Someone has asked how to get a copy of the original letter from Todd Cone. You can check with the EE and possibly get a copy. Today a friend sent a copy to me, but I cannot seem to copy it to my blog. If you send me an email address, I can send it to you. Just write to leestephens@episcopalbartlesville.org. I will get it to you soon.
Peace.
Fr. Lee+
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Letter to the Editor 10/7/11
Dear Editor,
On Monday, October 3rd, I read one of the most scandalous letters to the editor I have ever seen. The writer, Todd Cone, was open and articulate with his views. However, if this represents our community and country, we are in serious trouble.
I won’t get into the presidential politics of the letter. Promoting or demonizing candidates from either party is not my way or role. Nor will I get into his critical views of democracy and what appears to be the promotion of a modern-day “feudalism” and call to “class warfare.”
What I found especially troubling was his characterization of people who struggle every day to survive in poverty. He referred to them as “looters,” ungrateful users of food stamps and free health care and people to have babies just to “keep the gravy train of government handouts coming.” The writer also suggests the poor could/will vote for people who will increase their “largess out of the public treasury.”
The lens through which the writer views his fellow citizens shows he does not understand what life is like in poverty and the implications of “generational poverty.” Or, perhaps he is simply using this stereotype of the poor as political leverage. In truth most of the people in poverty, don’t vote. They are simply trying to survive day after day without knowing how to do life any other way.
The letter also sounds heartless to me. There is not even a hint of compassion – much less Christian compassion. I know nothing of the writer’s faith, but I know where Jesus spent most of his time – with the poor and outcasts of society who suffered immeasurably under the abusive power of not only the Roman Empire but the “elite” of their own people.
The writer made a big point that no one on welfare has ever told him “thank you” for all the “handouts.” The writer would do well to learn what life is really like in poverty. The best way to learn is to befriend people in poverty and let them teach you. I know that personally through involvement with Bridges Out of Poverty. I have met some amazing people and learned much about life through them.
If that happened, the writer might develop an “informed compassion” and give himself to helping his neighbors become a self-sufficient citizens. He could volunteer through Bridges, Vision Onward, Martha’s Task, Agape Mission, CONCERN, and other efforts to help the poor. The experience might very well change them and him.
The number of people in poverty is at an all time high and growing – and yes, some use the system. Turning the tide will only happen through OUR understanding poverty, informed compassion and personal involvement. Come, let us work together in making a difference person to person.
Fr. Lee Stephens
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
On Monday, October 3rd, I read one of the most scandalous letters to the editor I have ever seen. The writer, Todd Cone, was open and articulate with his views. However, if this represents our community and country, we are in serious trouble.
I won’t get into the presidential politics of the letter. Promoting or demonizing candidates from either party is not my way or role. Nor will I get into his critical views of democracy and what appears to be the promotion of a modern-day “feudalism” and call to “class warfare.”
What I found especially troubling was his characterization of people who struggle every day to survive in poverty. He referred to them as “looters,” ungrateful users of food stamps and free health care and people to have babies just to “keep the gravy train of government handouts coming.” The writer also suggests the poor could/will vote for people who will increase their “largess out of the public treasury.”
The lens through which the writer views his fellow citizens shows he does not understand what life is like in poverty and the implications of “generational poverty.” Or, perhaps he is simply using this stereotype of the poor as political leverage. In truth most of the people in poverty, don’t vote. They are simply trying to survive day after day without knowing how to do life any other way.
The letter also sounds heartless to me. There is not even a hint of compassion – much less Christian compassion. I know nothing of the writer’s faith, but I know where Jesus spent most of his time – with the poor and outcasts of society who suffered immeasurably under the abusive power of not only the Roman Empire but the “elite” of their own people.
The writer made a big point that no one on welfare has ever told him “thank you” for all the “handouts.” The writer would do well to learn what life is really like in poverty. The best way to learn is to befriend people in poverty and let them teach you. I know that personally through involvement with Bridges Out of Poverty. I have met some amazing people and learned much about life through them.
If that happened, the writer might develop an “informed compassion” and give himself to helping his neighbors become a self-sufficient citizens. He could volunteer through Bridges, Vision Onward, Martha’s Task, Agape Mission, CONCERN, and other efforts to help the poor. The experience might very well change them and him.
The number of people in poverty is at an all time high and growing – and yes, some use the system. Turning the tide will only happen through OUR understanding poverty, informed compassion and personal involvement. Come, let us work together in making a difference person to person.
Fr. Lee Stephens
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Sunday, July 31, 2011
A Possible Debt Deat -- Our Sickness Revealed
And so, Washington reached a tentative agreement on the debt ceiling. Why don't I feel better? We are sick. I am amazed at how much time I have spent watching and reading about all of this -- another sign of the sickness. Regardless of how "the" vote goes tomorrow, the real question is whether or not this messy fracture in our governmenal processes will lead to true reform and vision for our country -- and I don't mean "Tea Party" reform or more misuse of power that continues to broaden the gap between the rich and the middle class --not to mention the poor. I am less and less confident. As I often ask, where is God in this? At the moment, I don't know, but I seriously doubt it is in D.C.
.
.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Good Feedback for St. Luke's
Note from CA visitors to St. Luke's (pardon my bragging): My wife and I were tremendously impressed with the entire experience at St. Luke's. The whole feeling of community was great and we really liked the sermon. The church is great -- a wonder aura of friendliness and service. Sincerely, Phil and Rose
Friday, June 10, 2011
Happens Saturday -- Don't miss it!
Experience Trumpets!
"Take an outing with Trumpet and Organ!" We are going to travel through a wide range of composers' music as we interact with you through the complex, tongue and cheek, and hilarious compositions that fill our repertoire. Bring your children as well as your Grandparents as there will be captivating interest for all. Dr. Goforth and Dolores McCreary have performed together often and are a returning favorite for the OK Mozart Festival. They are known for their fresh presentations that leave their audiences with an appreciation for the art we all love.
Saturday, June 11, 2:00pm-3:30pm
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
$8 adults, $4 children
"Take an outing with Trumpet and Organ!" We are going to travel through a wide range of composers' music as we interact with you through the complex, tongue and cheek, and hilarious compositions that fill our repertoire. Bring your children as well as your Grandparents as there will be captivating interest for all. Dr. Goforth and Dolores McCreary have performed together often and are a returning favorite for the OK Mozart Festival. They are known for their fresh presentations that leave their audiences with an appreciation for the art we all love.
Saturday, June 11, 2:00pm-3:30pm
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
$8 adults, $4 children
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Spiritual Cinema Circle at St. Luke's
The film shorts are well written and nicely portrayed. Each one seems to take a slice of life and simply magnifies it for everyone to see. The filmmaker uses skills of perception and technology to make the situation to come to life. Meanwhile, we eagerly position ourselves to do more than just watch. We want to engage the film even as it seeks to engage us in a matter of only ten to fifteen minutes.
One can enjoy the film as simply a story depicting something of a life situation. That is gratifying up to a point and nothing more. You may also search for some moral to the story. After all, there must be some reason for choosing this living portrait. We are supposed to get “something” out of it. Indeed the discussion following a film short can go many different directions. The more participants viewing, the more “somethings” may be seen and shared.
Yet, the film short series we are using in the Summer Discipleship Forum is entitled “Spiritual Cinema Circle.” The films do provide some kind of story. They also encourage insights about life that challenge us to see things in a different way and perhaps grow. To use the term “spiritual” suggests that we are being invited to go even deeper. God often isn’t mentioned but God is often very present. Salvation isn’t preached, but transformation, on the screen and in us, is often happening.
These Spiritual Cinema films invite, sometime pull, us to a deeper level concerning the meaning of life. Though our desire is often covered by the busyness of our lives, we all want to understand and live into the meaning of life for us. And, as a Community of Faith, we naturally understand that involves God (by whatever name), people (of all kinds) and every day life (unending varieties).
So, in any given film we may be challenged intellectually and/or touched emotionally by what we experience, but one must ask is there something more – deeper – relevant – transforming? If God is in all things and moments and relationships, is there something to be experienced of the divine? If we all share in a common humanity even as different as we are, are there lessons and connections we share with each other. And, if every day opportunities, circumstances, choices, relationships and surprises compose the stuff of our lives, shouldn’t we be asking what is really important and what does it all mean?
The Spiritual Cinema Circle experience may raise actually more questions than answers, but I believe we will come away blessed, changed and more sensitive to all of the above. This should not be approached in a “ponderous” way, but with a serious and playful desire to go deeper in our faith and in life.
Come and join in this summertime experiment with Spiritual Cinema on Sunday mornings in the Discipleship Forum at 9:15. This is a gathering where everyone knows your name and wants to hear what you have to say. Don’t be late.
Blessings,
Fr. Lee+
One can enjoy the film as simply a story depicting something of a life situation. That is gratifying up to a point and nothing more. You may also search for some moral to the story. After all, there must be some reason for choosing this living portrait. We are supposed to get “something” out of it. Indeed the discussion following a film short can go many different directions. The more participants viewing, the more “somethings” may be seen and shared.
Yet, the film short series we are using in the Summer Discipleship Forum is entitled “Spiritual Cinema Circle.” The films do provide some kind of story. They also encourage insights about life that challenge us to see things in a different way and perhaps grow. To use the term “spiritual” suggests that we are being invited to go even deeper. God often isn’t mentioned but God is often very present. Salvation isn’t preached, but transformation, on the screen and in us, is often happening.
These Spiritual Cinema films invite, sometime pull, us to a deeper level concerning the meaning of life. Though our desire is often covered by the busyness of our lives, we all want to understand and live into the meaning of life for us. And, as a Community of Faith, we naturally understand that involves God (by whatever name), people (of all kinds) and every day life (unending varieties).
So, in any given film we may be challenged intellectually and/or touched emotionally by what we experience, but one must ask is there something more – deeper – relevant – transforming? If God is in all things and moments and relationships, is there something to be experienced of the divine? If we all share in a common humanity even as different as we are, are there lessons and connections we share with each other. And, if every day opportunities, circumstances, choices, relationships and surprises compose the stuff of our lives, shouldn’t we be asking what is really important and what does it all mean?
The Spiritual Cinema Circle experience may raise actually more questions than answers, but I believe we will come away blessed, changed and more sensitive to all of the above. This should not be approached in a “ponderous” way, but with a serious and playful desire to go deeper in our faith and in life.
Come and join in this summertime experiment with Spiritual Cinema on Sunday mornings in the Discipleship Forum at 9:15. This is a gathering where everyone knows your name and wants to hear what you have to say. Don’t be late.
Blessings,
Fr. Lee+
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Landon Paul Stephens has been born!
Landon Paul Stephens was born today to our youngest son, Jason, and his wife, Erica in Kansas City. He is a healthy 7 lbs 1oz and 19 inches long. We have not heard how his three year old sister, Savannah, is handling all of this. We are grateful for all four of them -- really happy grandparents again. We will hold Landon in two weeks.
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