Millennium Development Goals

In 2002, 189 United Nations members (including the United States) and more than two dozen international organizations agreed to a set of eight international development goals that they hoped to achieve by the year 2015. They include cutting extreme poverty in half, reducing child mortality rates, fighting disease epidemics such as AIDS, and developing a global partnership for development. These countries agreed, among other efforts, to devote 0.7% of their annual income to programs that would help accomplish these goals.

We're about at the midpoint in that timeline; how do things stand today? Unfortunately, we have not made the hoped-for progress. The aggregate aid budget of the most developed nations amounts to 0.28% of their gross national income, woefully below the target of 0.7%. According to the New York Times, only Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark currently meet the target. Canada's overseas aid amounts to 0.28% of its income. Japan's aid is 0.17%. Sadly, the United States is at the bottom of the list, spending just 0.16% of its income on development assistance.

How can we help with such overwhelming needs? What can we do? As an Episcopal priest, I would point out that an answer can be found in the catechism (Book of Common Prayer, p. 855): in our duty as Christians "to work, pray and give for the spread of God's kingdom."

• First, we can pray. We can hold in prayer before God the needs we see around us, every day, and ask for guidance in dealing with them.

• Secondly, we can work. Be informed: read, learn, and ask questions. Write a letter to someone in power about your concerns about poverty. Shop ethically: check the source and background of goods and services you buy, and purchase Fair Trade goods where possible. Volunteer your time for organizations working to eradicate poverty.

• And thirdly, we can give: donate money to and/or raise funds for anti-poverty organizations. These can be local, like a food bank or job training program. They can also be national or international, like Episcopal Relief & Development, Oxfam, UNICEF, or WorldVision.

To those who don't think this sounds like "the spread of God's Kingdom" -- who think the MDG's are too worldly, coming out of the United Nations and all-- I would direct you to the Gospel of Matthew:

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.'

Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'

Just Say No

I don't often get actively political on this blog, but today I'm making an exception. After reading this, I sent the following letter. If you are a U.S. citizen, I hope you will look up the contact information for your congressional representatives and do likewise.

Like most Americans, I am very concerned about the current financial crisis facing our economy, and I am eagerly waiting to hear what (if anything) will be done about it.

However, I am appalled at the plan currently proposed by the Bush administration-- one that is, quite frankly, a naked power grab. It would place $700 billion (or more!) into the hands of people whose lack of oversight has contributed to the problem, and then specifically exempt them from any sort of supervision or accountability. From Section 8 of the proposed plan:

"Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency."

With all due respect: to allow such a sum to be spent without review, without accountability and without interference, is to abandon even the pretense of democracy.

The future of hundreds of thousands of people is jeopardized by this crisis, brought on by irresponsible greed and thoughtlessness, and it needs to be dealt with; but agreeing to further unchecked, unmonitored financial actions is in no way the solution.

Photo shoot

A few weeks ago, we met a local woman-- the sister of another acquaintance, actually-- who moved here to be near family, and is starting up her business as a photographer. She took one look at my daughter, and asked if CJ would be willing to pose for her, so she can build her portfolio. CJ has not done anything of the sort before, but readily agreed.

The proofs came back today; and I'm caught halfway between "That's my baby?" and "Yes, of course, we've always known she's gorgeous!"

Here-- see for yourself.

... *ahem* ...

WOOHOO!

Remember that magic number? As of today, it's ZERO.

Now, before you say it, I already know....

• ... it's just step I - the division title.
• ... there's still a lot of post-season to go.
• ... it's only a game.

Even so...

GO CUBS!!

Our house, is a very very very fine house!

Well, perhaps not THAT fine, but it's getting better.

Last week, the Edging Contractor Dude (who cashed the deposit check back at the beginning of June, mind you) finally showed up and did his thing. This is what it looked like when he was done.




Yesterday I ordered mulch and reserved a sod cutter (looks rather like a tiller, but with a different blade).

Today the whole family (some of us happier about it than others, of course) worked on the beds. Dad ran the cutter, while the rest of us (a) picked up what was cut, (b) carted away wheelbarrows full of unwanted sod and rocks, and/or (c) dug up by hand parts the cutter couldn't reach (Dad also helped with this part when cutter duty was done). Then we used the aforementioned wheelbarrows again to deposit the mulch (delivered ON TIME this morning, as promised-- Garden Center Contractor is obviously NOT related to Edging Contractor) around and about. Back on hands and knees to spread a thick layer, and to pull out any missed weeds, and...

Behold, the end result!








We finished 75-80% of the work today, before various commitments took helping hands away. The rest will wait until tomorrow afternoon.

And now, I am headed for SUCH a hot bath!

Advice for Electiontide

Sara Miles, director of ministry and pastoral care at St. Gregory of Nyssa Church in San Francisco, sent this letter to parishioners this week.

It's no secret that there's a lot of time, energy, and money going into stirring up passions around this election. You've read the attacks on Barack Obama and his supporters, on Sarah Palin and John McCain. You've received or sent angry, rumor-filled emails. You've heard or told snarky, hostile jokes about the evils of the other side--whoever "the other side" is for you. You've sat there fuming reading the news or watching TV, and you may even have despaired about the general level of dishonesty, vitriol and division generated by campaigns and their supporters.

I want to ask you to pause and consider how our words and actions during this campaign are going to play out in the years to come. Anger-- especially anger that feels "righteous," when we're raging against injustice and the bad guys-- is addictive. It's hard to let go of. As someone who's lived in wars, during bitter political struggles, and also in post-conflict societies, I can tell you that anger flung around recklessly during a conflict poisons the water of civil society for a long time. And I see how carrying around rage and resentment hurts individuals personally. And as someone who considers herself a part of what we call the Body of Christ, I can tell you that it's impossible to hate a part of that Body without damaging the whole.

So I want to ask you, first, to take a deep breath and pray for your enemies.

Please notice that I'm not asking you to pray that your enemies will repent and see the error of their ways, or that they'll start doing what you think they should do, or that they'll be punished for their wrongdoings. I'm asking you to simply pray for them.

And then I want to ask you, if you feel that the stakes in this election are simply so high that you must do something, to, for God's sake, do something. And by that I don't mean watch more TV, or compulsively follow your favorite political blog. I don't mean forward a nasty email to your friends, or tell a hateful story about the other side to people who agree with you politically.

I mean act. Having a well-developed political opinion is very different than engaging in political action. I urge you to avoid the trap of "right thinking" and ideological purity, and instead to leave your home and your circle of like-minded friends. To get out there and work for your candidate or your cause, going door to door and talking with real live human beings, some of whom will be on the other side politically.

It's always easier to hate the other side when you only talk to people who agree with you. It's harder to demonize people when you have to look them in the face.

And looking people in the face, and honestly listening to what they say--even if you can't stand it---and working as hard as you can for what you believe is right, while praying for your enemies, is really the only way I can see out of the mess our country's in now. I know it's the only way I can escape my own bitterness and self-righteousness.

God willing, I'll be acting this fall. And each morning around eight, during Morning Prayer, I will be praying for all the candidates, and for the people of our country. Please join me.

Amen, and Amen.

(Hat tip to Episcopal Cafe)

Rev Gal Friday Five: Fall Equinox

As this vivid season begins, tell us five favorite things about fall:

1) A fragrance - oh, so many things: the late blooming wildfowers, and burning leaves, and hot apple cider... I even love the scent of the air that hot days and cool nights produce.

2) A color - the brilliant red that some trees turn, back in the midwest. It's one of the few "scenic" things that I miss in Big Sky Country-- that color just doesn't happen here.

3) An item of clothing - Sweatshirts! I love the way they feel, either by themselves or layered over a t-shirt or turtleneck. Something about a sweatshirt feels cozy and sturdy, protected and ready for action, all at the same time.

4) An activity - I'll admit it-- the first thing I thought of was a football game. I am not really huge fan of the sport, but there is something about going to a game on a brisk fall day, with a blanket and a thermos full of hot chocolate or cider, that feels just marvelous.

5) A special day - Our son was a fall baby, so we look forward to his days (birthday and adoption day) in October. Then there's All Saints' Day, which is actually one of my favorite feasts on the calendar.

Ike has a long reach

We continue to hold the good people of Texas in prayer... but now we're adding "back home" to the list.


This is a neighborhood about a half-mile north of our old house.

Lord, have mercy.

SEVEN

After last night, that's the magic number.


Don't mind me... I'll be over here, holding my breath.

Seven years ago today...

...I was dropping off our children (son at his grade school, daughter at her middle school) and then headed to my own job as a tutorial aide and sub at another school. The whipsaw contrast of that day, between the images of death and destruction and "teaching a class full of innocent children," still leaves me wordless.

So I'll let Alan Jackson do the rest.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA.
Did you stand there in shock
at the site of that black smoke
rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger,
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?

Did you burst out in pride
For the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doing what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man.
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran.
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young:
Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children;
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor?
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you dust off that bible at home?

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages?
Speak with some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow?
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you were watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger?
Stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
And thank God you had somebody to love?

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man.
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran.
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young:
Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love.

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man.
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran.
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young:
Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love.

The greatest is love.
The greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

First day of school - Part II

Last week was middle school; this week is college.

"Don't you ever quit, Mom?"






Well, now that you mention it... no, not really.