Lenten Reading 2017 - Sundown Towns

This year for my Lenten reading, I am reading social justice books (well, possibly only one, we'll see how it goes.) This is very much in line with my UU heritage. I am starting by finishing Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism by James W. Loewen. I started it, I think, a few years ago and have read it on and off, but quite honestly it is a hard and challenging read because I just don't want to face the racism I've been living with all my life and ignoring. I live in Oregon, which was designed to be all white and even advertised as a "White Paradise." Eugene, where I live now, was a sundown town. It wasn't that long ago that the white cross on a hill that historically marked the town as no blacks allowed was moved off of public property. It is apparently still on private property somewhere.

Pastor's Letter or Enduring Scripture

John Pavlovitz, in an excellent though mostly unrelated post, referred to the writings of Paul as pastoral letters. I am, in general, not a fan of Paul. I think he tends to say things that are overzealous and mean sprited. However, in the context of pastoral letters, his writings take on a whole different meaning. They are written not as permanent instructions, but to fix problems and raise faith in the present time and place. He is at times a great & poetic writer & his writing is worth keeping & studying for the beauty and history. But it is not and was never meant as instructions for how to live our faith outside of that time and those congregations.

Rejoice (Easter Sunday)

Apparently I should have saved this photo for today as I have nothing better.

I had no involvement in the making of the following video, but the family is having so much fun that it goes well with the theme of "rejoice." It is also a very secular celebration of Easter. While a number of Christians have commented on YouTube and elsewhere that they find it offensive, I think that if Jesus were (is) running around today, he'd be all for candy and eggs and fun for everyone.

Happy Zombie Jesus Day Song (2013): http://youtu.be/s8x16883CuU

Transcend

Couldn't decide today.

Rainbow

Rain

Looking in the Water

Surrender

Maybe it's really resignation.

Silence

Sustenance