphold the work of translators and interpreters for the World Gathering. RantWoman also actually expressed willingness in some contexts...if way were to open for one of the open spaces. RantWoman would probably prefer that way open to make sure as many Friends from the global south as possible can attend. RantWoman feels plenty to do in her home community. And RantWoman still would not object if way were to open.
http://www.saltandlight2012.org/bales.html
RantWoman has briefly been seasoning a leading to go all literalist about the Biblical linking of darkness with blindness. Doesn't GOD know that what adds up to non-seeing is only in rare cases total blackness. RantWoman has written in extravagant detail elsewhere of her own peculiar experiences in matters of seeing. She would not in the least mind if SOMEWHERE in the Bible there were references to blurred vision, double vision, fog stabbed by bright flashes, and numerous other distortions in what one sees.
If Christ is going to be removing spiritual blindness, RantWoman thinks it reasonable that he remove or ameliorate the right things. Of course the fact that RantWoman cannot see but things happen might be part of the point, but RantWoman may have to cavil and quibble and complain about it awhile longer before she sees.
http://www.saltandlight2012.org/ayala.html
RantWoman is really touched by the man carrying a light he himself cannot see. RantWoman has had that experience a time or two.
RantWoman is also amused by the compunding of a flammable gas, sodium, with chlorine, which in pure form would be lethal to make salt which when dissolved in our bodies has the power to carry messages throughout the body.
RantWoman still seems to be discerning what kind of lampstand can hold up to her Inner Blowtorch.
Próximamente en español, posiblemente.
RantWoman probably is NOT going to offer translations of her own posts into Spanish even though in terms of equal participation and all voices being linguistically present in the conversation, RantWoman wishes that the English and the translations were all available at the same time. RantWoman wishes this regardless of a number of practicalities including the work of translation AND the question of who has access online or in print n the first place.
RantWoman most assuredly feels called to uphold the work of translators and interpreters for the World Gathering. RantWoman also actually expressed willingness in some contexts...if way were to open for one of the open spaces. RantWoman would probably prefer that way open to make sure as many Friends from the global south as possible can attend. RantWoman feels plenty to do in her home community. And RantWoman still would not object if way were to open.
An Apology for True RantWoman Blog Tagging and Vocabulary
RantWoman supposes it might sound tighter and more literary if God delivered from her keyboard tidier parables, but RantWoman is a Friend in progress.
RantWoman is not in a position to comment about whether her readers care about the logic of some of RantWoman's more obscure blog tags. In case anyone besides RantWoman does,
Salt and Light Machine: the most recent addition. RantWoman's tag for refletions specifically related to the upcoming World Gathering of Friends.
en español
en español
Compost: RantWoman's processing of a number of matters involving God, mentors, and occasionally actual compost. RantWoman apologizes but she still has not gotten around to the Composting Quakerism podcast.
Charm School: RantWoman branches out from reflections on one Friend to utter Charm, eloquence, and possibly telling too much of the Truth about workings of God, numbers of Friends and a specific prottracted conflict exercise.
Fufferings: RantWoman knows that the term originally is a typography presentation of the word Sufferings, usually in reference to early Friends sufferings for Truth. For RantWoman, Fufferings tends to refer to some kind of ailment or other difficulty of the corporeal sort.
Safest: RantWoman's commentary about her Meeting's walk with a low-level sex offender who has worshipped among us for a number of years. As of this writing, the tag includes items related specifically to this individual, survivor stories of various sorts, informational items about experience in other Friends Meetings and lately a few links about what other denominations' websites say about the topic. RantWoman probably should make this tag into some distinct categories but RantWoman does not promise to do so.
Remarkable: Items related to another member of RantWoman's community.
There are a number of other tags which probably need commentary. RantWoman invites her readers to ask.
RantWoman is not in a position to comment about whether her readers care about the logic of some of RantWoman's more obscure blog tags. In case anyone besides RantWoman does,
Salt and Light Machine: the most recent addition. RantWoman's tag for refletions specifically related to the upcoming World Gathering of Friends.
en español
en español
Compost: RantWoman's processing of a number of matters involving God, mentors, and occasionally actual compost. RantWoman apologizes but she still has not gotten around to the Composting Quakerism podcast.
Charm School: RantWoman branches out from reflections on one Friend to utter Charm, eloquence, and possibly telling too much of the Truth about workings of God, numbers of Friends and a specific prottracted conflict exercise.
Fufferings: RantWoman knows that the term originally is a typography presentation of the word Sufferings, usually in reference to early Friends sufferings for Truth. For RantWoman, Fufferings tends to refer to some kind of ailment or other difficulty of the corporeal sort.
Safest: RantWoman's commentary about her Meeting's walk with a low-level sex offender who has worshipped among us for a number of years. As of this writing, the tag includes items related specifically to this individual, survivor stories of various sorts, informational items about experience in other Friends Meetings and lately a few links about what other denominations' websites say about the topic. RantWoman probably should make this tag into some distinct categories but RantWoman does not promise to do so.
Remarkable: Items related to another member of RantWoman's community.
There are a number of other tags which probably need commentary. RantWoman invites her readers to ask.
Somatics Trauma, and Social Justic Intensive: APPLY NOW
Somatics, Trauma, and Social Justice Intensive in Seattle!
*Applications due Dec. 11th*
The Capacity Project and Generative Somatics areexcited to announce the upcoming Somatics, Trauma, and Social JusticeIntensive
Jan. 20, 21, 22,9am-5pm,
Central District/Seattle,
*application required*
This course will introduce somatics as astrategy for addressing the impacts of individual and collective trauma, whileorganizing for sustainable social change. This body of work was developed byStaci Haines, author of The Survivor’s Guide to Sex and co-founder ofGeneration Five, an organization committed to ending the sexual abuse ofchildren within five generations.
Members of the Generative Somatics teaching team will be facilitating this training as a part of the ongoing somatics and social justice work that The Capacity Project is building in this area. This is a unique opportunity to engage with this work in Seattle, and we hope that you will consider joining us!
This intensive will introduce you to:- a somatic understanding of how trauma andoppression impact individuals and communities- body-centered practices for accessing resilience, experiencing mutual connection, boundary setting, centered accountability, and being present amidst deep emotion and transformation- processes for transforming trauma andoppression in individual and collective bodies through somatic awareness,skills-building and bodywork
More about somatics: From the Generative Somatics orientation, theaim of healing is to create more choice, more well-being and the ability to take more powerful and effective action in our lives and in the world. We don’t see healing as separate from our participation in our communities, the world, and social change, but rather as an essential part of it.
While somatics as a discipline hashistorically been used as a vehicle to bring increasing resilience and capacity to the individual body - we believe that this framework can also be used inprinciple and in practice to inform a deeper understanding of systemic traumaand collective social change, and increase the holistic effectiveness of community organizing and movement building. We recognize that this framework is not only powerful for individuals and groups working on themselves, but has the potential to be a transformative framework for individuals and groups working to change relations of power in the world.
Logistics:This intensive will be held January 20th,21st, and 22nd from 9am-5pm in the Central Districtneighborhood of Seattle (exact location TBA).
Participants must attend allthree days.
Participation is limited and application is required. The fee for this training is on a slidingscale, from $150-450. We hold a strong commitment to making this training financially accessible, and we will not turn anyone away for inability to pay. Solidarity funds are available for up to the full cost, as needed. Low-income and workingclass folks are encouraged to apply. To apply, please email a request toseattlesomatics@gmail.com by Sunday, Dec. 11th. Please include your name in the subject line of your email and feel free to email with furtherquestions.
(RantWoman apologizes but she is unable just to attach the application she received.)
Facilitation:The lead trainers for this intensive will be Generative Somatics teaching team members, Vassilisa Johri, Elizabeth Ross, and Liu Hoi Man, with assistant trainers Briana Herman-Brand and Nathaniel Shara. This training is being organized by The Capacity Project, which worksat the intersection of personal and social transformation to build the capacityand sustainability of individuals, collectives, and organizations doing social movement work. We do this by offering individual and group-based politicized healing work, political education/consciousness raising workshops, and transformative justice education and organizing. For more information about The Capacity Project or to request a copy of the application form , email seattlesomatics@gmail.org.
*Applications due Dec. 11th*
The Capacity Project and Generative Somatics areexcited to announce the upcoming Somatics, Trauma, and Social JusticeIntensive
Jan. 20, 21, 22,9am-5pm,
Central District/Seattle,
*application required*
This course will introduce somatics as astrategy for addressing the impacts of individual and collective trauma, whileorganizing for sustainable social change. This body of work was developed byStaci Haines, author of The Survivor’s Guide to Sex and co-founder ofGeneration Five, an organization committed to ending the sexual abuse ofchildren within five generations.
Members of the Generative Somatics teaching team will be facilitating this training as a part of the ongoing somatics and social justice work that The Capacity Project is building in this area. This is a unique opportunity to engage with this work in Seattle, and we hope that you will consider joining us!
This intensive will introduce you to:- a somatic understanding of how trauma andoppression impact individuals and communities- body-centered practices for accessing resilience, experiencing mutual connection, boundary setting, centered accountability, and being present amidst deep emotion and transformation- processes for transforming trauma andoppression in individual and collective bodies through somatic awareness,skills-building and bodywork
More about somatics: From the Generative Somatics orientation, theaim of healing is to create more choice, more well-being and the ability to take more powerful and effective action in our lives and in the world. We don’t see healing as separate from our participation in our communities, the world, and social change, but rather as an essential part of it.
While somatics as a discipline hashistorically been used as a vehicle to bring increasing resilience and capacity to the individual body - we believe that this framework can also be used inprinciple and in practice to inform a deeper understanding of systemic traumaand collective social change, and increase the holistic effectiveness of community organizing and movement building. We recognize that this framework is not only powerful for individuals and groups working on themselves, but has the potential to be a transformative framework for individuals and groups working to change relations of power in the world.
Logistics:This intensive will be held January 20th,21st, and 22nd from 9am-5pm in the Central Districtneighborhood of Seattle (exact location TBA).
Participants must attend allthree days.
Participation is limited and application is required. The fee for this training is on a slidingscale, from $150-450. We hold a strong commitment to making this training financially accessible, and we will not turn anyone away for inability to pay. Solidarity funds are available for up to the full cost, as needed. Low-income and workingclass folks are encouraged to apply. To apply, please email a request toseattlesomatics@gmail.com by Sunday, Dec. 11th. Please include your name in the subject line of your email and feel free to email with furtherquestions.
(RantWoman apologizes but she is unable just to attach the application she received.)
Facilitation:The lead trainers for this intensive will be Generative Somatics teaching team members, Vassilisa Johri, Elizabeth Ross, and Liu Hoi Man, with assistant trainers Briana Herman-Brand and Nathaniel Shara. This training is being organized by The Capacity Project, which worksat the intersection of personal and social transformation to build the capacityand sustainability of individuals, collectives, and organizations doing social movement work. We do this by offering individual and group-based politicized healing work, political education/consciousness raising workshops, and transformative justice education and organizing. For more information about The Capacity Project or to request a copy of the application form , email seattlesomatics@gmail.org.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Disabilities Awareness Item du Jour
Here is a really fun radio broadcast from awhile ago and replayed today to help keep RantWoman out of trouble for Black Friday.
http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=18196
It's a great interview by Steve Scher of two relative newcomers to the Seattle Disabled community, Laura Obara Gramer and Peggy Martinez. Fun things to listen for:
Perspectives they assume many people share regardless of disability
What language the two guests favor for different issues: yes, for them it's fine to use the word disability. It's fine to use the word "see" around a blind person....
Lots of different stuff about weather.
Lots of different experiences dealing with "the built environment" and getting around the city.
Various comments about disabled communities working together even when there are different needs.
Comments about service dogs, bad assumptions, hidden disabilities
The daily diet of curiosity, lack of awareness, clueless insensitivity
RantWoman has cut back on her mass eldering campaign about disabilities awareness, but the blog as filing cabinet / apology for the true RantWoman reality / journal and travelogue through the RantWoman spiritual compost heap is stil definitely in force. RantWoman decided she had to give up on trying to listen to her screen reader and just, gosh dang it, try to do ONE THING AT A TIME.
Not quite just one: First RantWoman gathered up several months of empty prescription bottles to throw away. RantWoman DID find the new bottle of eyedrops which somehow had gotten into the empty bottle pile instead of into RanWoman's usual place for things she is using. RantWoman HAS to be grateful for the circumstances that ensure she has a comparatively easy path to steady supply of needed medications. RantWoman is also feeling nostalgic: the RantDad used to use a lot of old prescription bottles to store oboe and bassoon reeds. RantWoman would not mind knowing someone who might continue the tradition.
Then RantWoman did a healthy increment of banging around her kitchen. RantWoman also decided she could attempt the visual task of locating a specific page of notes written in her own handwriting and lying somewhere in the piles on her desk. RantWoman found LOTS of other things and evn threw some out but did not find the exact item she was looking for. Sigh.
http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=18196
It's a great interview by Steve Scher of two relative newcomers to the Seattle Disabled community, Laura Obara Gramer and Peggy Martinez. Fun things to listen for:
Perspectives they assume many people share regardless of disability
What language the two guests favor for different issues: yes, for them it's fine to use the word disability. It's fine to use the word "see" around a blind person....
Lots of different stuff about weather.
Lots of different experiences dealing with "the built environment" and getting around the city.
Various comments about disabled communities working together even when there are different needs.
Comments about service dogs, bad assumptions, hidden disabilities
The daily diet of curiosity, lack of awareness, clueless insensitivity
RantWoman has cut back on her mass eldering campaign about disabilities awareness, but the blog as filing cabinet / apology for the true RantWoman reality / journal and travelogue through the RantWoman spiritual compost heap is stil definitely in force. RantWoman decided she had to give up on trying to listen to her screen reader and just, gosh dang it, try to do ONE THING AT A TIME.
Not quite just one: First RantWoman gathered up several months of empty prescription bottles to throw away. RantWoman DID find the new bottle of eyedrops which somehow had gotten into the empty bottle pile instead of into RanWoman's usual place for things she is using. RantWoman HAS to be grateful for the circumstances that ensure she has a comparatively easy path to steady supply of needed medications. RantWoman is also feeling nostalgic: the RantDad used to use a lot of old prescription bottles to store oboe and bassoon reeds. RantWoman would not mind knowing someone who might continue the tradition.
Then RantWoman did a healthy increment of banging around her kitchen. RantWoman also decided she could attempt the visual task of locating a specific page of notes written in her own handwriting and lying somewhere in the piles on her desk. RantWoman found LOTS of other things and evn threw some out but did not find the exact item she was looking for. Sigh.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Queries for Adult Education November 27
How can we as a community and as individuals support UFM members and attenders experiencing economic difficulties?
Thoughts and queries which may help guide our discussion:
From Pendle Hill pamphlet number 259, Stewardship of Wealth by Kingdon Swayne: “The concept of stewardship as I use it here goes far beyond its common use as shorthand for charitable giving. It expresses both the notion that what is mine legally is not really mine, and its corollary that my custody of wealth imposes on me an obligation to use it responsibly…ultimately , none of us owns anything.”
Swayne paraphrases John Woolman: “Be content with a small income and conveniences that are not costly, to lead a life free from “much entanglements”. Look to the sources of conflict and oppression in our possessions. Turn all the treasures we possess into the channel of universal love.”
From Faith and Practice (NPYM): Mutual Care: “Our need for love and care, and our response to this need in others, make up a rich part of our lives. In an exchange truly grounded in love, each of us is both giver and receiver, ready to help and accept help. Neither pride nor fear keeps ups from the unconditional love and care of God manifested through others. Let neither comfort nor self-centerdness blind us to need of others.
We listen to one another with openness of heart and in good faith, aware that greater wisdom than our own is required to meet our human needs. We lift up our hearts to the Source of all wisdom and power.
Are we charitable with each other?
Are we sensitive to each other’s personal needs and difficulties and do we assist in useful ways?”
Other queries:
How can (or does) UFM model John Woolman’s statement: “…Of all we call ours, we are most accountable to God and the public for our estates: In this we are but stewards, and to hoard up all to ourselves is great injustice as well as ingratitude.”
With limited resources, how can UFM best discern how best to use our resources?
Can you think of examples in which stewardship at UFM seemed Spirit-led?
How can we better serve those in our community in financial need?
==========
RantWoman feels endlessly blessed with prodigious capacity to rant and ramble, but RantWoman is doing the best she can to post the queries unadorned and to wait until after Sunday to inflict upon the world what churns up out of her own practical and spiritual compost heap
Thoughts and queries which may help guide our discussion:
From Pendle Hill pamphlet number 259, Stewardship of Wealth by Kingdon Swayne: “The concept of stewardship as I use it here goes far beyond its common use as shorthand for charitable giving. It expresses both the notion that what is mine legally is not really mine, and its corollary that my custody of wealth imposes on me an obligation to use it responsibly…ultimately , none of us owns anything.”
Swayne paraphrases John Woolman: “Be content with a small income and conveniences that are not costly, to lead a life free from “much entanglements”. Look to the sources of conflict and oppression in our possessions. Turn all the treasures we possess into the channel of universal love.”
From Faith and Practice (NPYM): Mutual Care: “Our need for love and care, and our response to this need in others, make up a rich part of our lives. In an exchange truly grounded in love, each of us is both giver and receiver, ready to help and accept help. Neither pride nor fear keeps ups from the unconditional love and care of God manifested through others. Let neither comfort nor self-centerdness blind us to need of others.
We listen to one another with openness of heart and in good faith, aware that greater wisdom than our own is required to meet our human needs. We lift up our hearts to the Source of all wisdom and power.
Are we charitable with each other?
Are we sensitive to each other’s personal needs and difficulties and do we assist in useful ways?”
Other queries:
How can (or does) UFM model John Woolman’s statement: “…Of all we call ours, we are most accountable to God and the public for our estates: In this we are but stewards, and to hoard up all to ourselves is great injustice as well as ingratitude.”
With limited resources, how can UFM best discern how best to use our resources?
Can you think of examples in which stewardship at UFM seemed Spirit-led?
How can we better serve those in our community in financial need?
==========
RantWoman feels endlessly blessed with prodigious capacity to rant and ramble, but RantWoman is doing the best she can to post the queries unadorned and to wait until after Sunday to inflict upon the world what churns up out of her own practical and spiritual compost heap
Seattle Occupied
From this week's bulletin:
Peace and Social Concerns Committee asks that Friends hold the Occupy movement, our police and our elected officials in the light. We hope that a common ground of love and humanity will enable young activists and others to invigorate our democracy, give voice to the real concerns of American people, and to discern a way forward.
Friday evening November 24, from 6-9 pm Susanna Kromberg of Salmon Bay Meeting will be serving as "chaplain" at the Interfaith tent at the Occupy Seattle encampment at Seattle Center Community College.
Peace and Social Concerns Committee asks that Friends hold the Occupy movement, our police and our elected officials in the light. We hope that a common ground of love and humanity will enable young activists and others to invigorate our democracy, give voice to the real concerns of American people, and to discern a way forward.
Friday evening November 24, from 6-9 pm Susanna Kromberg of Salmon Bay Meeting will be serving as "chaplain" at the Interfaith tent at the Occupy Seattle encampment at Seattle Center Community College.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Holding Space
This item about Quaker practices around listening absolutely falls in RantWoman's put it in the blog as filing cabinet column, and not just because it is on the internet instead of in some dusty pamphlet for RantWoman to sneeze over:
http://chronicler-3.blogspot.com/2011/11/holding-space.html
RantWoman is interested in both the theological language used to formulate the eldering or spiritual support discussed and the process elements involved in the meeting described here. RantWoman, of decidedly not straightforward faith admits to a certain program evaluator's reflex about "does it work?" But if one thinks of RantWoman's recent "this I know experimentally" item, what do we mean, "does it work?"
RantWoman also notes with care the convenor's acknowledgment of his need to care for himself spiritually. RantWoman has no official training in counseling, spiritual direction, pastoral attention to the life of a community. Instead RantWoman keeps stumbling into situations where such gifts are highly topical, where something in RantWoman's experience speaks to the situation EVEN when what speaks to RantWoman is a sense of being out of her depth, needing more care than can be had with only superificial increments of time.
Scratch that: RantWoman may be out of her depth, but RantWoman of late frequently also hears others about her even more at sea than RantWoman, at sea to the point they cannot even interact with RantWoman's points. RantWoman is meditating about"we are all ministers of God" and how we are called to care of each other with or without any specific academic or cultural credentials, with or without a tradition of some in a community being recognized for seeking and achieving training in specific areas.
RantWoman so wishes she felt like George Fox on Pendle Hill about all this. RantWoman would even settle for clarity about how to proceed among her own Meeting.
http://chronicler-3.blogspot.com/2011/11/holding-space.html
RantWoman is interested in both the theological language used to formulate the eldering or spiritual support discussed and the process elements involved in the meeting described here. RantWoman, of decidedly not straightforward faith admits to a certain program evaluator's reflex about "does it work?" But if one thinks of RantWoman's recent "this I know experimentally" item, what do we mean, "does it work?"
RantWoman also notes with care the convenor's acknowledgment of his need to care for himself spiritually. RantWoman has no official training in counseling, spiritual direction, pastoral attention to the life of a community. Instead RantWoman keeps stumbling into situations where such gifts are highly topical, where something in RantWoman's experience speaks to the situation EVEN when what speaks to RantWoman is a sense of being out of her depth, needing more care than can be had with only superificial increments of time.
Scratch that: RantWoman may be out of her depth, but RantWoman of late frequently also hears others about her even more at sea than RantWoman, at sea to the point they cannot even interact with RantWoman's points. RantWoman is meditating about"we are all ministers of God" and how we are called to care of each other with or without any specific academic or cultural credentials, with or without a tradition of some in a community being recognized for seeking and achieving training in specific areas.
RantWoman so wishes she felt like George Fox on Pendle Hill about all this. RantWoman would even settle for clarity about how to proceed among her own Meeting.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Restorative Circle Workshop December 3
Restorative Circle workshop Sat, Dec 3 in Seattle
Dear friends,
Please join me at this Restorative Circle facilitation workshop on Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 9:30 - 5:00 in Seattle (at the Center for Spiritual Living). Registration is open at: http://www.spiritualliving.org/classes.
I have been studying Restorative Circle practice for the last year and a half and very inspired by how it compliments our Compassionate Listening practices. It provides a structure of shared leadership and empowerment for a community - whether a small family to a large organization.
It empowers everyone, keeping all parties out of the triangle and into self responsibility and mutual understanding. The deeper one's practices and skills of Compassionate Listening, the deeper the healing and transformation in the Circle process. I hope you will join us and learn more!
Here is some information:
Are you interested in greater harmony in your community, family and organizations? Can you imagine engaging conflict in a way that builds relationships?
Would you like to learn about Restorative Circles, cultivate compassionate communication, and practice restorative justice?
Is your family, organization or neighborhood interested in Seattle Restorative Circle Pilot Project, a project of the Compassionate Action Network?
A "Restorative Circle" is a restorative justice practice that empowers communities to deal with conflicts in a way that efficiently and effectively meets the needs of those involved and deepens connections among its members. Restorative Circles (RC) harness the generative wisdom and shared power of community. The facilitated RC process supports people to step into important and bold conversations with safety and provides a mechanism for vibrant, ongoing, community-based restorative justice systems.
Developed in Brazil by Dominic Barter, this practice is used in a wide range of groups, organizations, schools, court systems, communities, workplaces, and families around the world and is beginning to take off in Seattle and surrounding communities. In the immediate aftermath of a Seattle police officer's fatal shooting of John T. Williams, a First Nations wood carver, a Restorative Circle was held between Police Chief John Diaz, top department officials, and the grieving family. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014113565_diazreport03m.html.
Now we are engaged in a Pilot Project to create a restorative justice system in Seattle based upon Restorative Circles. See the CAN website: http://my.compassionateactionnetwork.com/profile/RestorativeCirclesSeattle.
The workshop on December 3rd will allow you to explore the Restorative Circle practice for yourself and, if you like it, consider participating as a leader in establishing restorative systems in your own communities. It provides participants with the experience and support to embrace conflict in a way that deepens connections, empowers all individuals, and builds strength of community. In this workshop, we provide foundation for the elements and purpose of each part of the restorative circle process, and create a supportive environment within which participants engage in hands-on facilitation. We also guide participants in considering the adoption of restorative circle systems in their own communities.
Please register for the workshops at http://www.spiritualliving.org/classes or in person at Center for Spiritual Living Seattle. COST: $75 per person if registered by November 27 at 9pm, $95 after. DISCOUNTS to $55 per person for early registration of groups of two or more.**
Mark your calendars! A future Restorative Circles Facilitation Workshop will be held on March 10, 2012 9:30 - 5:00 and a deepening workshop will be held May 5, 2012.
The December 3, 2011 Restorative Circles Facilitation Workshop will be facilitated by Andrea Brenneke and Susan Partnow.
Andrea Brenneke is a passionate advocate for justice and facilitator of individual and community healing and empowerment. She practices civil rights and employment law at MacDonald Hoague & Bayless in Seattle and is a certified mediator. http://www.mhb.com/. She also serves as a licensed practitioner with the United Centers for Spiritual Living, Seattle. Andrea has been offering facilitation in Restorative Circles and working with communities to build restorative justice systems using Restorative Circles since 2010.
Susan Partnow is a community builder, mediator, organizational development and training consultant. She serves as a catalyst for positive changes through workshops, retreats, and coaching. Co-founder of Conversation Cafes and Let's Talk America, and former advisor to National Coalition on Dialogue and Deliberation, Susan facilitates processes to transform conflict and promote co-intelligence in ways that expand collective capacity, such as Open Space, World Cafe and Appreciative Inquiry. She is a Sr. Trainer and co-creator of the Advanced Training and Certification track with The Compassionate Listening Project. As founder and Executive Director of Global Citizen Journey she has led delegations to Ghana, Nigeria and is training Peacebuilders in Liberia in Compassionate Listening and Restorative Circle practices. A former teacher and speech pathologist with B.A. and Secondary Credential from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.A. from Northwestern University, Susan wrote Everyday Speaking for All Occasions and currently works as Sr. Organizational Development consultant for Swedish Medical Services. http://www.susanpartnow.com/.
For more information about Restorative Circles and the work of Dominic Barter, please visit his website: http://www.restorativecircles.org/.
Questions? Feel free to contact Andrea Brenneke at abrenneke@gmail.com or 206.696.1843 or Susan Partnow at susanpartnow@gmail.com or 206.783.8561.
** Because a restorative circle works best as part of an established and ongoing restorative justice system, we encourage two or more individuals from a community or organization to take the workshop, learn to facilitate, and support one another in the establishment of a system that works for their own community
Susan
Susan Partnow
Sr. Certified Facilitator, The Compassionate Listening Project
4425 Baker Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
tel. 206-783-8561
fax 206-782-7786
http://www.compassionatelistening.org/
http://www.susanpartnow.com/ Partnow Communications, Organizational Development, Consulting & Facilitation
http://www.globalcitizenjourney.org/ Founding Director
join our mailing list
http://www.conversationcafe.org/Co-Founder
"When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other." --Margaret Wheatley
Dear friends,
Please join me at this Restorative Circle facilitation workshop on Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 9:30 - 5:00 in Seattle (at the Center for Spiritual Living). Registration is open at: http://www.spiritualliving.org/classes.
I have been studying Restorative Circle practice for the last year and a half and very inspired by how it compliments our Compassionate Listening practices. It provides a structure of shared leadership and empowerment for a community - whether a small family to a large organization.
It empowers everyone, keeping all parties out of the triangle and into self responsibility and mutual understanding. The deeper one's practices and skills of Compassionate Listening, the deeper the healing and transformation in the Circle process. I hope you will join us and learn more!
Here is some information:
Are you interested in greater harmony in your community, family and organizations? Can you imagine engaging conflict in a way that builds relationships?
Would you like to learn about Restorative Circles, cultivate compassionate communication, and practice restorative justice?
Is your family, organization or neighborhood interested in Seattle Restorative Circle Pilot Project, a project of the Compassionate Action Network?
A "Restorative Circle" is a restorative justice practice that empowers communities to deal with conflicts in a way that efficiently and effectively meets the needs of those involved and deepens connections among its members. Restorative Circles (RC) harness the generative wisdom and shared power of community. The facilitated RC process supports people to step into important and bold conversations with safety and provides a mechanism for vibrant, ongoing, community-based restorative justice systems.
Developed in Brazil by Dominic Barter, this practice is used in a wide range of groups, organizations, schools, court systems, communities, workplaces, and families around the world and is beginning to take off in Seattle and surrounding communities. In the immediate aftermath of a Seattle police officer's fatal shooting of John T. Williams, a First Nations wood carver, a Restorative Circle was held between Police Chief John Diaz, top department officials, and the grieving family. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014113565_diazreport03m.html.
Now we are engaged in a Pilot Project to create a restorative justice system in Seattle based upon Restorative Circles. See the CAN website: http://my.compassionateactionnetwork.com/profile/RestorativeCirclesSeattle.
The workshop on December 3rd will allow you to explore the Restorative Circle practice for yourself and, if you like it, consider participating as a leader in establishing restorative systems in your own communities. It provides participants with the experience and support to embrace conflict in a way that deepens connections, empowers all individuals, and builds strength of community. In this workshop, we provide foundation for the elements and purpose of each part of the restorative circle process, and create a supportive environment within which participants engage in hands-on facilitation. We also guide participants in considering the adoption of restorative circle systems in their own communities.
Please register for the workshops at http://www.spiritualliving.org/classes or in person at Center for Spiritual Living Seattle. COST: $75 per person if registered by November 27 at 9pm, $95 after. DISCOUNTS to $55 per person for early registration of groups of two or more.**
Mark your calendars! A future Restorative Circles Facilitation Workshop will be held on March 10, 2012 9:30 - 5:00 and a deepening workshop will be held May 5, 2012.
The December 3, 2011 Restorative Circles Facilitation Workshop will be facilitated by Andrea Brenneke and Susan Partnow.
Andrea Brenneke is a passionate advocate for justice and facilitator of individual and community healing and empowerment. She practices civil rights and employment law at MacDonald Hoague & Bayless in Seattle and is a certified mediator. http://www.mhb.com/. She also serves as a licensed practitioner with the United Centers for Spiritual Living, Seattle. Andrea has been offering facilitation in Restorative Circles and working with communities to build restorative justice systems using Restorative Circles since 2010.
Susan Partnow is a community builder, mediator, organizational development and training consultant. She serves as a catalyst for positive changes through workshops, retreats, and coaching. Co-founder of Conversation Cafes and Let's Talk America, and former advisor to National Coalition on Dialogue and Deliberation, Susan facilitates processes to transform conflict and promote co-intelligence in ways that expand collective capacity, such as Open Space, World Cafe and Appreciative Inquiry. She is a Sr. Trainer and co-creator of the Advanced Training and Certification track with The Compassionate Listening Project. As founder and Executive Director of Global Citizen Journey she has led delegations to Ghana, Nigeria and is training Peacebuilders in Liberia in Compassionate Listening and Restorative Circle practices. A former teacher and speech pathologist with B.A. and Secondary Credential from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.A. from Northwestern University, Susan wrote Everyday Speaking for All Occasions and currently works as Sr. Organizational Development consultant for Swedish Medical Services. http://www.susanpartnow.com/.
For more information about Restorative Circles and the work of Dominic Barter, please visit his website: http://www.restorativecircles.org/.
Questions? Feel free to contact Andrea Brenneke at abrenneke@gmail.com or 206.696.1843 or Susan Partnow at susanpartnow@gmail.com or 206.783.8561.
** Because a restorative circle works best as part of an established and ongoing restorative justice system, we encourage two or more individuals from a community or organization to take the workshop, learn to facilitate, and support one another in the establishment of a system that works for their own community
Susan
Susan Partnow
Sr. Certified Facilitator, The Compassionate Listening Project
4425 Baker Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
tel. 206-783-8561
fax 206-782-7786
http://www.compassionatelistening.org/
http://www.susanpartnow.com/ Partnow Communications, Organizational Development, Consulting & Facilitation
http://www.globalcitizenjourney.org/ Founding Director
join our mailing list
http://www.conversationcafe.org/Co-Founder
"When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other." --Margaret Wheatley
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Dear Santa Claus
Dear Santa Claus,
First of all, if you need to argue about whether or not RantWoman has been a good girl, it's going to take either a long prickly phone conversation or really a lot of email. Between Charm School, the continued fermentation of RantWoman's spiritual compost heap, and RantWoman's well-documented capacity for telling WAY too much of the truth, RantWoman regrets to inform you that you are not even first in line to argue the matter.
Second, RantWoman really does not recommend crawling around her building's ventilation system trying to deliver presents anyway. As usual, RantWoman is really going to need some Divine presense for the season regardless, so unless you and the reindeer need some serious psychodrama, how about you and I together figure out how to help some kids struggling with too little of something have enough for at least one day?
And by the way, could you please deliver us all from TOO many opportunities to overdose on
--holiday cavils and complaints, especially by almost everyone in RantWoman's circle who needs stern reminders of all we have to be grateful for.
--too much angst, anguish, ennui, aggravation....
Peace and love
RantWoman
Oh wait, you wanted to hear from the Real RantWoman.
I will not offer irreverent comments about other people's spiritual practices.
I will not offer irreverent comments about other people's spiritual practices.
I will not offer irreverent comments about other people's spiritual practices.
I will not offer irreverent comments about other people's spiritual practices.
Wait. Let's begin with tidings of great joy throughout the land: Meeting for Business took less than 10 minutes to decide that on Christmas day we can bear the thought of the Safest Sex Offender on the Planet worshipping with us at 9:30, at 11:00 and throughout any post-worship socializing as long as he has one or more chaperones.
The Safest Sex Offender on the Planet has more chaperones listed with the Department of Corrections than any other sex offender in WA. Ensuring that there are chaperones about should not be difficult. RantWoman may have to beg off if Sensible Auntie has the World's Most Irrepressible Nephew n tow, but RantWoman is getting ahead of herself.
Business Meeting got eldered by a newcomer on multiple grounds, some of which RantWoman unites with. Sex offenders get one level of public fixation; other people who commit crimes of violence or substance abuse qualify for MUCH less supervision and post-release support. Second, in Friend Newcomer's "home" Meeting, somewhere in Philadelphia, Christmas is just a day like any other. Yeah, thought RantWoman, in terms of taditional Quaker custom we're definitely heterodox on that point. Christmas falls on Sunday this year anyway and a really good party is always a blessing.
After being eldered, Business Meeting had to consider logistics of accommodating The Safest Sex Offender's rules for himself about not being near children: it is the Safest Sex Offender...'s practice to move to another sectionin our worship room if a child sits in the same section where he sits. One Sunday, a young newcomer who did not know of the rule sat in the Safest Sex Offender...'s section; next a friend of the young Newcomer also sat in the same section and felt awkward when the Safest Sex Offender moved. On Christmas day, there tend to be more children than usual; Business Meeting agreed that any adults who are able will surround the Safest Sex Offender so he does not have to move.
Confessions:
--What with Ambassador Thwack and RantWoman's fabulous inate capacity for centeredness and Inner Blowtorch, it's all RantWoman can do many days to keep herself out of jail and we won't even talk about her proclivity occasionally toward civil disobedience. The point is, RantWoman is happy to be a chaperone but the Safest Sex Offender... is the one ultimately responsible for keeping himself out of jail.
--RantWoman is conscious that the Safest Sex Offender's obsessive fastidiousness about rules including things to do with children is partly his way of dealing with fear of public overreaction and hyperventilating, some of which has absolutely no relationship to the Safeest sex Offender...'s actual behavior. RantWoman is seasoning a leading about whether some of the new support and accountability committee's "support spiritual growth" activities might aim for different discernment in this area. Dear Friend, LOTS of us believe in you. We trust our chaperone practices. Even if one person goes off the deep end, there are LOTS of people around to...."
--Similarly, recently RantWoman spent part of her day's highly constrained quota of print consumption scraping her eyeballs over The Safest Sex Offender...'s conditions from the Department of Corrections, the document assembled from Meeting minutes, and especially the paragraphs about chaperones. RantWoman found helpful advice for everyday non-dating non visit in household situations like "everyone must remain clothed. Oh thank heaven! RantWoman is all for people being comfortable with their bodies. "Legally decent in the state of WA" also leaves more latitude than ANYONE needs to explore for this conversation anyway, but that seems like a pretty basic starting place.
--Then there is the point about not doing anything "irresponsible." Okay, RantWoman can make some guesses but how the heck is RantWoman necessarily supposed to know what constitutes "irresponsible" for the Safest Sex Offender....?
--The Department of Corrections / treatment program part of the conditions next mentions ...."civil penalties," assuming any lawyer is undeterred by RantWoman's utter lack of anything worth suing for, files a claim. In other words, we are still back to moral center and sense of social contract, and probably for a LONG sequence before any external levers would kick in.
--Next the conditions documents tell chaperones to report violations to Oversight. There has never been a violation that would get the Safest Sex Offender... barred for the specified month. In fact, even though some of the conditions seem muddled to RantWoman, the only things that have happened or not happend have to do with what different parts of our Meeting do about telling newcomers about this ministry. That topic is worthy of its own rant.
--RantWoman is new to the chaperone thing. RantWoman also cannot necessarily see either children the Safest Sex Offender wants to move away from or clear paths to move away. This makes for interesting dance about the Safest Sex Offender....'s rules for himself, which are stricter to begin with than either the Department of Corrections or the document in Meeting. This point is part of what is behind RantWoman's leadings. So RantWoman seasons....
--RantWoman's other problem: any children who might bump into a fully-clothed Safest Sex Offender... in connection with Meeting for Worship are as of the current situation MUCH lower on RantWoman's Fret about Chidren list than a whole bunch of other categories including:
--the world's most irrepressible nephew, for obvious reasons. Not that RantWoman is anywhere near the front of the line about who is expected to deal, but....
--baby gangbangers, the VERY occasional entanglement with sex trafficking, and general adolescent oblivious among fellow bus passengers. RantWoman rides in the front of the bus a lot. She cannot just shut off her ears. Dealing with that topic in a sensitive, centered way is a very big part these days of how RantWoman is called to live the peace testimony. For this reason, RantWoman is VERY glad to know of Project Safe Place. RantWoman thinks others in her Meeting might also appreciate this nugget of info but so far except for people who might read RantWoman's blog and not admit it, RantWoman keeps forgetting to say anything.
--Any child in or around RantWoman's Meeting who might, God/dess forbid fall into the zone of a comment RantWoman has made a couple times aroudn her Meeting "When RantWoman was a teenager, if anyone in the RantFamily had been willing to talk, say to SOMEONE at her house of worship, there would have been things to hear." RantWoman spent a whole HOUR in Business Meeting awhile ago speaking about things she keeps hearing as "shut up." RantWoman anachronistically posts the actual minutes. "Shut up" got edited out.
RantWoman has said several times several ways that she needs to speak in a different place than Business Meeting about all the things on RantWoman's mind. RantWoman freely admits she wants ways to check her own ferociousness about the topic in context of some concerns she has based on her experience of others' awareness and engagement. RantWoman is also not clear about what actions might make sense. However, RantWoman considers just being told "go talk to your counselor" insensitive at best. RantWoman is pointedly omitting the title of the Friend who made that comment and RantWoman is going to try AGAIN off-blog about a whole bunch of themes tied up with the topic.
--Next in ine for frets, not that RantWoman has ANY capacity to do anything about it, children who might bump into the digital inclusion volunteer RantWoman has written of previously with the, um, radioactive taste in porn. RantWoman has every indication that Digital Inclusion volunteer himself and the computer lab wher ehe works are attentive to issues of responsible behavior, but RantWoman feels like fretting a little anyway.
--and finally the well-watched tykes of our community who might cross paths with the Safest Sex Offender on the planet in worship on Christmas day.
Okay, okay, RantWoman is aware that holidays can bring all sorts of expectations about socializing with people who trample the boundaries of adults and children around them. RantWoman thinks it would be at least sporting to offer some kind of resource for coping with such.
Possibly topical, though RantWoman will try to do better and will post if delivered of such, on forgiveness and reconciliation:
http://aquakerwitch.blogspot.com/2011/11/thinking-about-forgiveness-and.html
First of all, if you need to argue about whether or not RantWoman has been a good girl, it's going to take either a long prickly phone conversation or really a lot of email. Between Charm School, the continued fermentation of RantWoman's spiritual compost heap, and RantWoman's well-documented capacity for telling WAY too much of the truth, RantWoman regrets to inform you that you are not even first in line to argue the matter.
Second, RantWoman really does not recommend crawling around her building's ventilation system trying to deliver presents anyway. As usual, RantWoman is really going to need some Divine presense for the season regardless, so unless you and the reindeer need some serious psychodrama, how about you and I together figure out how to help some kids struggling with too little of something have enough for at least one day?
And by the way, could you please deliver us all from TOO many opportunities to overdose on
--holiday cavils and complaints, especially by almost everyone in RantWoman's circle who needs stern reminders of all we have to be grateful for.
--too much angst, anguish, ennui, aggravation....
Peace and love
RantWoman
Oh wait, you wanted to hear from the Real RantWoman.
I will not offer irreverent comments about other people's spiritual practices.
I will not offer irreverent comments about other people's spiritual practices.
I will not offer irreverent comments about other people's spiritual practices.
I will not offer irreverent comments about other people's spiritual practices.
Wait. Let's begin with tidings of great joy throughout the land: Meeting for Business took less than 10 minutes to decide that on Christmas day we can bear the thought of the Safest Sex Offender on the Planet worshipping with us at 9:30, at 11:00 and throughout any post-worship socializing as long as he has one or more chaperones.
The Safest Sex Offender on the Planet has more chaperones listed with the Department of Corrections than any other sex offender in WA. Ensuring that there are chaperones about should not be difficult. RantWoman may have to beg off if Sensible Auntie has the World's Most Irrepressible Nephew n tow, but RantWoman is getting ahead of herself.
Business Meeting got eldered by a newcomer on multiple grounds, some of which RantWoman unites with. Sex offenders get one level of public fixation; other people who commit crimes of violence or substance abuse qualify for MUCH less supervision and post-release support. Second, in Friend Newcomer's "home" Meeting, somewhere in Philadelphia, Christmas is just a day like any other. Yeah, thought RantWoman, in terms of taditional Quaker custom we're definitely heterodox on that point. Christmas falls on Sunday this year anyway and a really good party is always a blessing.
After being eldered, Business Meeting had to consider logistics of accommodating The Safest Sex Offender's rules for himself about not being near children: it is the Safest Sex Offender...'s practice to move to another sectionin our worship room if a child sits in the same section where he sits. One Sunday, a young newcomer who did not know of the rule sat in the Safest Sex Offender...'s section; next a friend of the young Newcomer also sat in the same section and felt awkward when the Safest Sex Offender moved. On Christmas day, there tend to be more children than usual; Business Meeting agreed that any adults who are able will surround the Safest Sex Offender so he does not have to move.
Confessions:
--What with Ambassador Thwack and RantWoman's fabulous inate capacity for centeredness and Inner Blowtorch, it's all RantWoman can do many days to keep herself out of jail and we won't even talk about her proclivity occasionally toward civil disobedience. The point is, RantWoman is happy to be a chaperone but the Safest Sex Offender... is the one ultimately responsible for keeping himself out of jail.
--RantWoman is conscious that the Safest Sex Offender's obsessive fastidiousness about rules including things to do with children is partly his way of dealing with fear of public overreaction and hyperventilating, some of which has absolutely no relationship to the Safeest sex Offender...'s actual behavior. RantWoman is seasoning a leading about whether some of the new support and accountability committee's "support spiritual growth" activities might aim for different discernment in this area. Dear Friend, LOTS of us believe in you. We trust our chaperone practices. Even if one person goes off the deep end, there are LOTS of people around to...."
--Similarly, recently RantWoman spent part of her day's highly constrained quota of print consumption scraping her eyeballs over The Safest Sex Offender...'s conditions from the Department of Corrections, the document assembled from Meeting minutes, and especially the paragraphs about chaperones. RantWoman found helpful advice for everyday non-dating non visit in household situations like "everyone must remain clothed. Oh thank heaven! RantWoman is all for people being comfortable with their bodies. "Legally decent in the state of WA" also leaves more latitude than ANYONE needs to explore for this conversation anyway, but that seems like a pretty basic starting place.
--Then there is the point about not doing anything "irresponsible." Okay, RantWoman can make some guesses but how the heck is RantWoman necessarily supposed to know what constitutes "irresponsible" for the Safest Sex Offender....?
--The Department of Corrections / treatment program part of the conditions next mentions ...."civil penalties," assuming any lawyer is undeterred by RantWoman's utter lack of anything worth suing for, files a claim. In other words, we are still back to moral center and sense of social contract, and probably for a LONG sequence before any external levers would kick in.
--Next the conditions documents tell chaperones to report violations to Oversight. There has never been a violation that would get the Safest Sex Offender... barred for the specified month. In fact, even though some of the conditions seem muddled to RantWoman, the only things that have happened or not happend have to do with what different parts of our Meeting do about telling newcomers about this ministry. That topic is worthy of its own rant.
--RantWoman is new to the chaperone thing. RantWoman also cannot necessarily see either children the Safest Sex Offender wants to move away from or clear paths to move away. This makes for interesting dance about the Safest Sex Offender....'s rules for himself, which are stricter to begin with than either the Department of Corrections or the document in Meeting. This point is part of what is behind RantWoman's leadings. So RantWoman seasons....
--RantWoman's other problem: any children who might bump into a fully-clothed Safest Sex Offender... in connection with Meeting for Worship are as of the current situation MUCH lower on RantWoman's Fret about Chidren list than a whole bunch of other categories including:
--the world's most irrepressible nephew, for obvious reasons. Not that RantWoman is anywhere near the front of the line about who is expected to deal, but....
--baby gangbangers, the VERY occasional entanglement with sex trafficking, and general adolescent oblivious among fellow bus passengers. RantWoman rides in the front of the bus a lot. She cannot just shut off her ears. Dealing with that topic in a sensitive, centered way is a very big part these days of how RantWoman is called to live the peace testimony. For this reason, RantWoman is VERY glad to know of Project Safe Place. RantWoman thinks others in her Meeting might also appreciate this nugget of info but so far except for people who might read RantWoman's blog and not admit it, RantWoman keeps forgetting to say anything.
--Any child in or around RantWoman's Meeting who might, God/dess forbid fall into the zone of a comment RantWoman has made a couple times aroudn her Meeting "When RantWoman was a teenager, if anyone in the RantFamily had been willing to talk, say to SOMEONE at her house of worship, there would have been things to hear." RantWoman spent a whole HOUR in Business Meeting awhile ago speaking about things she keeps hearing as "shut up." RantWoman anachronistically posts the actual minutes. "Shut up" got edited out.
RantWoman has said several times several ways that she needs to speak in a different place than Business Meeting about all the things on RantWoman's mind. RantWoman freely admits she wants ways to check her own ferociousness about the topic in context of some concerns she has based on her experience of others' awareness and engagement. RantWoman is also not clear about what actions might make sense. However, RantWoman considers just being told "go talk to your counselor" insensitive at best. RantWoman is pointedly omitting the title of the Friend who made that comment and RantWoman is going to try AGAIN off-blog about a whole bunch of themes tied up with the topic.
--Next in ine for frets, not that RantWoman has ANY capacity to do anything about it, children who might bump into the digital inclusion volunteer RantWoman has written of previously with the, um, radioactive taste in porn. RantWoman has every indication that Digital Inclusion volunteer himself and the computer lab wher ehe works are attentive to issues of responsible behavior, but RantWoman feels like fretting a little anyway.
--and finally the well-watched tykes of our community who might cross paths with the Safest Sex Offender on the planet in worship on Christmas day.
Okay, okay, RantWoman is aware that holidays can bring all sorts of expectations about socializing with people who trample the boundaries of adults and children around them. RantWoman thinks it would be at least sporting to offer some kind of resource for coping with such.
Possibly topical, though RantWoman will try to do better and will post if delivered of such, on forgiveness and reconciliation:
http://aquakerwitch.blogspot.com/2011/11/thinking-about-forgiveness-and.html
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Seattle Unoccupied
RantWoman is really energized merely by the existence of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
RantWoman has also been feeling herself VERY humble and grateful to have a warm dry place to sleep and a cat to herd her to bed. RantWOman has so far felt NO call to do overnights but has walked through a time or two.
Once RantWoman made a specific effort to impart a concern which had crackled over bus radio while Metro was riding downtown; RantWoman was glad that the message sseemed to e holding afew days later when RantWoman visited again and happened to think to ask.
Crusty Activist friend "The Occupy people seem to be struggling about process. I think we old-timers could teach them a thing or two and maybe they need help."
RantMom to RantWoman "Honey, you could give them lessons."
RantWoman to RantMom "Mom, they seem like they are doing just fine without me."
Really Good Questions Friend: "We were down there visiting and I am amazed about the decisionmaking process. It feels just like Business Meeting to me."
Sunday November 20, Friends from our Meeting will hold Meeting for Worship at 2 pm at the multifaith tent at Occupy Seattle. RantWoman was glad to sign up.
RantWoman has also been feeling herself VERY humble and grateful to have a warm dry place to sleep and a cat to herd her to bed. RantWOman has so far felt NO call to do overnights but has walked through a time or two.
Once RantWoman made a specific effort to impart a concern which had crackled over bus radio while Metro was riding downtown; RantWoman was glad that the message sseemed to e holding afew days later when RantWoman visited again and happened to think to ask.
Crusty Activist friend "The Occupy people seem to be struggling about process. I think we old-timers could teach them a thing or two and maybe they need help."
RantMom to RantWoman "Honey, you could give them lessons."
RantWoman to RantMom "Mom, they seem like they are doing just fine without me."
Really Good Questions Friend: "We were down there visiting and I am amazed about the decisionmaking process. It feels just like Business Meeting to me."
Sunday November 20, Friends from our Meeting will hold Meeting for Worship at 2 pm at the multifaith tent at Occupy Seattle. RantWoman was glad to sign up.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
December 9-10 Talking about Race Event
I would like to invite you to the Seattle Race Initiative that will held on December 9th and 10th at Mount Zion Baptist Church. It is designed to help us have everyday and nonthreatening discussions about race. To assist with this, the Initiative has a remarkable Master Facilitator, Dr. David Campt, known as the Race Doctor (http://www.davidcampt.com/ ).
Friday evening will look at race through the lens of the arts, looking at ways that artists explore race through literature, dance, music, the spoken word and visual arts. We'll be led in a fun discussion about how we perceived the art then have Q and A with the artists. During the day on Saturday we will work in groups based on our work and/or interest identities. This is a great way to ensure that participants start with something important in common. The groups will have members of different ages, life stages, races and ethnicities, neighborhoods and experiences with race and racism.
While one weekend cannot change how Seattleites speak to each other, taking conversations about race out of the realm of blame is a great start. I hope to see you, your friends and family there!
Location: Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1634-19th Ave, 206.322.6500, www.mountzion.net
Cost: FREE
Meals: Provided
RSVP: l-emckinney@comcast.net
Thank you,
Lora-Ella McKinney
Friday evening will look at race through the lens of the arts, looking at ways that artists explore race through literature, dance, music, the spoken word and visual arts. We'll be led in a fun discussion about how we perceived the art then have Q and A with the artists. During the day on Saturday we will work in groups based on our work and/or interest identities. This is a great way to ensure that participants start with something important in common. The groups will have members of different ages, life stages, races and ethnicities, neighborhoods and experiences with race and racism.
While one weekend cannot change how Seattleites speak to each other, taking conversations about race out of the realm of blame is a great start. I hope to see you, your friends and family there!
Location: Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1634-19th Ave, 206.322.6500, www.mountzion.net
Cost: FREE
Meals: Provided
RSVP: l-emckinney@comcast.net
Thank you,
Lora-Ella McKinney
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Public
RantWoman is meditating about the phrase "attend Meeting for Worship just like everyone else." RantWoman COMPLETELY supports that.
RantWoman is also finding herself grateful that Meeting for Business has interacted with big circumstances in the life of the Friend with the Remarkable Story. RantWoman heard summaries of extensive and very positive evaluations before the Friend with the Remarkable Story was released from prison. RantWoman learned that the Friend with the Remarkable Story is being notably open with his neighbors, even some who post hateful and alarming things on neighborhood blogs. RantWoman heard much that is positive and not a single negative thing about the Friend with a Remarkable Story.
RantWoman heard one Friend grumble "Why does this even need to come to Business Meeting? It's apples and oranges in important respects from the Safest Sex Offender on the Planet." RantWoman and everyone else who spoke said it's an important story and it's important to speak Truth and to be strong in the story.
RantWoman is collecting some items off the internet. RantWoman is clear that a number of people in her Meeting currently have both the capacity to look things up on the internet and enough information to know why one would look things up. RantWoman learned today that some in her Meeting did not have to look things up. Elders may think the blogosphere is a big echo chamber full of middle class people and their computers, but younger families plugged into neighborhood email lists have decidedly other views.
RantWoman is glad that information and inquiries have now come to Meeting for Business. RantWoman is still feeling surprisingly fierce about some points she is seasoning what to do with, but RantWoman would feel fierce about these points with or without the Friend with the Remarkable Story.
RantWoman is clear that many more conversations are probably going to need to happen. RantWoman is clear about her own views, and RantWoman is praying for centeredness as conversations unfold and Light about where to go next.
RantWoman wrote the rest of this earlier including the blog as file cabinet listings. RantWoman does not feel called to edit out the anachronistic elements.
If Quakers ever write an etiquette book RantWoman would be glad to help about a chapter on whether or not it is a social gaffe, if one is not feelng centered enough for where a conversation might go, to "forget" to introduce two people who need to meet, the Safest sex Offender on the Planet and the friend with the Remarkable Story. RantWoman has to be VERY frank: despite being in a unique position about the matter, RantWoman herself is easing in very slowly. RantWoman is clear in her own discernment that immediate reaction is NOT needed about some issues. Rantwoman is also clear that others may not share her view or may need thoughtful discernment to get there.
The Friend with the Remarkable Story introduced himself again during announcements after worship last week. That happens to be one of the weeks each month when the safest sex Offender on the Planet worships at 11:00. The Friend with the Remarkable Story is quite forthright about having just gotten out of prison and about being part of the Monroe Worship Group. At this point in our Meeting's life, there exactly two people attending regularly besides the Friend with the Remarkable Story and his wife who participated in the Monroe Worship Group, RantWoman and.... and only RantWoman was present.
So,when the Friend with the Remarkable Story introduced himself during announcements, RantWoman felt called to rise also. Despite pleas from parents of squirming children for brevity in announcements, RantWoman spoke of the Monroe Worship Group, of how LOTS of Quakers are involved with Alternatives to violence in prisons, but the Monroe Worship Group is unique in terms of inmates getting out and continuing to worship among friends. RantWoman also specifically said she is glad to have the Friend with the Remarkable Story and Mrs. ... Remarkable Story worshipping among us. Neither the Friend with the remarkable Story nor RantWoman have so far felt called to say more of what RantWoman knows there is to say. Thinking more about that problem a day or two later, RantWoman was led to ...the search engine of her choice, and to some links to follow from what turned up!
Understand, in the world of RantWoman and e-torrents, if it's all over the internet, sooner or later either someone else in Meeting is going to notice or someone is going to turn up and ask. Either way, let's hope it's God, not just RantWoman trying to mix PR and centered community discernment.
The nub of the matter, if a set of topics which evoke a whole range of thoughts in RantWoman and about which many in RantWoman's Meeting have so far had no or very little occasion even to think about can be called a nub:
RantWoman never has trouble holding couples living through great challenges in the light!
Sex Offender Registration with various informational links.
http://www.icrimewatch.net/offenderdetails.php?OfndrID=1425116&AgencyID=54473
A bit from the local Fox news affiliate. Rantwoman cannot locate any content except the picture but thinks there musht be some.
http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-daniel-pens-level-3-sex-offender-living-in-ballard-20111020,0,3373116.photo
A blog entry with a range of comments ranging from, to RantWoman's ear, vehement ranting to sensible thought.
http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11650
An important appellate case about treatment programs that encourage offenders to acknowledge offenses they cannot be prosecuted for and whether or not those admissions can be cited as aggravating factors in sentencing.
http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/902/1464/164758/
An OLD Letter to the Editor of The Stranger, a local newswekly whose stylebook most assuredly does not eschew the F word and which regularly curls the hair of many readers:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/letters-to-the-editor/Content?oid=6497
The original article about Tamara Menteer and the Whitestone Foundation:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/the-rape-revisionist/Content?oid=6343
A book review:
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/99_displayNews.aspx
and as previously mentioned:
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/Default.aspx
RantWoman is also finding herself grateful that Meeting for Business has interacted with big circumstances in the life of the Friend with the Remarkable Story. RantWoman heard summaries of extensive and very positive evaluations before the Friend with the Remarkable Story was released from prison. RantWoman learned that the Friend with the Remarkable Story is being notably open with his neighbors, even some who post hateful and alarming things on neighborhood blogs. RantWoman heard much that is positive and not a single negative thing about the Friend with a Remarkable Story.
RantWoman heard one Friend grumble "Why does this even need to come to Business Meeting? It's apples and oranges in important respects from the Safest Sex Offender on the Planet." RantWoman and everyone else who spoke said it's an important story and it's important to speak Truth and to be strong in the story.
RantWoman is collecting some items off the internet. RantWoman is clear that a number of people in her Meeting currently have both the capacity to look things up on the internet and enough information to know why one would look things up. RantWoman learned today that some in her Meeting did not have to look things up. Elders may think the blogosphere is a big echo chamber full of middle class people and their computers, but younger families plugged into neighborhood email lists have decidedly other views.
RantWoman is glad that information and inquiries have now come to Meeting for Business. RantWoman is still feeling surprisingly fierce about some points she is seasoning what to do with, but RantWoman would feel fierce about these points with or without the Friend with the Remarkable Story.
RantWoman is clear that many more conversations are probably going to need to happen. RantWoman is clear about her own views, and RantWoman is praying for centeredness as conversations unfold and Light about where to go next.
RantWoman wrote the rest of this earlier including the blog as file cabinet listings. RantWoman does not feel called to edit out the anachronistic elements.
If Quakers ever write an etiquette book RantWoman would be glad to help about a chapter on whether or not it is a social gaffe, if one is not feelng centered enough for where a conversation might go, to "forget" to introduce two people who need to meet, the Safest sex Offender on the Planet and the friend with the Remarkable Story. RantWoman has to be VERY frank: despite being in a unique position about the matter, RantWoman herself is easing in very slowly. RantWoman is clear in her own discernment that immediate reaction is NOT needed about some issues. Rantwoman is also clear that others may not share her view or may need thoughtful discernment to get there.
The Friend with the Remarkable Story introduced himself again during announcements after worship last week. That happens to be one of the weeks each month when the safest sex Offender on the Planet worships at 11:00. The Friend with the Remarkable Story is quite forthright about having just gotten out of prison and about being part of the Monroe Worship Group. At this point in our Meeting's life, there exactly two people attending regularly besides the Friend with the Remarkable Story and his wife who participated in the Monroe Worship Group, RantWoman and.... and only RantWoman was present.
So,when the Friend with the Remarkable Story introduced himself during announcements, RantWoman felt called to rise also. Despite pleas from parents of squirming children for brevity in announcements, RantWoman spoke of the Monroe Worship Group, of how LOTS of Quakers are involved with Alternatives to violence in prisons, but the Monroe Worship Group is unique in terms of inmates getting out and continuing to worship among friends. RantWoman also specifically said she is glad to have the Friend with the Remarkable Story and Mrs. ... Remarkable Story worshipping among us. Neither the Friend with the remarkable Story nor RantWoman have so far felt called to say more of what RantWoman knows there is to say. Thinking more about that problem a day or two later, RantWoman was led to ...the search engine of her choice, and to some links to follow from what turned up!
Understand, in the world of RantWoman and e-torrents, if it's all over the internet, sooner or later either someone else in Meeting is going to notice or someone is going to turn up and ask. Either way, let's hope it's God, not just RantWoman trying to mix PR and centered community discernment.
The nub of the matter, if a set of topics which evoke a whole range of thoughts in RantWoman and about which many in RantWoman's Meeting have so far had no or very little occasion even to think about can be called a nub:
RantWoman never has trouble holding couples living through great challenges in the light!
Sex Offender Registration with various informational links.
http://www.icrimewatch.net/offenderdetails.php?OfndrID=1425116&AgencyID=54473
A bit from the local Fox news affiliate. Rantwoman cannot locate any content except the picture but thinks there musht be some.
http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-daniel-pens-level-3-sex-offender-living-in-ballard-20111020,0,3373116.photo
A blog entry with a range of comments ranging from, to RantWoman's ear, vehement ranting to sensible thought.
http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11650
An important appellate case about treatment programs that encourage offenders to acknowledge offenses they cannot be prosecuted for and whether or not those admissions can be cited as aggravating factors in sentencing.
http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/902/1464/164758/
An OLD Letter to the Editor of The Stranger, a local newswekly whose stylebook most assuredly does not eschew the F word and which regularly curls the hair of many readers:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/letters-to-the-editor/Content?oid=6497
The original article about Tamara Menteer and the Whitestone Foundation:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/the-rape-revisionist/Content?oid=6343
A book review:
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/99_displayNews.aspx
and as previously mentioned:
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/Default.aspx
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Eid el-Adha / Kurban Bairam 2011
The headine "80,000 Muslims pray on the streets of Moscow" caught RantWoman's eye. The visuals and the text about need for more mosques also caught RantWoman's eye. Without further comment:
http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/80-000-Muslims-pray-on-the-street-in-Moscow-2254975.php
http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/80-000-Muslims-pray-on-the-street-in-Moscow-2254975.php
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Quakers and Sex Offenders
RantWoman's Meeting has a lovely library. As previously posted, RantWoman is unclear whether material there about sex offenders is useful and current. That is a whole conversation in its own right. In the interest of RANTWOMAN being in a position to speak from topical Light, more items for the blog as file cabinet, with the proviso that one should also check the search engine of one's choice for newer material
RantWoman would like to have more of a separate info stream, beyond the items RantWoman has been collecting, about matters specifically to do with survivors. Stay tuned.
In the meantime:
Nice 2003 item from Quaker Life, FUM
http://www.fum.org/QL/issues/0306/responses_abuse.htm
Sex offenders are people too from Friends Journal
http://www.friendsjournal.org/sex-offenders-are-people-too
FGC library about Rochester MN MM
http://www.fgcquaker.org/library/fosteringmeetings/0305.htm l
http://www.quaker.org/sexuality/Readings.htm
http://thefriend.co.uk/articledisplay.asp?articleid=1540
Tim Newell on Circles of Support and Accountability, also a PDF to download from a Swarthmore Lecture.
http://www.quakersintheworld.org/quakers-in-action/88
RantWoman would like to have more of a separate info stream, beyond the items RantWoman has been collecting, about matters specifically to do with survivors. Stay tuned.
In the meantime:
Nice 2003 item from Quaker Life, FUM
http://www.fum.org/QL/issues/0306/responses_abuse.htm
Sex offenders are people too from Friends Journal
http://www.friendsjournal.org/sex-offenders-are-people-too
FGC library about Rochester MN MM
http://www.fgcquaker.org/library/fosteringmeetings/0305.htm l
http://www.quaker.org/sexuality/Readings.htm
http://thefriend.co.uk/articledisplay.asp?articleid=1540
Tim Newell on Circles of Support and Accountability, also a PDF to download from a Swarthmore Lecture.
http://www.quakersintheworld.org/quakers-in-action/88
Search Engines, Sex Offenders, Congregations
RantWoman has truly ODD taste in after hours reading. Tonight RantWoman has been led to see what the internet is serving up about religious congregations and sex offenders.
"But RantWoman," someone will say, "Quakers are DIFFERENT." RantWoman really does not care. The point is that LOTS of congregations deal with sex offenders. Does our Meeting have anything to learn from others' experience? Who knows, but RantWoman is not ashamed to consider the question.
The Unitarian Universalists: a couple different situations and articulation of some general points about each situation being unique. Also, lots of links.
http://www.uua.org/safe/children/23531.shtml
Another great checklist:
http://www.churchstuff.com/sexuality/pcmso.aspx
Really interesting Christianity Today article about practices at different churches, also Circles of Support and Accountability
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/september/21.49.html
last page of article above with multiple links
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/september/21.49.html?start=7
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/september/21.49.html?start=7
A 2007 item from Good Morning America about a UCC congregation. The audio starts automatically which I found annoying. The reporter is kind of gushy. The pastor talks about Safe Church practices.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3144748&page=1
The United Methodists:
http://umsexualethics.org/LocalChurches/SexOffenders.aspx
Faith Trust Institute:
http://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/news/sex-offenders-in-congregations
Really frank about sex offenders already among congregations and about congregations as part of accountability system.
http://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/blog/marie-fortune/8
Part 2 of the above: don't forgive us so quickly
http://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/blog/marie-fortune/9
ELCA page with multiple PDF's
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Secretary/Congregation-Administration/Legal-Issues-for-Congregations/Questions-About-Protecting-Children-and-Adults-from-Abuse/How-should-our-congregation-respond-to-the-sex-offender.aspx
The ELCA page:
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Secretary/Congregation-Administration/Legal-Issues-for-Congregations/Questions-About-Protecting-Children-and-Adults-from-Abuse/Sexual-Misconduct-Policy-and-Resource.aspx
Something from Agape Resources
http://www.agaperesourceministry.org/Is%20Your%20Congregation%20Ready%20for%20a%20Sex%20Offender.pdf
http://www.stopbaptistpredators.org/article07/sex_abuse_in_churches_preventable.html
The google search string:
https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=crnk_totw&cp=25&gs_id=2d&xhr=t&q=sex+offender+congregation&tok=JhayOqBVLoh00mSCGds4cg&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=sex+offender+congregation&aq=0v&aqi=g-v1&aql=f&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=bdf357a7f2cc5c4d&biw=1680&bih=786
"But RantWoman," someone will say, "Quakers are DIFFERENT." RantWoman really does not care. The point is that LOTS of congregations deal with sex offenders. Does our Meeting have anything to learn from others' experience? Who knows, but RantWoman is not ashamed to consider the question.
The Unitarian Universalists: a couple different situations and articulation of some general points about each situation being unique. Also, lots of links.
http://www.uua.org/safe/children/23531.shtml
Another great checklist:
http://www.churchstuff.com/sexuality/pcmso.aspx
Really interesting Christianity Today article about practices at different churches, also Circles of Support and Accountability
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/september/21.49.html
last page of article above with multiple links
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/september/21.49.html?start=7
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/september/21.49.html?start=7
A 2007 item from Good Morning America about a UCC congregation. The audio starts automatically which I found annoying. The reporter is kind of gushy. The pastor talks about Safe Church practices.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3144748&page=1
The United Methodists:
http://umsexualethics.org/LocalChurches/SexOffenders.aspx
Faith Trust Institute:
http://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/news/sex-offenders-in-congregations
Really frank about sex offenders already among congregations and about congregations as part of accountability system.
http://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/blog/marie-fortune/8
Part 2 of the above: don't forgive us so quickly
http://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/blog/marie-fortune/9
ELCA page with multiple PDF's
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Secretary/Congregation-Administration/Legal-Issues-for-Congregations/Questions-About-Protecting-Children-and-Adults-from-Abuse/How-should-our-congregation-respond-to-the-sex-offender.aspx
The ELCA page:
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Secretary/Congregation-Administration/Legal-Issues-for-Congregations/Questions-About-Protecting-Children-and-Adults-from-Abuse/Sexual-Misconduct-Policy-and-Resource.aspx
Something from Agape Resources
http://www.agaperesourceministry.org/Is%20Your%20Congregation%20Ready%20for%20a%20Sex%20Offender.pdf
http://www.stopbaptistpredators.org/article07/sex_abuse_in_churches_preventable.html
The google search string:
https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=crnk_totw&cp=25&gs_id=2d&xhr=t&q=sex+offender+congregation&tok=JhayOqBVLoh00mSCGds4cg&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=sex+offender+congregation&aq=0v&aqi=g-v1&aql=f&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=bdf357a7f2cc5c4d&biw=1680&bih=786
Monday, November 7, 2011
Who is Steve Jobs to You
RantWoman is meditating about her call to post this in her blog both in terms of how much the blogosphere needs more reflections about Steve Jobs and the circumstances behind this item coming to RantWoman.
This item arrived via email from Sentimental Classmate. Sentimental Classmate was one of the handful of classmates who appeared in photos on every section divider in the high school annual. RantWoman thinks she and Sentimental Classmate were in Calculus together but seating was alphabetical and our last names are far enough apart we interacted little, or more correctly barely talked in high school. This classmate, like RantWoman moved far away from high school. Unlike RantWoman, Sentimental Classmate has not been back at all; Sentimental Classmate also has a life path pretty different from RantWoman's. However, in connection with a major year reunion neither of us attended, Sentimental classmate asssembled an email list and most of the time RantWoman is finding herself surprisingly grateful for what arrives via the list.
A Sister’s Eulogy for Steve JobsBy MONA SIMPSON
I grew up as an only child, with a single mother. Because we were poor and because I knew my father had emigrated from Syria, I imagined he looked like Omar Sharif. I hoped he would be rich and kind and would come into our lives (and our not yet furnished apartment) and help us. Later, after I’d met my father, I tried to believe he’d changed his number and left no forwarding address because he was an idealistic revolutionary, plotting a new world for the Arab people.
Even as a feminist, my whole life I’d been waiting for a man to love, who could love me. For decades, I’d thought that man would be my father. When I was 25, I met that man and he was my brother.
By then, I lived in New York, where I was trying to write my first novel. I had a job at a small magazine in an office the size of a closet, with three other aspiring writers. When one day a lawyer called me — me, the middle-class girl from California who hassled the boss to buy us health insurance — and said his client was rich and famous and was my long-lost brother, the young editors went wild. This was 1985 and we worked at a cutting-edge literary magazine, but I’d fallen into the plot of a Dickens novel and really, we all loved those best. The lawyer refused to tell me my brother’s name and my colleagues started a betting pool. The leading candidate: John Travolta. I secretly hoped for a literary descendant of Henry James — someone more talented than I, someone brilliant without even trying.
When I met Steve, he was a guy my age in jeans, Arab- or Jewish-looking and handsomer than Omar Sharif. We took a long walk — something, it happened, that we both liked to do. I don’t remember much of what we said that first day, only that he felt like someone I’d pick to be a friend. He explained that he worked in computers.
I didn’t know much about computers. I still worked on a manual Olivetti typewriter.
I told Steve I’d recently considered my first purchase of a computer: something called the Cromemco. Steve told me it was a good thing I’d waited. He said he was making something that was going to be insanely beautiful.
I want to tell you a few things I learned from Steve, during three distinct periods, over the 27 years I knew him. They’re not periods of years, but of states of being. His full life. His illness. His dying.
Steve worked at what he loved. He worked really hard. Every day.
That’s incredibly simple, but true. He was the opposite of absent-minded. He was never embarrassed about working hard, even if the results were failures. If someone as smart as Steve wasn’t ashamed to admit trying, maybe I didn’t have to be.
When he got kicked out of Apple, things were painful. He told me about a dinner at which 500 Silicon Valley leaders met the then-sitting president. Steve hadn’t been invited. He was hurt but he still went to work at Next. Every single day.
Novelty was not Steve’s highest value. Beauty was.
For an innovator, Steve was remarkably loyal. If he loved a shirt, he’d order 10 or 100 of them. In the Palo Alto house, there are probably enough black cotton turtlenecks for everyone in this church. He didn’t favor trends or gimmicks. He liked people his own age.
His philosophy of aesthetics reminds me of a quote that went something like this: “Fashion is what seems beautiful now but looks ugly later; art can be ugly at first but it becomes beautiful later.”
Steve always aspired to make beautiful later.
He was willing to be misunderstood. Uninvited to the ball, he drove the third or fourth iteration of his same black sports car to Next, where he and his team were quietly inventing the platform on which Tim Berners-Lee would write the program for the World Wide Web.
Steve was like a girl in the amount of time he spent talking about love. Love was his supreme virtue, his god of gods. He tracked and worried about the romantic lives of the people working with him.
Whenever he saw a man he thought a woman might find dashing, he called out, “Hey are you single? Do you wanna come to dinner with my sister?”
I remember when he phoned the day he met Laurene. “There’s this beautiful woman and she’s really smart and she has this dog and I’m going to marry her.”
When Reed was born, he began gushing and never stopped. He was a physical dad, with each of his children. He fretted over Lisa’s boyfriends and Erin’s travel and skirt lengths and Eve’s safety around the horses she adored.
None of us who attended Reed’s graduation party will ever forget the scene of Reed and Steve slow dancing. His abiding love for Laurene sustained him. He believed that love happened all the time, everywhere. In that most important way, Steve was never ironic, never cynical, never pessimistic. I try to learn from that, still.
Steve had been successful at a young age, and he felt that had isolated him. Most of the choices he made from the time I knew him were designed to dissolve the walls around him. A middle-class boy from Los Altos, he fell in love with a middle-class girl from New Jersey. It was important to both of them to raise Lisa, Reed, Erin and Eve as grounded, normal children. Their house didn’t intimidate with art or polish; in fact, for many of the first years I knew Steve and Lo together, dinner was served on the grass, and sometimes consisted of just one vegetable. Lots of that one vegetable. But one. Broccoli. In season. Simply prepared. With just the right, recently snipped, herb.
Even as a young millionaire, Steve always picked me up at the airport. He’d be standing there in his jeans. When a family member called him at work, his secretary Linetta answered, “Your dad’s in a meeting. Would you like me to interrupt him?”
When Reed insisted on dressing up as a witch every Halloween, Steve, Laurene, Erin and Eve all went wiccan.
They once embarked on a kitchen remodel; it took years. They cooked on a hotplate in the garage. The Pixar building, under construction during the same period, finished in half the time. And that was it for the Palo Alto house. The bathrooms stayed old. But — and this was a crucial distinction — it had been a great house to start with; Steve saw to that.
This is not to say that he didn’t enjoy his success: he enjoyed his success a lot, just minus a few zeros. He told me how much he loved going to the Palo Alto bike store and gleefully realizing he could afford to buy the best bike there. And he did.
Steve was humble. Steve liked to keep learning.
Once, he told me if he’d grown up differently, he might have become a mathematician. He spoke reverently about colleges and loved walking around the Stanford campus. In the last year of his life, he studied a book of paintings by Mark Rothko, an artist he hadn’t known about before, thinking of what could inspire people on the walls of a future Apple campus.
Steve cultivated whimsy. What other C.E.O. knows the history of English and Chinese tea roses and has a favorite David Austin rose?
He had surprises tucked in all his pockets. I’ll venture that Laurene will discover treats — songs he loved, a poem he cut out and put in a drawer — even after 20 years of an exceptionally close marriage. I spoke to him every other day or so, but when I opened The New York Times and saw a feature on the company’s patents, I was still surprised and delighted to see a sketch for a perfect staircase.
With his four children, with his wife, with all of us, Steve had a lot of fun.
He treasured happiness.
Then, Steve became ill and we watched his life compress into a smaller circle. Once, he’d loved walking through Paris. He’d discovered a small handmade soba shop in Kyoto. He downhill skied gracefully. He cross-country skied clumsily. No more.
Eventually, even ordinary pleasures, like a good peach, no longer appealed to him. Yet, what amazed me, and what I learned from his illness, was how much was still left after so much had been taken away.
I remember my brother learning to walk again, with a chair. After his liver transplant, once a day he would get up on legs that seemed too thin to bear him, arms pitched to the chair back. He’d push that chair down the Memphis hospital corridor towards the nursing station and then he’d sit down on the chair, rest, turn around and walk back again. He counted his steps and, each day, pressed a little farther.
Laurene got down on her knees and looked into his eyes.
“You can do this, Steve,” she said. His eyes widened. His lips pressed into each other.
He tried. He always, always tried, and always with love at the core of that effort. He was an intensely emotional man.
I realized during that terrifying time that Steve was not enduring the pain for himself. He set destinations: his son Reed’s graduation from high school, his daughter Erin’s trip to Kyoto, the launching of a boat he was building on which he planned to take his family around the world and where he hoped he and Laurene would someday retire.
Even ill, his taste, his discrimination and his judgment held. He went through 67 nurses before finding kindred spirits and then he completely trusted the three who stayed with him to the end. Tracy. Arturo. Elham.
One time when Steve had contracted a tenacious pneumonia his doctor forbid everything — even ice. We were in a standard I.C.U. unit. Steve, who generally disliked cutting in line or dropping his own name, confessed that this once, he’d like to be treated a little specially.
I told him: Steve, this is special treatment.
He leaned over to me, and said: “I want it to be a little more special.”
Intubated, when he couldn’t talk, he asked for a notepad. He sketched devices to hold an iPad in a hospital bed. He designed new fluid monitors and x-ray equipment. He redrew that not-quite-special-enough hospital unit. And every time his wife walked into the room, I watched his smile remake itself on his face.
For the really big, big things, you have to trust me, he wrote on his sketchpad. He looked up. You have to.
By that, he meant that we should disobey the doctors and give him a piece of ice.
None of us knows for certain how long we’ll be here. On Steve’s better days, even in the last year, he embarked upon projects and elicited promises from his friends at Apple to finish them. Some boat builders in the Netherlands have a gorgeous stainless steel hull ready to be covered with the finishing wood. His three daughters remain unmarried, his two youngest still girls, and he’d wanted to walk them down the aisle as he’d walked me the day of my wedding.
We all — in the end — die in medias res. In the middle of a story. Of many stories.
I suppose it’s not quite accurate to call the death of someone who lived with cancer for years unexpected, but Steve’s death was unexpected for us. What I learned from my brother’s death was that character is essential: What he was, was how he died.
Tuesday morning, he called me to ask me to hurry up to Palo Alto. His tone was affectionate, dear, loving, but like someone whose luggage was already strapped onto the vehicle, who was already on the beginning of his journey, even as he was sorry, truly deeply sorry, to be leaving us.
He started his farewell and I stopped him. I said, “Wait. I’m coming. I’m in a taxi to the airport. I’ll be there.”
“I’m telling you now because I’m afraid you won’t make it on time, honey.”
When I arrived, he and his Laurene were joking together like partners who’d lived and worked together every day of their lives. He looked into his children’s eyes as if he couldn’t unlock his gaze.
Until about 2 in the afternoon, his wife could rouse him, to talk to his friends from Apple.
Then, after awhile, it was clear that he would no longer wake to us. His breathing changed. It became severe, deliberate, purposeful. I could feel him counting his steps again, pushing farther than before.
This is what I learned: he was working at this, too. Death didn’t happen to Steve, he achieved it. He told me, when he was saying goodbye and telling me he was sorry, so sorry we wouldn’t be able to be old together as we’d always planned, that he was going to a better place.
Dr. Fischer gave him a 50/50 chance of making it through the night.
He made it through the night, Laurene next to him on the bed sometimes jerked up when there was a longer pause between his breaths. She and I looked at each other, then he would heave a deep breath and begin again.
This had to be done. Even now, he had a stern, still handsome profile, the profile of an absolutist, a romantic. His breath indicated an arduous journey, some steep path, altitude. He seemed to be climbing.
But with that will, that work ethic, that strength, there was also sweet Steve’s capacity for wonderment, the artist’s belief in the ideal, the still more beautiful later.
Steve’s final words, hours earlier, were monosyllables, repeated three times. Before embarking, he’d looked at his sister Patty, then for a long time at his children, then at his life’s partner, Laurene, and then over their shoulders past them. Steve’s final words were: OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW.
Mona Simpson is a novelist and a professor of English at the University of California, Los Angeles. She delivered this eulogy for her brother, Steve Jobs, on Oct. 16 at his memorial service at the Memorial Church of Stanford University.
This item arrived via email from Sentimental Classmate. Sentimental Classmate was one of the handful of classmates who appeared in photos on every section divider in the high school annual. RantWoman thinks she and Sentimental Classmate were in Calculus together but seating was alphabetical and our last names are far enough apart we interacted little, or more correctly barely talked in high school. This classmate, like RantWoman moved far away from high school. Unlike RantWoman, Sentimental Classmate has not been back at all; Sentimental Classmate also has a life path pretty different from RantWoman's. However, in connection with a major year reunion neither of us attended, Sentimental classmate asssembled an email list and most of the time RantWoman is finding herself surprisingly grateful for what arrives via the list.
A Sister’s Eulogy for Steve JobsBy MONA SIMPSON
I grew up as an only child, with a single mother. Because we were poor and because I knew my father had emigrated from Syria, I imagined he looked like Omar Sharif. I hoped he would be rich and kind and would come into our lives (and our not yet furnished apartment) and help us. Later, after I’d met my father, I tried to believe he’d changed his number and left no forwarding address because he was an idealistic revolutionary, plotting a new world for the Arab people.
Even as a feminist, my whole life I’d been waiting for a man to love, who could love me. For decades, I’d thought that man would be my father. When I was 25, I met that man and he was my brother.
By then, I lived in New York, where I was trying to write my first novel. I had a job at a small magazine in an office the size of a closet, with three other aspiring writers. When one day a lawyer called me — me, the middle-class girl from California who hassled the boss to buy us health insurance — and said his client was rich and famous and was my long-lost brother, the young editors went wild. This was 1985 and we worked at a cutting-edge literary magazine, but I’d fallen into the plot of a Dickens novel and really, we all loved those best. The lawyer refused to tell me my brother’s name and my colleagues started a betting pool. The leading candidate: John Travolta. I secretly hoped for a literary descendant of Henry James — someone more talented than I, someone brilliant without even trying.
When I met Steve, he was a guy my age in jeans, Arab- or Jewish-looking and handsomer than Omar Sharif. We took a long walk — something, it happened, that we both liked to do. I don’t remember much of what we said that first day, only that he felt like someone I’d pick to be a friend. He explained that he worked in computers.
I didn’t know much about computers. I still worked on a manual Olivetti typewriter.
I told Steve I’d recently considered my first purchase of a computer: something called the Cromemco. Steve told me it was a good thing I’d waited. He said he was making something that was going to be insanely beautiful.
I want to tell you a few things I learned from Steve, during three distinct periods, over the 27 years I knew him. They’re not periods of years, but of states of being. His full life. His illness. His dying.
Steve worked at what he loved. He worked really hard. Every day.
That’s incredibly simple, but true. He was the opposite of absent-minded. He was never embarrassed about working hard, even if the results were failures. If someone as smart as Steve wasn’t ashamed to admit trying, maybe I didn’t have to be.
When he got kicked out of Apple, things were painful. He told me about a dinner at which 500 Silicon Valley leaders met the then-sitting president. Steve hadn’t been invited. He was hurt but he still went to work at Next. Every single day.
Novelty was not Steve’s highest value. Beauty was.
For an innovator, Steve was remarkably loyal. If he loved a shirt, he’d order 10 or 100 of them. In the Palo Alto house, there are probably enough black cotton turtlenecks for everyone in this church. He didn’t favor trends or gimmicks. He liked people his own age.
His philosophy of aesthetics reminds me of a quote that went something like this: “Fashion is what seems beautiful now but looks ugly later; art can be ugly at first but it becomes beautiful later.”
Steve always aspired to make beautiful later.
He was willing to be misunderstood. Uninvited to the ball, he drove the third or fourth iteration of his same black sports car to Next, where he and his team were quietly inventing the platform on which Tim Berners-Lee would write the program for the World Wide Web.
Steve was like a girl in the amount of time he spent talking about love. Love was his supreme virtue, his god of gods. He tracked and worried about the romantic lives of the people working with him.
Whenever he saw a man he thought a woman might find dashing, he called out, “Hey are you single? Do you wanna come to dinner with my sister?”
I remember when he phoned the day he met Laurene. “There’s this beautiful woman and she’s really smart and she has this dog and I’m going to marry her.”
When Reed was born, he began gushing and never stopped. He was a physical dad, with each of his children. He fretted over Lisa’s boyfriends and Erin’s travel and skirt lengths and Eve’s safety around the horses she adored.
None of us who attended Reed’s graduation party will ever forget the scene of Reed and Steve slow dancing. His abiding love for Laurene sustained him. He believed that love happened all the time, everywhere. In that most important way, Steve was never ironic, never cynical, never pessimistic. I try to learn from that, still.
Steve had been successful at a young age, and he felt that had isolated him. Most of the choices he made from the time I knew him were designed to dissolve the walls around him. A middle-class boy from Los Altos, he fell in love with a middle-class girl from New Jersey. It was important to both of them to raise Lisa, Reed, Erin and Eve as grounded, normal children. Their house didn’t intimidate with art or polish; in fact, for many of the first years I knew Steve and Lo together, dinner was served on the grass, and sometimes consisted of just one vegetable. Lots of that one vegetable. But one. Broccoli. In season. Simply prepared. With just the right, recently snipped, herb.
Even as a young millionaire, Steve always picked me up at the airport. He’d be standing there in his jeans. When a family member called him at work, his secretary Linetta answered, “Your dad’s in a meeting. Would you like me to interrupt him?”
When Reed insisted on dressing up as a witch every Halloween, Steve, Laurene, Erin and Eve all went wiccan.
They once embarked on a kitchen remodel; it took years. They cooked on a hotplate in the garage. The Pixar building, under construction during the same period, finished in half the time. And that was it for the Palo Alto house. The bathrooms stayed old. But — and this was a crucial distinction — it had been a great house to start with; Steve saw to that.
This is not to say that he didn’t enjoy his success: he enjoyed his success a lot, just minus a few zeros. He told me how much he loved going to the Palo Alto bike store and gleefully realizing he could afford to buy the best bike there. And he did.
Steve was humble. Steve liked to keep learning.
Once, he told me if he’d grown up differently, he might have become a mathematician. He spoke reverently about colleges and loved walking around the Stanford campus. In the last year of his life, he studied a book of paintings by Mark Rothko, an artist he hadn’t known about before, thinking of what could inspire people on the walls of a future Apple campus.
Steve cultivated whimsy. What other C.E.O. knows the history of English and Chinese tea roses and has a favorite David Austin rose?
He had surprises tucked in all his pockets. I’ll venture that Laurene will discover treats — songs he loved, a poem he cut out and put in a drawer — even after 20 years of an exceptionally close marriage. I spoke to him every other day or so, but when I opened The New York Times and saw a feature on the company’s patents, I was still surprised and delighted to see a sketch for a perfect staircase.
With his four children, with his wife, with all of us, Steve had a lot of fun.
He treasured happiness.
Then, Steve became ill and we watched his life compress into a smaller circle. Once, he’d loved walking through Paris. He’d discovered a small handmade soba shop in Kyoto. He downhill skied gracefully. He cross-country skied clumsily. No more.
Eventually, even ordinary pleasures, like a good peach, no longer appealed to him. Yet, what amazed me, and what I learned from his illness, was how much was still left after so much had been taken away.
I remember my brother learning to walk again, with a chair. After his liver transplant, once a day he would get up on legs that seemed too thin to bear him, arms pitched to the chair back. He’d push that chair down the Memphis hospital corridor towards the nursing station and then he’d sit down on the chair, rest, turn around and walk back again. He counted his steps and, each day, pressed a little farther.
Laurene got down on her knees and looked into his eyes.
“You can do this, Steve,” she said. His eyes widened. His lips pressed into each other.
He tried. He always, always tried, and always with love at the core of that effort. He was an intensely emotional man.
I realized during that terrifying time that Steve was not enduring the pain for himself. He set destinations: his son Reed’s graduation from high school, his daughter Erin’s trip to Kyoto, the launching of a boat he was building on which he planned to take his family around the world and where he hoped he and Laurene would someday retire.
Even ill, his taste, his discrimination and his judgment held. He went through 67 nurses before finding kindred spirits and then he completely trusted the three who stayed with him to the end. Tracy. Arturo. Elham.
One time when Steve had contracted a tenacious pneumonia his doctor forbid everything — even ice. We were in a standard I.C.U. unit. Steve, who generally disliked cutting in line or dropping his own name, confessed that this once, he’d like to be treated a little specially.
I told him: Steve, this is special treatment.
He leaned over to me, and said: “I want it to be a little more special.”
Intubated, when he couldn’t talk, he asked for a notepad. He sketched devices to hold an iPad in a hospital bed. He designed new fluid monitors and x-ray equipment. He redrew that not-quite-special-enough hospital unit. And every time his wife walked into the room, I watched his smile remake itself on his face.
For the really big, big things, you have to trust me, he wrote on his sketchpad. He looked up. You have to.
By that, he meant that we should disobey the doctors and give him a piece of ice.
None of us knows for certain how long we’ll be here. On Steve’s better days, even in the last year, he embarked upon projects and elicited promises from his friends at Apple to finish them. Some boat builders in the Netherlands have a gorgeous stainless steel hull ready to be covered with the finishing wood. His three daughters remain unmarried, his two youngest still girls, and he’d wanted to walk them down the aisle as he’d walked me the day of my wedding.
We all — in the end — die in medias res. In the middle of a story. Of many stories.
I suppose it’s not quite accurate to call the death of someone who lived with cancer for years unexpected, but Steve’s death was unexpected for us. What I learned from my brother’s death was that character is essential: What he was, was how he died.
Tuesday morning, he called me to ask me to hurry up to Palo Alto. His tone was affectionate, dear, loving, but like someone whose luggage was already strapped onto the vehicle, who was already on the beginning of his journey, even as he was sorry, truly deeply sorry, to be leaving us.
He started his farewell and I stopped him. I said, “Wait. I’m coming. I’m in a taxi to the airport. I’ll be there.”
“I’m telling you now because I’m afraid you won’t make it on time, honey.”
When I arrived, he and his Laurene were joking together like partners who’d lived and worked together every day of their lives. He looked into his children’s eyes as if he couldn’t unlock his gaze.
Until about 2 in the afternoon, his wife could rouse him, to talk to his friends from Apple.
Then, after awhile, it was clear that he would no longer wake to us. His breathing changed. It became severe, deliberate, purposeful. I could feel him counting his steps again, pushing farther than before.
This is what I learned: he was working at this, too. Death didn’t happen to Steve, he achieved it. He told me, when he was saying goodbye and telling me he was sorry, so sorry we wouldn’t be able to be old together as we’d always planned, that he was going to a better place.
Dr. Fischer gave him a 50/50 chance of making it through the night.
He made it through the night, Laurene next to him on the bed sometimes jerked up when there was a longer pause between his breaths. She and I looked at each other, then he would heave a deep breath and begin again.
This had to be done. Even now, he had a stern, still handsome profile, the profile of an absolutist, a romantic. His breath indicated an arduous journey, some steep path, altitude. He seemed to be climbing.
But with that will, that work ethic, that strength, there was also sweet Steve’s capacity for wonderment, the artist’s belief in the ideal, the still more beautiful later.
Steve’s final words, hours earlier, were monosyllables, repeated three times. Before embarking, he’d looked at his sister Patty, then for a long time at his children, then at his life’s partner, Laurene, and then over their shoulders past them. Steve’s final words were: OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW.
Mona Simpson is a novelist and a professor of English at the University of California, Los Angeles. She delivered this eulogy for her brother, Steve Jobs, on Oct. 16 at his memorial service at the Memorial Church of Stanford University.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Way of the Spirit Discernment
RantWoman has no idea whether she has readers who might be interested and are not already on a mailing list to receive this. RantWoman is also mostly self-taught about many points of using HTML that comes out of email. RantWoman does actually know how to make links that look like text humans would want to read instead of raggedy url's but RantWoman is not always patient enough to do this.
The main point: RantWoman HIGHLY recommends the following item and RantWoman is looking for way to open to participate herself!
Way of the Spirit, Module One: Discernment, January 12-15, 2012
[1]View this email online instead
[2]Way of the Spirit: Module One Discernment
Links:
1. http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=1af0ef3a0d956f5082f3005c1&id=4d9fd9cb7d&e=dc9e7201e0
2. http://goodnewsassoc.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=1af0ef3a0d956f5082f3005c1&id=ba5306546f&e=dc9e7201e0
_Way of the Spirit_ begins
For people in leadership or service roles within and beyond faith
communities — clerks, pastors, elders, counselors, educators, social
activists, and others following their leadings—_Way of the Spirit_ builds
practical tools for faithfulness.
* Distinguish God’s inward guidance
* Strengthen understanding of discernment in scripture, and in Christian
and Quaker heritage
* Integrate content with contemplation, prayerful dialog & shared worship
* Face challenges in discernment
* Follow up the retreat with an online reflection group
The January module begins a year-long _Way of the Spirit_retreat series
continuing in April and September. Register for the January module as a
trial, or sign up for the entire series. More information: curriculum
overview, articles and "Is this for you?" _[3]Online Here_.
Links:
3. http://goodnewsassoc.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1af0ef3a0d956f5082f3005c1&id=e83917a31b&e=dc9e7201e0
January staff:
_Christine Betz Hall, _Way of the Spirit Coordinator and Facilitator, Good
News Associate
_Margery Post Abbott_, Speaker, Author of _To be Broken and Tender: a Quaker
Theology for Today_ Other guest speakers to be announced
Details
* Thursday 1/12, dinner at 5:30, through Sunday 1/15 lunch
* At Seabeck Retreat Center on Hood Canal, 1.5 hours from Seattle
* Small cohort of 8-12 people aligned with the Way of the Spirit vision:
Unprogrammed and Evangelical Quakers, members of diverse faith
communities and unaffiliated seekers
* Approximately 10 hours of readings before the retreat
Fees
* January module includes three nights lodging, meals & tuition
* 10% registration discount through December 11th
* $350 for Module One trial, $2,250 for year-long program
* + 10% after 12/11 ($385/$2475)
* [4]More fee information
Links:
4. http://goodnewsassoc.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1af0ef3a0d956f5082f3005c1&id=f080412836&e=dc9e7201e0
_Christine Hall, Way of the Spirit_
You received this message because you expressed interest in a program like School of the Spirit Ministry.
_Our mailing address is:_
Christine Hall, Way of the Spirit
7351 Barred Owl Way
Clinton, WA 98236
Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp
http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?aid=1af0ef3a0d956f5082f3005c1&afl=1
The main point: RantWoman HIGHLY recommends the following item and RantWoman is looking for way to open to participate herself!
Way of the Spirit, Module One: Discernment, January 12-15, 2012
[1]View this email online instead
[2]Way of the Spirit: Module One Discernment
Links:
1. http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=1af0ef3a0d956f5082f3005c1&id=4d9fd9cb7d&e=dc9e7201e0
2. http://goodnewsassoc.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=1af0ef3a0d956f5082f3005c1&id=ba5306546f&e=dc9e7201e0
_Way of the Spirit_ begins
For people in leadership or service roles within and beyond faith
communities — clerks, pastors, elders, counselors, educators, social
activists, and others following their leadings—_Way of the Spirit_ builds
practical tools for faithfulness.
* Distinguish God’s inward guidance
* Strengthen understanding of discernment in scripture, and in Christian
and Quaker heritage
* Integrate content with contemplation, prayerful dialog & shared worship
* Face challenges in discernment
* Follow up the retreat with an online reflection group
The January module begins a year-long _Way of the Spirit_retreat series
continuing in April and September. Register for the January module as a
trial, or sign up for the entire series. More information: curriculum
overview, articles and "Is this for you?" _[3]Online Here_.
Links:
3. http://goodnewsassoc.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1af0ef3a0d956f5082f3005c1&id=e83917a31b&e=dc9e7201e0
January staff:
_Christine Betz Hall, _Way of the Spirit Coordinator and Facilitator, Good
News Associate
_Margery Post Abbott_, Speaker, Author of _To be Broken and Tender: a Quaker
Theology for Today_ Other guest speakers to be announced
Details
* Thursday 1/12, dinner at 5:30, through Sunday 1/15 lunch
* At Seabeck Retreat Center on Hood Canal, 1.5 hours from Seattle
* Small cohort of 8-12 people aligned with the Way of the Spirit vision:
Unprogrammed and Evangelical Quakers, members of diverse faith
communities and unaffiliated seekers
* Approximately 10 hours of readings before the retreat
Fees
* January module includes three nights lodging, meals & tuition
* 10% registration discount through December 11th
* $350 for Module One trial, $2,250 for year-long program
* + 10% after 12/11 ($385/$2475)
* [4]More fee information
Links:
4. http://goodnewsassoc.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1af0ef3a0d956f5082f3005c1&id=f080412836&e=dc9e7201e0
_Christine Hall, Way of the Spirit_
You received this message because you expressed interest in a program like School of the Spirit Ministry.
_Our mailing address is:_
Christine Hall, Way of the Spirit
7351 Barred Owl Way
Clinton, WA 98236
Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp
http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?aid=1af0ef3a0d956f5082f3005c1&afl=1
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
University Friends Meeting Fall Retreat November 5 9-4:30
Hi Friends.
RantWoman is back to speaking of herself in the third person. Cope. RantWoman has a sense of many things seasoning. In the meantime, join us for this great retreat!
University Friends Meeting Retreat
November 5, 2011
9 am - 4:30 pm.
Please bring: Potluck dishes to share
Optional reading: “The Spirit Level” by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Picket
Schedule
Time Activity
8:30-9:00am Coffee (Social Hall)
9:00-9:30am Introductions (Meeting Room)
9:30-9:50am Opening meeting for worship (Meeting Room)
9:50-10:40am “10 Chairs” (Meeting Room)
10:45-11:00am Visualizing Equality (Social Hall)
11:00-11:20 am Break-out sessions (Social Hall)
11:20-11:45 am Pre-lunch closing (Social Hall)
12:00-1:00 pm Lunch
1:00-3:30 pm Work party
4:00-4:30 pm Closing meeting for worship (Meeting Room)
Queries:
What kind of society would be consistent with the Quaker belief in equality? In simplicity?
Can you dream of a world of the beloved community where all can thrive?
How am I advantaged/disadvantaged by local, national and global inequality?
How does UFM participate in maintaining or overcoming inequality?
How can we as Quakers practice more sharing instead of materialism and individualism?
How do we genuinely reach out to others in order to foster inclusiveness?
==========
This would not of course be a RantWoman blog entry without RantWoman rants and rambles.
RantWoman is terribly excited to have the tidings here in advance electronically.
RantWoman is terribly grateful to have the schedule. RantWoman will need to leave early. RantWoman does not get much choice about helping the RantFamily celebrate Brother-in-Law's birthday and that is important, unfortunately for RantWoman's sincere wish to uphold Meeting maintenance tasks more important than the work party.
RantWoman even has a beloved electronic gizmo to help her tote around topical materials including this text and the book mentioned. In fact, RantWoman is so happy to have this particular electronic device that RantWoman is going to have to speak to the simplicity inherent in enough materialism to have exactly the right material things for one's purposes even if , for instance, the forces of global marketing probably wish RantWoman would darn well spend more, more, more or, even worse, RantWoman herself might feel called endlessly to whine and moan about inconveniences and frustrations that come with this particular mode of information access. RantWoman perfectly well knows she gets to be grateful to have such problems. So?
RantWoman confesses, the book has tons of citations on the topic and tons of data all pointing the same way. In fact the book has SO many citations all pointing the same way that RantWoman might want either to click on some hyperlinks and read additional bites of the studies cited OR to test some of the items against others' views. RantWoman thinks it darn well is going to be a great retreat regardless of cavils RantWoman might not even get time to deal with anyway!
RantWoman is back to speaking of herself in the third person. Cope. RantWoman has a sense of many things seasoning. In the meantime, join us for this great retreat!
University Friends Meeting Retreat
November 5, 2011
9 am - 4:30 pm.
Please bring: Potluck dishes to share
Optional reading: “The Spirit Level” by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Picket
Schedule
Time Activity
8:30-9:00am Coffee (Social Hall)
9:00-9:30am Introductions (Meeting Room)
9:30-9:50am Opening meeting for worship (Meeting Room)
9:50-10:40am “10 Chairs” (Meeting Room)
10:45-11:00am Visualizing Equality (Social Hall)
11:00-11:20 am Break-out sessions (Social Hall)
11:20-11:45 am Pre-lunch closing (Social Hall)
12:00-1:00 pm Lunch
1:00-3:30 pm Work party
4:00-4:30 pm Closing meeting for worship (Meeting Room)
Queries:
What kind of society would be consistent with the Quaker belief in equality? In simplicity?
Can you dream of a world of the beloved community where all can thrive?
How am I advantaged/disadvantaged by local, national and global inequality?
How does UFM participate in maintaining or overcoming inequality?
How can we as Quakers practice more sharing instead of materialism and individualism?
How do we genuinely reach out to others in order to foster inclusiveness?
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This would not of course be a RantWoman blog entry without RantWoman rants and rambles.
RantWoman is terribly excited to have the tidings here in advance electronically.
RantWoman is terribly grateful to have the schedule. RantWoman will need to leave early. RantWoman does not get much choice about helping the RantFamily celebrate Brother-in-Law's birthday and that is important, unfortunately for RantWoman's sincere wish to uphold Meeting maintenance tasks more important than the work party.
RantWoman even has a beloved electronic gizmo to help her tote around topical materials including this text and the book mentioned. In fact, RantWoman is so happy to have this particular electronic device that RantWoman is going to have to speak to the simplicity inherent in enough materialism to have exactly the right material things for one's purposes even if , for instance, the forces of global marketing probably wish RantWoman would darn well spend more, more, more or, even worse, RantWoman herself might feel called endlessly to whine and moan about inconveniences and frustrations that come with this particular mode of information access. RantWoman perfectly well knows she gets to be grateful to have such problems. So?
RantWoman confesses, the book has tons of citations on the topic and tons of data all pointing the same way. In fact the book has SO many citations all pointing the same way that RantWoman might want either to click on some hyperlinks and read additional bites of the studies cited OR to test some of the items against others' views. RantWoman thinks it darn well is going to be a great retreat regardless of cavils RantWoman might not even get time to deal with anyway!
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