habitat for humanity

This Week at UCMHE; blog below

Due to finals week, normal activities and gatherings will continue, but be on an informal basis.

Monday: The Peace with Justice intern meeting is rescheduled to Monday morning at 10 am in the Crimson Room.

This week we will host a leadership meeting to set details for the Volunteer mission trip to Gretna (near New Orleans) LA. So far there are ten students from UNO, five from UNL and a few who are on a fishing expedition to go with us. We will be on the bus with folks from a variety of area churches as well.

Responses to Intimate Partner Violence Planning meeting will be Thursday at 10:00 am in SPO.

While this week looks like a slower week schedule wise, it’s not. Call or write for details.



Now the blog:

Saturday was our Second Saturday of Service project. One of our four purposes is to “be useful”. Christians, in our view, should be useful to in our culture. This fall, we’ve adopted Habitat for Humanity as our thing to do. This year, Omaha’s Habitat for Humanity has been busy building seven homes for folks who qualify. Next year, they’re going for fourteen!

Anyhow, twelve of us met up at Caffeine Dreams at 8:30 AM on Saturday (yes, pilgrims, that the morning time). After filling out forms and receiving some excellent liquid refreshment, we had a quick orientation and went on to the headquarters at 22nd and Ames for our assignment, which turned out to be 4421 Himebaugh Avenue. This area of town was new to some of our drivers, so we snaked our way through the streets of O! as a unit.

Our job, according to Mike and Kate, (Americorps supervisors from fabulous Cheboygan, WI) was to help prime and paint the interior of the house, This house, and others, will be dedicated by the end of the year and occupied shortly thereafter. If we could get things painted, electrical switches could be installed, the cabinets could be hung and flooring and carpeting installed in the next two weeks.

We put ourselves to the paint, cleaned our brushes at the halfway point and came back to finish painting the kitchen/living room area. We left the bedrooms to those who would come after us in the afternoon.

Giving ourselves to help others is a practical adult skill. It’s a mature thing to do. And it was fun, too.

Here are some photos for you and comments:

“It was fun—even in the cold! Better than sleeping in!” Declan McElroy
“At the end of today, I know I’ll feel like I really did something worthwhile.” Laura Sectell
“Eggshell is a texture, not a color! And it was amazing.” Jordan Farrell
“I like helping the community” Sarah Pierson

Know Yourself

This Week at UCMHE; blog below

Learning Opportunities

• Monday: noon: Misquoting Jesus—chapter 7 led by Dr. Fred Richart, in the circle area, food court, MBSC

• Wednesday night: 8:30 PM dinner at the Richart’s for conclusion of “Misquoting Jesus” who meets Jon Stewart.

Serving opportunities:

• Sign up now for the volunteer work trip to Gretna (New Orleans) December 30-January 6.

• Saturday am. We meet to work on a Habitat for Humanity house.

Managing the World and Coordinating opportunities:

• Tuesday 1:30 PM I’ll be helping to fold fliers to mail to parents of UNO freshmen. This is a cooperative effort with the Catholic and LCMS campus ministries. About 2 hours.

• Helping plan the set up the Peace Expo for April 15, 2007. We’ll find a great way for groups interested in Peace to meet & greet.

Worship Opportunities:

• We’re getting ready to meet 2nd Semester, Wednesday nights at 8PM on campus. Peer Minister Lori Young and Peace with Justice Intern John Owens are leaders here.

Now the blog:

I’m dedicating myself to revitalizing my spirit and body. So I’m reading the Bible, focusing this time of year on Matthew and Isaiah and other prophets. This is good for my soul.

Physically, I’m swimming in the HPHER pool several times a week. This is OK on my knee joints and it is good thinking time. (However, I have a concern: Why is it when I go into training, I immediately find a way to not think about what I’m doing? Every day I lose track of my laps!)

Last week after my Wednesday swim, I fell into a conversation with two students. One was in ROTC. The other was his buddy. We discussed the role of physical fitness in the regime of the student, and how good it felt to workout. We are doing it for different purposes, though. The one was getting ready for an anticipated stint in Iraq. The other was doing judo to keep fit and alert. It was easy to imagine that because he had his judo kimono all folded up. I don’t remember the color of his belt to tell you his ranking.

Who knows how, but we started talking about legalized gambling in Nebraska. He was for it, and I was against it. His logic was not persuasive (lost money to Iowa, to which I responded about increased costs to society; freedom of choice vs. good of the community; I want to do it because I’m of age vs. it’s time to take a view of what Jesus would do, etc.)

“OK” he said, “How do you feel about it?”

That was a low blow. I was ready with arguments against gambling, but I’d forgotten about how I felt about it. He deserved an answer and I should know where I stand on an issue like this one.

When I was twelve, my grandmother took a $2 bet of mine to the window at AKSARBEN. I lost it all. The pain was great enough so I never went back. True, I wistfully wonder what I would do with the Powerball jackpot, (starting with giving away the first 10%) but I never get in line to lay my money down.

Churches, including our sponsoring denominations, take an official stance against legalized gambling because it destroys society, preys upon the poor, and provides the dream “Hey, I can get something for nothing.” It’s all a lie, and the bulk of the profit goes to the casino owners who are all out of state, or out of the country.

Years ago, a relative of mine came back from Viet Nam duty with a drug and alcohol habit and a budding gambling addiction. He graduated from to the head of the crazed class of bettors, putting up the house payment and shoes for the kids on the NFL. He was helpless—and that was when there was no legal gambling in Iowa.

I said, “I think the whole idea of legalized gambling ticks me off. It is a lie and it destroys society, and that goes against the Jesus I know.”

“Well, you’ve got a point there.”

It was a reminder that having opinions and thoughts rarely convince anyone of anything. Believing what you say, though—that’s a different matter.

--Fred

Compassion and Responsibility

This Week at UCMHE; blog below

Learning Opportunities

Monday: noon: Misquoting Jesus—chapter 6 led by Dr. Fred Richart, in the circle area, food court, MBSC

Tuesday: Noon: The God within—led by Barbara Catterton; Library coffee area
Folding and mailing a flyer to parents of freshman students, 1:30 PM at Pacific Hills Lutheran Church. We need your help.

Wednesday: noon: Community of Faith—led by Liz Polivka; MBSC food court.

Thursday: Nebraska AIDS project, 10am – 2pm. Check UNO enotes for more details

Friday: Planning: Responses to Intimate Partner Violence ( we’ve scheduled Jackson Katz for Februrary 6, 2007)—meeting at SPO 11:30 am.

And we’ll be putting out flyers to get the word out about the trip to New Orleans, leaving December 30. Please fill out yours and email it in or send it to me. Questions? I’ll be happy to answer them. More info below.

Next week: Misquoting Jesus group Meets at 6 PM Wednesday for supper. Bring something to share. RSVP me for the address and details.

Now for the blog:

Compassion and Responsibility

I’ve just finished listening to Karen Armstrong’s book, “The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions.” In this book, she comments about the Axial Period which begins in the 9th century B.C.E.: “we often equate faith with doctrinal conformity, but the traditions of the Axial Age were not about dogma. All insisted on the primacy of compassion even in the midst of suffering.”

The difficulty in our lifetime is not simply identifying the things about which we can be compassionate. Out difficulty also resides in being compassionate at all when we see so many needs, difficulties, criminal activity and war on television, hear it on the radio, or read about it in print. We note terrorism through car bombings and warlords, natural disasters like tsunamis, hunger, starvation, disease and global warming issues.

Suffering requires a compassionate response.

I just received a copy of “An Inconvenient Truth.” I watched in some months ago and ordered a copy. This is a movie that is really a simple explication of issues of the physical planet—global warming. Using his Mac and Keynote (the OSX version of .ppt), Al Gore takes us on a journey of what’s wrong with our planet, and how we might nurse it back to health. Taking responsibility for this shift in our consumer habits is being compassionate; and it also can be responsible. Being compassionate can also mean we’re responsible.

Here’s a story I heard about Texas. In years now gone, when land changed hands through wills and estates, the bottom areas were considered more valuable. This was because oil rigs could more easily get to the oil and gas from a lower ground level. But the oil wells dried up over time, and now there’s a new money maker there—electrical power generated by wind. Huge farms (after all, this is Texas), have allocated lots of space for these wind machines. The best wind farms are at the tops of hills, where the wind is most likely to be unencumbered.

In those parts, the folks who got the worst land and least amount of money through family estates, now have the best land and the good money through wind generated electricity—and the electricity is clean and responsible.

Life’s not perfect but sometimes there are ironic twists that make us all smile. Shifting when we can from coal, oil and other types of fossil fuel to those energy forms that are renewable is a compassionate, and responsible, way of living for our planet.

--Fred






Random House, the publisher, says about Armstrong’s book:

“In the ninth century BCE, the peoples of four distinct regions of the civilized world created the religious and philosophical traditions that have continued to nourish humanity to the present day: Confucianism and Daoism in China, Hinduism and Buddhism in India, monotheism in Israel, and philosophical rationalism in Greece. Later generations further developed these initial insights, but we have never grown beyond them. Rabbinic Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, for example, were all secondary flowerings of the original Israelite vision. Now, in The Great Transformation, Karen Armstrong reveals how the sages of this pivotal “Axial Age” can speak clearly and helpfully to the violence and desperation that we experience in our own times.

Armstrong traces the development of the Axial Age chronologically, examining the contributions of such figures as the Buddha, Socrates, Confucius, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the mystics of the Upanishads, Mencius, and Euripides. All of the Axial Age faiths began in principled and visceral recoil from the unprecedented violence of their time. Despite some differences of emphasis, there was a remarkable consensus in their call for an abandonment of selfishness and a spirituality of compassion. With regard to dealing with fear, despair, hatred, rage, and violence, the Axial sages gave their people and give us, Armstrong says, two important pieces of advice: first there must be personal responsibility and self-criticism, and it must be followed by practical, effective action.

In her introduction and concluding chapter, Armstrong urges us to consider how these spiritualities challenge the way we are religious today. In our various institutions, we sometimes seem to be attempting to create exactly the kind of religion that Axial sages and prophets had hoped to eliminate. We often equate faith with doctrinal conformity, but the traditions of the Axial Age were not about dogma. All insisted on the primacy of compassion even in the midst of suffering. In each Axial Age case, a disciplined revulsion from violence and hatred proved to be the major catalyst of spiritual change.”

(You can also look up Dr. Armstrong in an interview with Bill Moyers at: http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/transcript_armstrong.html)


--Fred

Time is running short to sign up for the “volunteer to make a difference” trip to New Orleans during the Christmas break (December 30-January 8).

Here’s what you get for $250:

• Round trip passage to Gretna

• Food while you’re there

• An opportunity to serve those who have been busted by Hurricane Katrina

• Worship opportunities with a progressive bunch

• A week out of Omaha

Here are some tips for raising the money:

• Do some research on the project and the needs in New Orleans: the city and the towns around are still suffering from Hurricane Katrina

• Decide you want to do something tangible,

Then, ask for support and arrange time to make a difference:

• Ask your parents

• Ask some friends

• Write a note to grandma

• Ask your church, synagogue or civic organization

• Talks to your boss at work

Most folks will lend a hand if you tell them what you’re going to do.

Interested folks should give me a call. You can be a member of any faith group. I’ve included 2 pdfs that can get your thinking started and your body motivated.

Honoring Colleagues

This Week at UCMHE; blog below

Learning Opportunities

Monday: noon: Misquoting Jesus—chapter 6 led by Dr. Fred Richart, in the circle area, food court, MBSC

Tuesday: Noon: The God within—led by Barbara Catterton; Library coffee

Wednesday: noon: Community of Faith—led by Liz Polivka; MBSC food court.

And we’ll be putting out flyers to get the word out about the trip to New Orleans, leaving December 30. Lori will be designing them, so expect something creative and dynamic.

Now the blog:

Last night I attended a gala event (read fundraiser) honoring five people who have made a difference. I’ve known all five since the early 90s when this historic gathering began. Each of the five has a different story to tell, but the stories always came back to this: our faith is about building relationships with people and listening to the answer of this question: “What are the most important problems in your community?”

The answers to this question was heard, compiled and deciphered with others across Omaha. Research was done to identify core issues and previous responses, what could, might and should be done, and finally plans were laid to do something about three of the main issues. Continuing process included this information was taken back to the people to mentioned the problem in the first place. The session would then go something like this: “This is what heard was the problem, this is how some of us looked at it, and this is what we plan to do about it. Does this make sense to you?”

Speaking truth to power is a Jesus thing. It can be euphoric, but it is most often a process of slogging through the fears and inertia laden pockets of community. Physics is operational in the community: what is at rest remains at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. There are always reasons why things remain the way they are, and it’s usually because it’s easier that way or someone gains or retains power or profit because it is that way.

With further information, Omaha Together One Community (almost forty churches of a variety of types) moved into the community to change it. My honored colleagues took a leadership role in gathering folks into this new way of doing church, building relationships and changing community based on research. It’s a God thing, and the community is better and more about what God is than before.

So to experiment with community, why not just invited someone for coffee, or whatever, and inject into the conversation: How is it in your community where you live? And see what happens and if God gives you a clue. Who knows what you and your friends might do next?

Time is running short to sign up for the “volunteer to make a difference” trip to New Orleans during the Christmas break (December 30-January 8).

Here’s what you get for $250:

• Round trip passage to Gretna

• Food while you’re there

• An opportunity to serve those who have been busted by Hurricane Katrina

• Worship opportunities with a progressive bunch

A week out of Omaha
Here are some tips for raising the money:

• Do some research on the project and the needs in New Orleans: the city and the towns around are still suffering from Hurricane Katrina

• Decide you want to do something tangible,

Then, ask for support and arrange time to make a difference:

• Ask your parents

• Ask some friends

• Write a note to grandma

• Ask your church, synagogue or civic organization

• Talk to your boss at work

Most folks will lend a hand if you tell them what you’re going to do.

Interested folks should give me a call. You can be a member of any faith group.

Here's one spot to go to get you thinking: VIM

--Fred

A week after the election

This Week at UCMHE; blog below

Learning Opportunities

Monday: noon: Misquoting Jesus—chapter 5& 6 led by Dr. Fred Richart, in the circle area, food court, MBSC

Tuesday: Labyrinth at the Fireplace lounge most of Tuesday, beginning at 9am. Don’t miss this spiritual awakening event.

Noon: The God within—led by Barbara Catterton; MBSC food court

Noon: Islam 101: led by Dr. Paul Williams, Room 207, 1313 Farnam on the Mall
This Wesleyan Live event is organized by UCMHE for you for six Tuesdays. This week we learn about Relations between Muslims and Christians—how Muslims view Christians. Call me for a ride.

UCMHE Board will meet at 4PM, John Owens and Lori Young will be introduced and talk a little about their projects/faith/style.

Wednesday: noon: Community of Faith—led by Liz Polivka; MBSC food court.

Thursday: we’ll meet at the Westwood Heights movie Theater to watch the UNO Film Society entrants and winners. More details this week.

And we’ll be putting out flyers to get the word out about the trip to New Orleans, leaving December 30. Lori will be designing them, so expect something creative and dynamic.

Now the blog:

Last week I reflected on voting your values. I hope you did.

This week, I want you to act on your values, and if one of your values is to be compassionate, I urge you to sign up for the trip to Gretna (near New Orleans) during the Christmas break (December 30-January 8).

Here’s what you get for $250:

• Round trip passage to Gretna
• Food while you’re there
• An opportunity to serve those who have been busted by Hurricane Katrina
• Worship opportunities with a progressive bunch
• A week out of Omaha

Interested folks should give me a call or email me and I'll send you an application. You can be a member of any faith group.

--Fred

Voting Week--do God's best

This Week at UCMHE; blog below

Learning Opportunities

Monday: noon: Misquoting Jesus—chapter 5 led by Dr. Fred Richart, in the circle area, food court, MBSC
Tuesday: noon: The God within—led by Barbara Catterton; MBSC food court
Noon: Islam 101: led by Dr. Paul Williams, Room 207, 1313 Farnam on the Mall
This Wesleyan Live event is organized by UCMHE for you for six Tuesdays. This week we learn about Relations between Muslims and Christians—how they view each other. Call me for a ride.
Wednesday: noon: Community of Faith—led by Liz Polivka; MBSC food court.
Saturday morning: working for Habitat for Humanity; Anna Cox is coordinator. Email her with your plans to be there. She’ll have details.


Next week: in addition to the regular schedule, there will be a Labyrinth at the Fireplace lounge most of Tuesday, beginning at 9am. Don’t miss this spiritual awakening event.

Also, the UCMHE Board will meet at 4PM, Tuesday. These are the sponsoring denomination representatives. John and Lori will be introduced and talk a little about their projects/faith/style.

And we’ll be making plans to get the word out about the trip to New Orleans, leaving December 30.


Now the blog:

This is voting week and there’s really no excuse for you not to vote, if you’re of age and your leg’s not broken or something. Don’t forget to vote your values. The values of this ministry are:

Free food—It’s all about fellowship and getting together. Some candidates are not about explaining their views out there. Instead, they seem to be all about division, creating hate, etc. Those are not my values. Free food and gathering is about inclusion. My values say we’re all in this life thing together. I think God values all people—no matter who they are or where they live.

Make yourself Useful: Not only do we expect ourselves to be useful, we expect to have a chance to be useful. This is where I go with that thought during election week: I vote for candidates who provide opportunities for people to be useful. We want opportunities to make the world better, not more cost effective. (Oh, and did I mention there’s a seat for you on the bus to New Orleans on December 30?—we can help out victims of Hurricane Katrina).

Be Sweat Free: Biblical Justice is a good thing. If you spend much time in the scriptures, you can quickly come to the conclusion that God has a spot for the poor, and has an expectation of those who are wealthy. My thinking is that God expects the wealthy to help the impoverished. Does your candidate/proposition work to help the impoverished, and just as importantly, does your candidate work to change the system that creates and sustains poverty? (Oh, and did I mention there’s a seat for you on the bus to New Orleans on December 30?—we can help out victims of Hurricane Katrina).

Progressive talk about God is a value. A wise woman once said, “A good question is worth a thousand words”—that’s four typed pages, double spaced. Some of us (you’re welcome to join us!) meet on Mondays at noon to talk about how the Bible was compiled and has been changed over centuries. But at the same time, there is truth about God’s love on the pages we have. That’s a miracle! Does your candidate have optimism or pessimism? Does your candidate have a plan to let God’s love out? (Oh, and did I mention there’s a seat for you on the bus to New Orleans on December 30?—we can help out victims of Hurricane Katrina).

Yep, these are values worth voting for, and that’s what I plan to do.

--Fred

Two New Peers!

This Week at UCMHE; blog below

Learning Opportunities

Monday: noon: Misquoting Jesus—chapter 4 led by Dr. Fred Richart, in the circle area, food court, MBSC
Tuesday: noon: The God within—led by Barbara Catterton; MBSC food court
Noon: Islam 101: led by Dr. Paul Williams, Room 207, 1313 Farnam on the Mall
This Wesleyan Live event is organized by UCMHE for you for six Tuesdays. This week we learn about Jihad. First day is free, Tuesdays after that are at a big discount. Call me for a ride.
Wednesday: noon: Community of Faith—led by Liz Polivka; MBSC food court
Thursday: Coffee with Together, Inc. 7:30am to 9:00am Regency Court, 120 Regency Pkwy, Omaha,NE; Mark Foxall, UNO, is the speaker. Check it out at http://www.togetheromaha.org

Together Inc. of Metropolitan Omaha was founded after the tornado disaster in 1975. The natural disaster, which left hundreds of families homeless, hungry, and in great need, spurred religious leaders from several denominations to organize the "Together" cooperative effort. This effort provided for ongoing human needs, primarily, the basic necessities of life: food, clothing, and shelter.

Providing free emergency help in an attitude of neighborly love, Together, Inc. is supported by contributors from churches, synagogues, businesses, foundations, and individuals of nearly every faith.

And there’s more—

There is good news for UNO students this week. I’m happy about it.

First, John Owens-Ream has become an intern for the Peace with Justice program at UNO. This means John will spend five hours a week in projects to increase awareness concerning use of sweatshop made goods. In the spring, John will also be involved in organizing the Omaha Peace and Justice Expo on April 15. This Sunday afternoon time will help connect all those organizations in Omaha that have peace as their central focus. Cindy Sheehan will speak. Through a regular process of prayer, reading, reflection and action, John will become acquainted with a life of justice that rests on the strong bedrock of a growing spiritual life. No kidding.

Second, Lori Young has become a peer minister on campus for UCMHE. That means Lori will spend about five hours a week in the planning, organizing, leading and shaping UCMHE campus ministries. Her creativity, strength, energy and focus will be a welcome addition to help what God is accomplishing on campus. This is really exciting because Lori has a wide ranging faith background that encourages her outgoing and searching attitude.

Look for more from these students the UCMHE in the coming weeks and months. Woohoo!

Darfur demands a response

This Week at UCMHE; blog below

Learning Opportunities

Monday: noon: Misquoting Jesus—chapter 2& 3 led by Dr. Fred, in the circle area, food court, MBSC
Tuesday: noon: The God within—led by Barbara Catterton; MBSC food court
Noon: Islam 101: led by Dr. Paul Williams, Room 207, 1313 Farnam on the Mall
This Wesleyan Live event is organized by UCMHE for you for six Tuesdays. This week, it’s women in Islam—fairly controversial, by our standards. First day is free, Tuesdays after that are at a big discount. Call/write for a ride.
Wednesday: noon: Community of Faith—led by Liz Polivka; MBSC food court

Coming up: Movie nights, on Thursdays beginning November 2 if we get a little leadership from you. Dinner, movie, discussion and brief worship. Something for you and your friends.

Blog:

I saw a terrible show tonight on TV. It was about Darfur, in Sudan, and the crush of genocide.

A doctor who serves 25,000 refugees by himself provided descriptions that rival anything I’ve ever heard: raping women, killing men and throwing their bodies into the water supply so no one ever returns. Children and the aged are who are left behind, or rather, left to walk to a refugee camp. One woman loaded her grandchildren on a donkey and walked for three days to get there.

60 minutes went on to describe how the UN is being stymied by the Arab government, which is forcing out native Africa citizens. The New York Times online (www. nytimes.com) says the UN envoy has been asked to leave the country. You can check his blog at www.janpronk.nl. Look for Darfur links. In his latest commentary, he concludes: “During my last visit to South Darfur I saw some consequences: new displacements of people, desperate, because they did not know where their future lies; growing mistrust amongst the population in authorities, in rebel commanders as well as in the African Union. They feel totally unprotected. Khartoum seems blind to these developments. The standard reflex is to deny that a battle took place, to dismiss news about tribal clashes, to discredit the messenger, to belittle the number of casualties, to sketch a rosy picture of the implementation of the peace agreement, and to blame the international community for everything that goes wrong.”

(I found this at Westend UMC in Nashville )The Darfur region of Sudan is mainly populated by African Muslims who have been in dispute with the Sudanese government for many years about a host of issues. Since 2003, however, there has been a concerted effort by “Janjaweed” militias to destroy the people of Darfur through unprecedented violence, which has been supported by the Sudanese government. These militias are largely Arab Muslims, and thus there are significant racial tensions as well as a long history of conflict. It is estimated that since 2003, four hundred thousand people have been killed, 2.5 million refugees are displaced, and 3.5 million people are at risk for starvation. Humanitarian aid has been difficult to provide because of the ongoing instability in the region, interference from the Sudanese government, and until recently, a lack of attention around the world.

To read more about some of the current efforts in Sudan, see www.savedarfur.org (a coalition of organizations including the Church World Service) and a recent statement from the Rev. Randy Day, General Secretary of the UMC General Board of Global Ministries. As citizens and as Christians we each have some responsibility to help build a better world:

If you faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength being small;
If you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death,
Those who go staggering to the slaughter;
If you say, “Look, we did not know this”—
Does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?
And will he not repay all according to their deeds?
Proverbs 24: 10-12

Any solution to the Darfur tragedy must come from concerned citizens around the world through their respective governments. There are several bills currently on the table in the U. S. Congress. One of the most important is the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, voted unanimously by the U. S. Senate (S. 1462) at the end of 2005 and passed overwhelmingly by the U. S. House of Representatives (H. R. 3127) in April (2006). One way you can help is to encourage your Senators and Congresspersons to help move this legislation through the appropriate conference committee and on to the President.

Nebraska emails are:

Senator Ben Nelson: www.senate.gov/~bennelson/contact/email.cfm
Senator Chuck Hagel: http://hagel.senate.gov/
Congressman Lee Terry: http://leeterry.house.gov/contact.shtml
Congressman Jeff Fortenberry: http://fortenberry.house.gov/feedback.shtml
Congressman Tom Osborne: http://www.house.gov/osborne/contact.htm

A possible message looks like this (I found this at Westend UMC in Nashville and adapted it):

"I am writing to express my concern about the ongoing tragedies in the Darfur region of Sudan. As you know hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and over two million people have been displaced because of their race. The Janjaweed militias continue to destroy lives, and the Sudanese government’s support of this genocide is well-documented. Five hundred more people die every day because of violence, starvation, and disease.

I appeal to you to become part of the solution. We must get more involved. Clearly Darfur represents very complicated issues and solutions are going to be difficult to come by. The people of Darfur deserve peace. They need to have their human rights restored. As a concerned citizen, an active Christian, and a member of United Christian Ministries in Higher Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, I am trying to get more involved and help. I hope that you will, too.

Please use your influence to move the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, versions of which have already been passed by both the Senate (S. 1462) and the House (H. R. 3127), through any conference committee, and on to the President. Thank you for your anticipated leadership."

The massacre of these people is unconscionable. We must do something.



--Fred

Darfur demands a response

This Week at UCMHE; blog below

Learning Opportunities

Monday: noon: Misquoting Jesus—chapter 2& 3 led by Dr. Fred, in the circle area, food court, MBSC
Tuesday: noon: The God within—led by Barbara Catterton; MBSC food court
Noon: Islam 101: led by Dr. Paul Williams, Room 207, 1313 Farnam on the Mall
This Wesleyan Live event is organized by UCMHE for you for six Tuesdays. This week, it’s women in Islam—fairly controversial, by our standards. First day is free, Tuesdays after that are at a big discount. Call/write for a ride.
Wednesday: noon: Community of Faith—led by Liz Polivka; MBSC food court

Coming up: Movie nights, on Thursdays beginning November 2 if we get a little leadership from you. Dinner, movie, discussion and brief worship. Something for you and your friends.

Blog:

I saw a terrible show tonight on TV. It was about Darfur, in Sudan, and the crush of genocide.

A doctor who serves 25,000 refugees by himself provided descriptions that rival anything I’ve ever heard: raping women, killing men and throwing their bodies into the water supply so no one ever returns. Children and the aged are who are left behind, or rather, left to walk to a refugee camp. One woman loaded her grandchildren on a donkey and walked for three days to get there.

60 minutes went on to describe how the UN is being stymied by the Arab government, which is forcing out native Africa citizens. The New York Times online (www. nytimes.com) says the UN envoy has been asked to leave the country. You can check his blog at www.janpronk.nl. Look for Darfur links. In his latest commentary, he concludes: “During my last visit to South Darfur I saw some consequences: new displacements of people, desperate, because they did not know where their future lies; growing mistrust amongst the population in authorities, in rebel commanders as well as in the African Union. They feel totally unprotected. Khartoum seems blind to these developments. The standard reflex is to deny that a battle took place, to dismiss news about tribal clashes, to discredit the messenger, to belittle the number of casualties, to sketch a rosy picture of the implementation of the peace agreement, and to blame the international community for everything that goes wrong.”

(I found this at Westend UMC in Nashville )The Darfur region of Sudan is mainly populated by African Muslims who have been in dispute with the Sudanese government for many years about a host of issues. Since 2003, however, there has been a concerted effort by “Janjaweed” militias to destroy the people of Darfur through unprecedented violence, which has been supported by the Sudanese government. These militias are largely Arab Muslims, and thus there are significant racial tensions as well as a long history of conflict. It is estimated that since 2003, four hundred thousand people have been killed, 2.5 million refugees are displaced, and 3.5 million people are at risk for starvation. Humanitarian aid has been difficult to provide because of the ongoing instability in the region, interference from the Sudanese government, and until recently, a lack of attention around the world.

To read more about some of the current efforts in Sudan, see www.savedarfur.org (a coalition of organizations including the Church World Service) and a recent statement from the Rev. Randy Day, General Secretary of the UMC General Board of Global Ministries. As citizens and as Christians we each have some responsibility to help build a better world:

If you faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength being small;
If you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death,
Those who go staggering to the slaughter;
If you say, “Look, we did not know this”—
Does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?
And will he not repay all according to their deeds?
Proverbs 24: 10-12

Any solution to the Darfur tragedy must come from concerned citizens around the world through their respective governments. There are several bills currently on the table in the U. S. Congress. One of the most important is the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, voted unanimously by the U. S. Senate (S. 1462) at the end of 2005 and passed overwhelmingly by the U. S. House of Representatives (H. R. 3127) in April (2006). One way you can help is to encourage your Senators and Congresspersons to help move this legislation through the appropriate conference committee and on to the President.

Nebraska emails are:

Senator Ben Nelson: www.senate.gov/~bennelson/contact/email.cfm
Senator Chuck Hagel: http://hagel.senate.gov/
Congressman Lee Terry: http://leeterry.house.gov/contact.shtml
Congressman Jeff Fortenberry: http://fortenberry.house.gov/feedback.shtml
Congressman Tom Osborne: http://www.house.gov/osborne/contact.htm

A possible message looks like this (I found this at Westend UMC in Nashville and adapted it):

"I am writing to express my concern about the ongoing tragedies in the Darfur region of Sudan. As you know hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and over two million people have been displaced because of their race. The Janjaweed militias continue to destroy lives, and the Sudanese government’s support of this genocide is well-documented. Five hundred more people die every day because of violence, starvation, and disease.

I appeal to you to become part of the solution. We must get more involved. Clearly Darfur represents very complicated issues and solutions are going to be difficult to come by. The people of Darfur deserve peace. They need to have their human rights restored. As a concerned citizen, an active Christian, and a member of United Christian Ministries in Higher Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, I am trying to get more involved and help. I hope that you will, too.

Please use your influence to move the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, versions of which have already been passed by both the Senate (S. 1462) and the House (H. R. 3127), through any conference committee, and on to the President. Thank you for your anticipated leadership."

The massacre of these people is unconscionable. We must do something.



--Fred

October 8

This Week at UCMHE; blog below

Learning and Friend happy Opportunities

Monday: noon: Misquoting Jesus—chapter 2 led by Molly Brennan, in the circle area, food court, MBSC
Tuesday: noon: The God within—led by Barbara Catterton; MBSC food court
Noon: Islam 101: led by Dr. Paul Williams, Room 207, 1313 Farnam on the Mall
This Wesleyan Live event is organized by UCMHE for you for six Tuesdays. First day is free, Tuesdays after that are at a big discount.
Wednesday: noon: Community of Faith—led by Liz Polivka; MBSC food court
Saturday: 8-12 noon Habitat for Humanity—coordinated by Anna Cox

Coming up: Movie nights, on Thursdays beginning October 26 if we get a little leadership from you. Dinner, movie, discussion and brief worship. Something for you and your friends.

Blog:

Grab a friend by the hand and go to “Man of La Mancha” at UNO. It runs this week through Saturday night. All the elements are there: outstanding story, solid cast, great music, directing and a fast pace. “Why should I?” you ask.

Easy answer. It will be good for you soul, your outlook on life, and it will challenge you to change the way you think about doing your life. It goes right along with what I believe: recognizing Jesus in the people around you, and diligently working for a more just world.

The story’s hero is Don Quixote de la Mancha. You might say he’s a man from nowhere because LaMancha is a desolate area in Spain. He’s thrown into a highly populated dungeon, to wait until he is put on trial by the Inquisition. His heresy? He followed the rules and foreclosed on a tax delinquent church. The next level of story is the play within the play. Don Quixote is tried by his dungeon mates, and in response he invites them to be part of a play. The players are the good the bad and the beautiful and everything is turned upside down, especially the female lead, Aldonza, who is dubbed “Dulcinea” by don Quixote. She eventually becomes what he sees in her, and she becomes what she believes herself to be. She gets it and begins the process of bringing out the loveliest and most courageous in herself and others. Don Quixote is the model, a transformed life is the result.

Don Quixote is incongruous—he just doesn’t’ seem to fit in his society. He doesn’t see “what’s really there”—power, money and getting your share. Instead, he’s about truth, courage, and not giving up to the illusion of evil. Some of his monologues declare his journey and sound confessional. Dick Glasser, director, calls these “moments of clarity.” Instead of confessing to a priest for absolution, Don Quixote confesses some of his confusion to his friends, which results in clarity: clarity of purpose, clarity of desires, clarity of self. In the end, we can see him as congruent, not incongruent. He sees people for what they are: people with inner beauty. One might say, children of God.

The musical is fun, too. Lots of jokes, a comic sidekick, Sancho, a wonderful pair consisting of a horse and a donkey, an innkeeper who becomes lord of a castle, a traveling ditch digger who becomes a troubador. This is a play with laughs all the way through.

You might want to make a night of it. A few of us met at Espana in Benson for Spanish Tapas, read from Monty Python’s Inquisition, and reviewed historic heresies against the church (Montanism, Arianism and the usually suspects—like being Protestant). What fun!

Go with your friends! Let me know how you liked it!

--Fred

October 1, 2006

Hey!

Aren’t you glad you can’t be burned at the stake for heresy? Check out Friday night info below.

Bored? Why not spend a year overseas! Checkout Thursday Schedules.

And for those who like the whole enchilada, here’s the

UCMHE Calendar for this week:

Study groups

Monday: Misquoting Jesus group meets at the circle table, in the east section of the food court. Lovely views with all the windows. Chapter 2

Tuesday: The God within. Last we discussed witchery. We could have saved that faith stance for Halloween! Look for us in the food court at noon.

Wednesday: Community of faith. Look for us in the food court at noon.

Thursday: UCMHE will have a table at the UNO health fair. If you have time to help set up, please let me know. I’m bringing a palm tree and will need help. (yep—it’s electric); also, a tv, books, signups, Habitat for Humanity Information, Katrina aid information (for our post Christmas trip) and more.

Additionals this week:

Thursday Noon, we’ll have several twenty-somethings who have put their lives on the line across the globe being visible in community organizing and faith building. You will find this helpful. Call or write if you’d like a seat at the table.



Friday night: Man of LaMancha—I have tickets for 8 and we’ll have supper together, review the top five church heresies and go to the musical—they will have snacks after the show and time to talk to the players.



The 2006 UNO Health Fair will be held Thursday, Oct. 5, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Milo Bail Student Center. It is open to all faculty, staff and students.

The event is sponsored by Student Health Services (SHS) and the Wellness Stampede, UNO's health promotion program.

The 2006 theme is "Discover the Treasure of Your Health." Approximately 30 vendors will offer a variety of free screenings, information and giveaways.

The free screenings will consist of a vision test, skin cancer examination, blood pressure checks, a body composition test and a chair massage.

Comprehensive blood draws will be available at the fair. They will include a cholesterol panel and thyroid, kidney, liver, blood sugar and diabetes screens. The cost is $22, and the confidential results will be mailed directly to participants' homes. For an additional $12, males can have a prostate cancer screen included in the blood results.

A 12-hour fast is required for all lab work. Registration must also be completed before the event. To register, call SHS at 554.2374. Editor's note: The UNO Spirit Committee has designated this activity as a UNO spirit event.



Coming up:

Islam 101: six Tuesdays at noon beginning October 10. 13th and Farnam, room 207. Dr. Paul Williams will be presenter in this “Wesleyan Live” Teleconference. Dr. Fred (me) will offer the introduction to each topic. Material will be available via email in .pdf format. $20 cost, split with the UCMHE program.


Hands on at Habitat for Humanity, October 14, 8-12 am. (second Saturdays of Service). Anna Cox is coordinator of this time to bring healthy support to those who qualify for housing and are willing to put in 350 hours of sweat equity. We’ll meet at the Habitat for Humanity office and will receive our assignments. No tools required—they’re on site. But you can bring your favorites. Email me for more information.

Movie nights: How about Thursdays beginning October 26-through November 16? We’ll meet, have dinner (free food) watch a movie, dialogue about it and have a brief worship. Let me know if you’d like to help coordinate.



Blog:

Spending time with God, with friends, serving others so the world changes for the better, and providing justice when we can is crucial. Lots of folks want to have things go well for them. That’s natural. Much of life, however, is learning to do the things that make good things happen, and to be the person that is clear about what you want.

For example, I was in a hardware store on Thursday. I’ve been in this store lots, so everybody in the store recognizes me. The owner had a question for me. But he couldn’t remember what the question was. He asked for my phone number and I gave it to him. He said he’d call me when he remembered what the question was. It was easy letting folks know I was available. That made things go well, and that was easy.

Three weeks ago, Anna Cox stepped forward to work with Habitat for Humanity. She gave up an afternoon to be part of a movement dedicated to changing the world, one house at a time. Again, that made things go well, and that was a little more difficult. But the results for Joseph, who has a wife and eight children, the results will be transforming.

Eight students hang out at lunchtime on Mondays in the Food Court to talk about how the bible has been misused over the last two thousand years. This gathering is all about claiming the bible, as it is, for ourselves. This student work involves committing ourselves to this truth: that God loves us. This work is difficult to do, because we share what we think. And we are also observed for who we are. Some in our group are not Christian, but are very interested in Christianity. Not all Christians invite questions. We do. Not all world religions are question oriented. We are. That difficult and powerful work is ours, and you’re welcome to join us in it.

Blessings.

Fred

September 24

UCMHE

This Week at UNO:

Our goal is to provide meaningful religious discussions of depth and power. Look for the green table cloth with fish.

Monday Gathering, noon, MBSC food court: Session two of “Misquoting Jesus: The Story of Who Changed the Bible and Why.” Bart Ehrman tells the story behind the mistakes and changes that ancient scribes made to the New Testament and shows the great impact they had upon the bible we use today. He frames his account with personal reflections on how his study of the Greek manuscripts made him abandon his once ultraconservative views of the Bible. (from the cover).

Last week we shared our hopes for this time together: learning about Christianity from a variety of world religion perspectives; get some perspective about how the Bible is used by fundamentalists, evangelicals, traditionalists, progressives and ourselves; be centered enough to be less judgmental. My hopes are that we read the book and the bible, and we share leadership.

If you have a friend who might be interested in such a discussion, please feel free to bring them.

This week: chapter one. Q’s what does it mean to be a religion “of the book.” What do you think of Marcion, Iraneaus, and Hegel? (ha! Hegel’s not in the book, but he’s important. Because he gets credit for a crucial way of looking at things—thesis, antithesis, synthesis; write a song about that and bring it).

Tuesday Gathering: noon, MBSC food court: God within. Barbara Catterton is leader. These are spiritual pieces written by college age folks. This week’s is about a young woman’s reflection on witches and goddesses.

Wednesday: Gathering: Community: Liz Polivka is leader, Noon at the food court. The Bible reflects strong light on the

Thursday: 10 am at SPO. RIPV—you can join us in the planning for the February event—Responses to Intimate Partner Violence. We received a $3,500 grant and we’re using it to leverage additional support for a day of learning.

Mornings this week, I’ll have a presence in the fireplace lounge area. Informal conversation and legitimate religious endeavors will be the norm. You’re welcome to join in. Our ministry needs student energy and spiritual growth. Please help out with growing our program and relationships. Talk to me for specific suggestions.

Is gathering signatures to end Bookstore support of sweatshops in your future? Let me know about your feelings!

Program thoughts for the near future:

1. a group of three or four recent college graduates spent a year on the world stage volunteering in severe situations. If you want your life to be meaningful, this might be a way for you. See us Thursday, October, 5 at noon MBSC.

2. Movies should be seen and reflected upon. There are lots out there and could be the focus of Thursday night gatherings for dinner and a movie with reflections and brief worship. Let me know if you want to volunteer to help. Free Food!

3. Next Habitat for Humanity Saturday: October 14; please feel free to offer yourself as coordinator.

4. Islam 101: a teleconference course for you, 13th and Farnam, reduced course costs and free lunch for registrants. Taught by Dr. Paul Williams. Tuesdays beginning October 10.

5. Katrina relief volunteer work: Near New Orleans, December 31-Jan 7







I delivered a sermon at Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church this morning. I talked about our two basic hungers:

1) to live a life that has meaning and
2) to be included and cared for

My hunch is that we all want these two components in our faith lives. Sure, free food is great, but what about meaning? We all know we want stuff, but we also know we want meaning--What we do should matter and make a difference.

I also think we want to be in a group or with another person that cares for us--deeply and without reservation. Along with independence and being able to be self-sufficient, we want to be able to share our lives of importance.

What I want to help develop at UNO is a group of at least 12 people who want to live lives with meaning and who want to learn to care deeply about each other and others.

God is key for all this to take place. We hear about God in scriptures and in songs and from those who have been in touch with God's spirit. We can learn more about God by being together learning and sharing ourselves--deeply.

Let's talk more.


--Fred

This week

This Week at UNO and Commentary

Our goal is to provide meaningful religious discussions of depth and power.

Monday Gathering, MBSC food court: Session one of “Misquoting Jesus: The Story of Who Changed the Bible and Why.” Bart Ehrman tells the story behind the mistakes and changes that ancient scribes made to the New Testament and shows the great impact they had upon the bible we use today. He frames his account with personal reflections on how his study of the Greek manuscripts made him abandon his once ultraconservative views of the Bible. (from the cover).

Yep, we’re going to get started. Bring $5 and a great attitude and I’ll hand you a copy. We’ll talk about how Jews and Christians were a people of the book. If we get cranked up we might even delve into the idea of Christian Canon.

Tuesday: Gathering; God within: Barbara Catterton, Noon at the food court

For those who have been to the Gulf Of Mexico to help out, and those who are thinking of going:

SPO to Host Sept. 19 Performance of "Voices of Louisiana"

The UNO Student Programming Organization (SPO) and the Voices Foundation will bring the "Voices of Louisiana" theatrical production to campus Tuesday, Sept. 19. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Nebraska Room.

The Evacuation Theatre Troupe of the Voices Foundation travels across the United States with its Louisiana-based production. Subject matter in the production spans from the Louisiana Purchase to the present. With humor, the troupe, recounts the events leading up to the Louisiana Purchase, as well as takes a poignant look at the contributions and recent hardships of Louisiana. (including the impact of Hurricane Katrina)

Wednesday: Gathering: Community: Liz Polivka, Noon at the food court

Thursday: 10 am at SPO. RIPV—you can join us in the planning for the February event—Responses to Intimate Partner Violence

11:30 am Cabinet Lunch at Jason’s Deli

Items related to our purpose and in our future:



October 6: Student global volunteers: MBSC. Join us for lunch as we listen to some recent college graduates who are changing the world in Northern Ireland, Kenya and Argentina. You could be on the radar, too.

October 10 Islam 101: noon teleconference, downtown at 13th & Farnam, taught by Dr. Paul Williams. Six weeks. Special student rates.

October 14, Habitat for Humanity, 8 am - noon.

In our future: Thursday night movies, food, discussion and a brief emerging worship.



Commentary:

I was speaking to the Dietz United Methodist Church people this morning. I was talking about you and me.

Not you individually, just you as students, people hungry for a meaningful life; you who are thinking about risking something to get your life in balance and to become whole.

The people were surprised by my description of people who come to campus, ready to tell us all we’re going to hell in a handbasket. They were grateful there are so many of you who are not willing to believe it, but instead are reflecting about a loving God, our responsibilities, and that God can be noticed in our midst.

People were delighted to know God is leading us to another trip for Katrina repair work—putting homes and lives back together. They were also hopeful because we are partnering our energy with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for low income people, on a regular basis. Our numbers and supporters are growing and we are becoming more supportive of one another.

I’m thinking of a balanced life—one that is faithful and energetic, one that takes care of each other and the earth, all in the name of God’s love.

Please join us for any of our events and see what God is doing in us and around us.

--Fred

This week

This Week at UNO and Commentary

Our goal is to provide meaningful religious discussions of depth and power.

Monday Gathering, MBSC food court: Session one of “Misquoting Jesus: The Story of Who Changed the Bible and Why.” Bart Ehrman tells the story behind the mistakes and changes that ancient scribes made to the New Testament and shows the great impact they had upon the bible we use today. He frames his account with personal reflections on how his study of the Greek manuscripts made him abandon his once ultraconservative views of the Bible. (from the cover).

Yep, we’re going to get started. Bring $5 and a great attitude and I’ll hand you a copy. We’ll talk about how Jews and Christians were a people of the book. If we get cranked up we might even delve into the idea of Christian Canon.

Tuesday: Gathering; God within: Barbara Catterton, Noon at the food court

For those who have been to the Gulf Of Mexico to help out, and those who are thinking of going:

SPO to Host Sept. 19 Performance of "Voices of Louisiana"

The UNO Student Programming Organization (SPO) and the Voices Foundation will bring the "Voices of Louisiana" theatrical production to campus Tuesday, Sept. 19. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Nebraska Room.

The Evacuation Theatre Troupe of the Voices Foundation travels across the United States with its Louisiana-based production. Subject matter in the production spans from the Louisiana Purchase to the present. With humor, the troupe, recounts the events leading up to the Louisiana Purchase, as well as takes a poignant look at the contributions and recent hardships of Louisiana. (including the impact of Hurricane Katrina)

Wednesday: Gathering: Community: Liz Polivka, Noon at the food court

Thursday: 10 am at SPO. RIPV—you can join us in the planning for the February event—Responses to Intimate Partner Violence

11:30 am Cabinet Lunch at Jason’s Deli

Items related to our purpose and in our future:



October 6: Student global volunteers: MBSC. Join us for lunch as we listen to some recent college graduates who are changing the world in Northern Ireland, Kenya and Argentina. You could be on the radar, too.

October 10 Islam 101: noon teleconference, downtown at 13th & Farnam, taught by Dr. Paul Williams. Six weeks. Special student rates.

October 14, Habitat for Humanity, 8 am - noon.

In our future: Thursday night movies, food, discussion and a brief emerging worship.



Commentary:

I was speaking to the Dietz United Methodist Church people this morning. I was talking about you and me.

Not you individually, just you as students, people hungry for a meaningful life; you who are thinking about risking something to get your life in balance and to become whole.

The people were surprised by my description of people who come to campus, ready to tell us all we’re going to hell in a handbasket. They were grateful there are so many of you who are not willing to believe it, but instead are reflecting about a loving God, our responsibilities, and that God can be noticed in our midst.

People were delighted to know God is leading us to another trip for Katrina repair work—putting homes and lives back together. They were also hopeful because we are partnering our energy with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for low income people, on a regular basis. Our numbers and supporters are growing and we are becoming more supportive of one another.

I’m thinking of a balanced life—one that is faithful and energetic, one that takes care of each other and the earth, all in the name of God’s love.

Please join us for any of our events and see what God is doing in us and around us.

--Fred

a four piece balanced life

Below the weekly schedule is my blog on balance.

This week at UNO:

Monday: 911 at the bell tower, ten minutes before until 10 minutes after each hour

Gathering: Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who changed the Bible and Why, Noon at the food court, Fred Richart

Tuesday: 11am MBSC; Dr. Paul Williams, dept of religion, will present an address ref. 911
Gathering; God within: Barbara Catterton, noon at the food court
UCMHE Board meeting, 4PM

Wednesday: Gathering: Community: Liz Polivka, noon at the food court

Thursday

Friday: 10 am. RIPV—you can join us in the planning for the February event—Responses to Intimate Partner Violence


Saturday: Habitat for Humanity, 12-4PM. Email me if you’re interested


God’s Help Wanted Ads (contact Fred for more details):

Fred needs help: up to five hours per week in study and event, planning, marketing and follow ups,

Look for an intern to promote biblical Justice—help put into place a policy that seeks to end sales of goods made in sweatshops.
659-5795

Upcoming events:
Thursdays: dinner, movie, discussion and a brief time of emerging worship (start date to be announced.
Thursday, October 6, lunch with volunteers who have spent a year overseas.
Tuesday, October 10, first of six sessions on Islam, led by Dr. Paul Williams,. This teleconference takes place in downtown Omaha, 12-1PM.
December 30, depart for New Orleans work trip. Return in time for classes, 2nd semester.

We all talk about being busy, and when I look at this calendar, it seems that way. There is something for everyone or a regular basis. The calendar is also a clear indicator that balance takes time and determination. We have four points to consider and put into place in our lives as God’s community on the UNO campus (and environs). You see them on my contact cards:

1) Clarifying and learning about our beliefs and spirituality (progressive talk about God)
2) Biblical Justice (be sweat free)
3) Service to others (make yourself useful)
4) Being together (free food)

You are invited to join any or all pieces—and remember that all the pieces give us balance.

--Fred

frichart@cox.net
402-659-5795

Schedule and stuff

Coming up this week:

Tuesday: Talk with Us, “God Within” at the TV Lounge MBSC

Wednesday: Talk with Us, “Community” TV Lounge MBSC

Thursday: Cabinet at Jason’s Deli, 11:30 am


--“Talk with Us” is a series of jump ins at MBSC during the noon time. Led by Barbara Catterton, Liz Polivka and Fred Richart, we will gather and learn. Less than an hour. Get a jolt of God through progressive thought. Yes, friends, it is 2006, and God does not ask you to check your brains and life experience at the door. All are welcome.

--9/11 will find us at the bell tower from 10 minutes before to 10 minutes after the hour through the day. A variety of world faiths will have sacred scripture available. There will be a place for writing responses on a huge white sheet and some prayer. Calm, reflective, compassionate. Sounds great. I’ve been working on this with Marty Kalkowski, Catholic Campus Ministry, and Stacey Swan, LivingH20 (LCMS).




--A big synergy is locating around Thursday nite movies. So far, six churches have responded with delightful anticipation. That means they are ready to sponsor the weekly events.

The churches are: First United Methodist, 69th & Cass, Elkhorn Hills United Methodist, 204th, north of Dodge, St. Luke United Methodist, 120th, south of Dodge; St. Andrews UMC, 156th & Maple; First Central Congregational, 34th & Harney; Presbyterian Church of the Master, 108th, south of Maple; Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian, 165th & Center.

There will probably be more sponsoring churches.

Here’s how it could work. Thursday nights qt 6:30 or so, we’ll gather at a sponsoring church, have free food and a movie, discussion and brief emerging worship. The sponsoring church’s Young Adult/College age group gets to provide food, choose the movie prepare for the discussion, and plan the worship (with candles, of course). I or we will fill in the blanks, offer transportation and generally hype it up.

This way, the groups of local churches are strengthened and so are we. Not to mention we get a night out that is really super.

Think about it. We’re open to suggestions about starting. This next week or so we’ll try to organize a schedule. Touch base and pray often.

God’s Blessings

--fred

ps. Campus Ministry needs a 5hr/week intern, as does Peace with Justice Ministries. Let me know options

Habitat connection

Hello friends!

It’s great to send you this note—fall classes has resumed and there’s lots to do!

One of the basic principles for the UCMHE ministry is service in the community. The model we use is of Jesus who poured out his life for others. We believe serving others is what we are called to do: we are all about serving others.

I think of the early church people, like Stephen, who wanted to serve widows. In fact, there’s a great story in the book of Acts that describes how Stephen and others were chosen to serve the widows more effectively (Acts 6). It didn’t take long for the word to get around that Stephen and the others were people of faith willing to serve.

That’s a message worth sharing with others—that we’re people of faith willing to serve others.

We’ve contacted Habitat for Humanity in Omaha and are scheduled to volunteer on September 16 (in the afternoon), and the Saturday mornings of October 11, November 11 and December 9. All that’s necessary is a willing attitude. If you need transportation, just let us know. We’ll provide tools if you need them. You can feel free to bring a friend, too. We’ll let you know a week in advance what we think the project will be and the exact address.

The people at Habitat for Humanity are thrilled to have us come.

So let us know you want to go!

--Fred


ps. We have weekly learning opportunities coming up at noon beginning the week we come back from Labor Day: Monday: Bible 101; Tuesday: The God Within: stories of Spirituality of Young Adults; and Wednesday, Community: Living Faithfully. Watch for us near the fireplace in MBSC.

Campus Ministry loves John Prine

This week’s schedule:

Monday: meet on the Plaza at 11:30 am, and:
∑ Invite students to join us at our events
∑ Pass out new UCMHE campus ministry cards
∑ Interview students about the 10 things they’d like to know
∑ Admire the fall event poster and schedule

Tuesday: meet at the Firepit for lunch and discussion about schedule for the fall.

Courses include:
Bible 101: ten great themes
Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism
Community (led by Liz Polivka)
God Within (led by Barb Catterton)
Islam (A teleconference introduce by me and taught by Dr. Paul Williams, beginning in October

We’ll also look for specific ways to encourage our friends to be part of our lifestyle and develop their own faithful journey.

Wednesday
Ideas on movie selection for Thursdays are due. More details on Second Saturdays of Service will be discussed.

Thursday
meet on the Plaza from 11:00 am to 1, and:
∑ Invite students to join us at our events
∑ Pass out new UCMHE campus ministry cards
∑ Interview students about the 10 things they’d like to know
∑ Admire the fall event poster and schedule

The Blog:

John Prine offered an album a number of years ago. He named it, “Jesus, the Missing Years.” One of the memorable concepts concerned Jesus as a child, a teen and a man. In these circumstances, Prine openly wondered, “what really happened in Jesus’ family?” These songs never made it on the pop charts. Why?

First, they made no sense unless the listener had a good understanding of the Gospels. Most of America does not. In fact, more than half of us can’t name the four gospels, much less get the order right, not even mentioning their contents, differences and similarities. Strike one.

Second, the listener has to have a sense of humor about God and creation. John Prine calls this globe, “a big old goofy world.” Indeed, events in Lebanon, Uzbekistan, North Korea, Iran and Omaha might lead us to the same conclusion. Even allowing that God created something goofy is offensive to many. Strike two.

But John Prine also made war, Jesus, the missing years, and this goofy world the arena of our lives. It’s up to us to claim our adulthood and make a trek through this stuff that makes meaning: making a difference through their own lifestyles and choices. Our lives count for something. The word on the street is that we count for nothing. That’s easier to believe because it’s hard to see the benefit of being holy. Strike three for Prine’s general popularity.

Making our lives on campus count for something is perhaps our greatest life task. John Prine thinks we can do it. In fact, we have to do it. It’s called being adult, being Christian, and being sane.

I hope you will join us in our campus ministry lifestyle: community building, studying with integrity, offering service to others, and promoting justice.

We’ll look for you and make room.

--Fred

Wanna make God feel good?

The other day a student shared in conversation that she liked summer well enough, but really enjoyed the energy of campus during the rest of the year “when all my friends are around.”

Just a thought: I believe God feels better when God’s friends are around. This summer is a great time to share some time with God—and share it with friends as well. You can do this by volunteering. God loves it when we volunteer.

I’m looking for ways to connect you with a God thing by finding ways for us all to volunteer, connect, and do a good thing for God. At this moment, there are places in Omaha looking for help in community gardening projects, Habitat for Humanity building projects, immigration, inter cultural and one-on-one opportunities, to name a few.

If you’re interested and ready for a good God thing, stay connected and let me know you’re interested. I know it would make God feel good.

--Fred