tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61042341240460130182024-03-13T02:28:35.024-04:00Get Out of the Ark!Discovering God and Faith Inside and Outside of the ChurchThe Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-29862799664294449562017-05-01T15:25:00.000-04:002017-05-31T15:26:52.930-04:00"We Had Hoped..."<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">
<i>This reflection was written for the Devotions From Home series of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. It is intended to be a synopsis of the Sunday sermon sent to those who can not make it to church regularly. Audio of sermons and other material can be found at <a href="http://www.stpaulspgh.org./" style="color: #771100; text-decoration-line: none;">www.stpaulspgh.org.</a></i></div>
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Easter 3 - April 30th</div>
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“We Had Hoped…,” said the two disciples as they ran out of
Jerusalem on the way the Emmaus. Maybe
some of the saddest words in Luke’s gospel, or all of scripture. It is in the past tenses. The hope is gone. Lost. With the events in Jerusalem the days before
seemed so dark, all hope had ended. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In a way, I think we all have been on that road to Emmaus at
one time or another. When “We Had
Hoped…” When the cancer came back, the job never materialized, the degree
seemed wasted, the friend never got better, the child was never born, the
marriage ended. When “we had hoped…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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And that is right where Jesus met them. He met the disciples when they were: sad,
distraught and angry. And they didn’t even know it. Until, they all broke bread together. And their eyes were opened, to see that God
in Jesus was right there with them all along.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We break bread as followers of Jesus so that we can see the
presence of God in our lives and world.
We break this bread together so that we can have, in the words of the
Reverend John Thomas, “Food for the Journey.” Food for the journey of life that
can help us see God’s hands at work in our lives and the life of the
world. So that we can know hope. Hope that we can share with the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last week in a TED Talk Pope Francis said:<o:p></o:p></div>
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“To Christians, the future does have a name, and its name is
Hope. Feeling hopeful does not mean to be optimistically naïve and ignore the
tragedy humanity is facing. Hope is the virtue of a heart that doesn't lock
itself into darkness, that doesn't dwell on the past, does not simply get by in
the present, but is able to see a tomorrow. Hope is the door that opens onto
the future. Hope is a humble, hidden seed of life that, with time, will develop
into a large tree. It is like some invisible yeast that allows the whole dough
to grow, that brings flavor to all aspects of life. And it can do so much,
because a tiny flicker of light that feeds on hope is enough to shatter the
shield of darkness. A single individual is enough for hope to exist, and that
individual can be you. And then there will be another "you," and
another "you," and it turns into an "us." And so, does hope
begin when we have an "us?" No. Hope began with one "you."
When there is an "us," there begins a revolution. “ <o:p></o:p></div>
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A revolution a love, kindness and compassion. Which is what our hurting world needs more
than ever right now.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
The Reverend Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193900812415314169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-8812351249104840422017-04-17T15:27:00.000-04:002017-05-31T15:28:16.690-04:00Resurrection Eyes <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">
<i>This reflection was written for the Devotions From Home series of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. It is intended to be a synopsis of the Sunday sermon sent to those who can not make it to church regularly. Audio of sermons and other material can be found at <a href="http://www.stpaulspgh.org./" style="color: #771100; text-decoration-line: none;">www.stpaulspgh.org.</a></i></div>
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Easter Sunday - April 16</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">We live in a world that sends us messages, that teaches us stories
– stories that limit our vision. Stories about violence being a solution,
stories about how success is measured through what we have, what we own,
stories about thin being better, busyness being a sign of value or strength,
and that protecting what is ours, should happen at any cost, and death always
wins. Stories that can shape our
reality, shape our vision. Limit our reality, limit our vision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">We all can so easily become stuck, whatever the reason. Become stuck in a vision that is shallow, or
enclosed. A vision where we cannot see
that there will ever be a way out, another way to go, an alternate way to live. A vision where death has won, and life seems
to have lost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">That’s where Hope comes in.
That’s where we need resurrection eyes to see. Eyes that see new life coming out of death,
renewal out of destruction, hope in despair. <span class="apple-style-span">Easter
prods and provokes us with an immense stretching exercise. God has renewed a
life given to the evil of this world on behalf of those with no other helper.
That earth-shattering and tomb-shattering rebirth has planted the seeds of hope
in each one of us. Yet those seeds do not produce fruit without struggle.</span> We learn, we practice, we develop those
resurrection eyes. <span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Seeing the world through the eyes of God, through the eyes of
resurrection is hard work. A few years
ago, our former Presiding Bishop, Katherine Jefferts Schori says ”<span class="apple-style-span">We are not born with the ability to insist on
resurrection everywhere we turn. It takes the discipline and repetition that
forms an athlete – in this case, a spiritually fit Christian. We practice our
faith because we must – it withers and atrophies unless it's stretched. We must
continue to give evidence of the faith that is within us.” And this is not something you can do
alone. The shared hope of a community is
essential.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">The Christian community is meant to be a “mutual hope society,”
with each one offering courage to another whose hope has waned, insisting that
even in the darkest of night, new life is being prepared. A community <span class="apple-style-span">showing us that there is no experience, there is no
evil, no loss, no dark place – that God cannot bring new life out of. </span>That work of learning Hope is constant
– it will not end until the end of all things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Together we can shout, "Alleluia, he is risen! Indeed, he is
risen, Alleluia!" even when some among us are not quite so confident as
others. Even when some struggle, as
others rejoice. The entire community is
rising and risen when even a small part of it can rejoice and insist that God
is renewing the face of the earth, and their own lives, and light has dawned upon us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Reverend Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193900812415314169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-21165686781618064512017-04-10T15:23:00.000-04:002017-05-31T15:24:13.498-04:00What procession will we follow?<div>
<i>This reflection was written for the Devotions From Home series of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. It is intended to be a synopsis of the Sunday sermon sent to those who can not make it to church regularly. Audio of sermons and other material can be found at <a href="http://www.stpaulspgh.org./">www.stpaulspgh.org.</a></i></div>
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April 9 - Palm Sunday</div>
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The population of Jerusalem swelled during the days
surrounding the Passover. Some scholars
say the city grew from 20,000 to 150,000 people during those days. You can probably imagine the streets crowded
with pilgrims, merchants, tourists and residents. Since the Passover was a festival remembering
the Hebrew people’s liberation from another oppressive ruler, the Roman
governor always got a little anxious around this time of year. Due to all of this, the Roman Governor, Pontius
Pilate, increased the size of the garrison in Jerusalem. So the day before the Passover each year a
column of Roman military would process from the West into Jerusalem, with their
swords and chariots and the beating of drums. This procession was meant to
strike fear in the hearts of those who saw it – a statement of Rome’s power and
might!<o:p></o:p></div>
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On this first Palm Sunday, there was another
procession. This time from the East,
down the Mount of Olives. It was led by
a different kind of king, riding on a donkey. Crowds of peasants from the
countryside joined him, and they laid branches of palms on the road as he
walked. It was a procession of peace, of
justice and humility. Some scholars say this procession was an intentional
counter-protest to the procession entering from the West that day. A sign of peace, in the face of military
might.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The story of Jesus’ passion is a story of the conflict
between these two processions, and all that they represent. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The question for us this Holy Week, and each day, is what
procession will we follow? <o:p></o:p></div>
The Reverend Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193900812415314169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-12800952526568490882017-01-21T09:17:00.000-05:002017-01-21T09:17:20.092-05:00Join in the Conversation this New Year!<i>This article ran in the January 19, 2017 edition of the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiYjdzTttPRAhXLRiYKHTzRA1QQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedford.wickedlocal.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNFlSA8pFzkh4qtgcDt3Qbulg3DXHQ&sig2=faxHcwEk8QNQCZpKlYzG7g" target="_blank">Medford Transcript.</a> (A6)</i><br />
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Join in the Conversation this New Year!<br />
The Reverend Noah H. Evans, Rector, Grace Episcopal Church<br />
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Between Christmas and New Years I had some time off from work. During this special week, I was able to unplug from the internet, email and social media. With this sudden openness in my daily life and work tied to electronic jungle of our 21st century culture - I found space and time to rediscover the special old time work of conversation. Spending time joining in conversation with family, friends, and some people I had not seen in years reminded me about the depth of experience and perspective of others that unfolds in conversation. How conversation opens me to see the entire person - not just their positions, or sound bites, or social media statuses. Conversation leads to connection, and I have come to believe, real connection with others changes us. This time in conversation brought me back to why I am involved in the Medford Conversation Project - a project to help convene diverse conversation all across our city.<br />
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Medford Conversations is a coalition of more than 20 community groups, whose mission is to include and actively engage a multiplicity of voices in our community. Through conversations, the project hopes to encourage people to create and act on visions for a sustainable, just, and thriving Medford.<br />
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I have served at Grace Episcopal Church in Medford for almost nine years, and in just that time I have seen the City change tremendously. Looking back at Medford over the last 25 years, the transformation of the city's demographics is even more profound. As a result of this significant community change, in my experience, social networks in our city are underdeveloped, especially across geography, ethnic and generational differences. And sometime we see that civic involvement is low. Often times people don't know their neighbors, or the perspectives of people who live in other parts of the city. Connections between people across religious, ethnic and socio- economic difference are weak. The extraordinary diversity of Medford is a real gift and asset, and we have an extraordinary opportunity right now for a rich social fabric as we find ways to connect across our difference. I see Medford Conversations as a way to connect and learn from one another and strengthen the civic and cultural life of our City. As a result of our conversations, I am hoping to see a strengthening of our civic society and civic involvement. I also hope to see all of us have a greater understanding of the joys and challenges of living and working together in a diverse community, and be willing to "lean in" to what we need to do to have a just and equitable community. <br />
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This winter Medford Conversions is holding its first conversation series. Building on the past work of supporting single-time conversation events (Arts Summit (’15), MLK Day (’16) Envision Medford (’16), and World Café at Medford High (’16)) Medford Conversations seeks to bring together groups of 10 or so meeting in several sessions with a trained facilitator over a several month period. It is our hope that engaging in this type of ongoing in-depth conversation will help to build relationships and understanding in our community that can lead to action for the betterment of all.<br />
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Our winter Conversation series "Who Belongs? Dialogues about Race and Ethnicity in Medford and Beyond" begins with an opening event on Sunday, January 29, 2017, 2-4:30PM at Medford High School. Everyone is invited to this event, whether they are able to participate in ongoing conversations or not. Over the following six weeks dozens of people in small groups will meet around the city to further their discussion. We conclude with a citywide event on March 12 with an action forum to ‘walk the talk’ to make Medford an even greater place to live. Come join the effort, what better way to kick off the New Year. For more information, and to register, visit http://medfordconversations.org/. <br />
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<br />The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-21605984034153789502016-11-09T09:43:00.001-05:002016-11-09T09:48:58.513-05:00Standing with Standing Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Standing with Standing Rock</b><br />
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A version of this blog post appeared in the <a href="http://medford.wickedlocal.com/news/20161108/medford-grace-episcopals-noah-evans-on-trip-to-protest-dakota-access-pipeline" target="_blank">Medford Transcript </a>on 11/10/16<br />
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It was night, on November 2nd, when we first pulled over the hill and could see the Oceti Sakowin camp. The sky was black, filled with stars. The river flats below were dotted with campfires, and I could see the shadows of tents, trailers and tepees below. Smoke from the campfires filled the air, and I recognized the pungent smell of burning sage. I could hear the sound of Native American singing, and many different drum circles echoing in the cold North Dakota air. Over 2000 people were staying in the camp that night. The camp was established last spring as an act of opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline, bringing together dozens of Native American tribes and environmental activists from across the country. The residents refer to themselves as “Water Protectors,” guarding the water of the Missouri River, the lifeblood of the Standing Rock Lakota tribe. And then I looked up and saw it on the hill past the camp: the white stadium lights blaring down on the construction site. President Obama had asked that construction be voluntarily suspended, but the work continued as the pipeline inched towards the Missouri River.<br />
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Standing Rock is a place I feel deep connection to. I have been to there several times. A friend and mentor of mine served as the Episcopal priest on the South Dakota side of the reservation for a number of years. I had a classmate who was from Standing Rock. During seminary, he died suddenly, and dozens of people from the reservation traveled to New York for the funeral, and we hosted many, including the ceremonial drum in our one bedroom apartment for several days.<br />
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Last week, the Reverend John Floberg, the Episcopal priest serving on the North Dakota side of the Standing Rock reservation, issued a call to clergy across the country to join with him for an action against the proposed Dakota pipeline which crosses sacred Lakota lands, and threatens the water of the Standing Rock reservation. He had hoped for 100, and more than 500 came. I was joined by over 25 clergy from Massachusetts, with 15 from the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. The action was prayerful, peaceful, nonviolent.<br />
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The Dakota Access pipeline is a 1,170 mile, $3.7 billion pipeline that is slated to cross 4 states to bring North Dakota oil into Illinois for distribution around the world. The pipeline is planned to go under the Missouri River, less than a mile a mile north of the current Standing Rock reservation land, crossing land that is said to be Lakota land by their 1851 treaty with the United States Government. The Standing Rock tribe fear that the pipeline will pollute their drinking water, and its route crosses land that is sacred to their tribe. Original plans showed the pipeline crossing the river north of Bismarck, but it was moved south when the people of the town feared it would pollute their water. The current route is a textbook example of environmental racism, moving environmental risk from whites to vulnerable minorities. This pipeline is just the newest expression of generations of violence against native people. Environmental groups have also joined this movement in order to prevent the pipeline to be built at all, to help keep carbon resources that contribute to climate change in the ground.<br />
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On the morning of the action, we gathered at Standing Rock and representatives from different Christian denominations read statements of repudiation of the “Doctrine of Discovery,” the church and legal doctrine that white Christian colonists used to usurp lands from indigenous peoples. From there we marched to the now-blockaded bridge over Cannon Ball River that separates the Oceti Sakowin camp from the pipeline site. This bridge also connects the Standing Rock reservation with hospitals and services in Bismarck, and its closure has led to a 40 mile detour for all emergency vehicles. On one side of the bridge we sang, prayed and offered testimonials. On the other side armored police vehicles, police with automatic weapons and more than 20 police vans kept watch. In recent days police response to protesters have been marked by violence and militarized police tactics, including use of tear gas and pepper spray and use of rubber bullets. The day after the clergy demonstration, two rows of razor wire and concrete barricades were added as well. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, had referred to Standing Rock as “our new Selma.” Standing on that bridge, I knew that to be true.<br />
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In contrast to the militarized bridge, Oceti Sakowin camp is a place of extraordinary hospitality, healing and peace. People at the camp refer to everyone as “relatives.” Everyone at the camp is fed and given shelter. Donations of food, clothing, tents and supplies are constantly being delivered from across the country. An elder over a loudspeaker calls out when someone needs a ride or other help, to connect them to those who can provide assistance. There are workshops for healing from trauma and addiction. People from different Native American tribes are finding connection, healing, purpose and cultural revival through the life of the camp. It is a stark contrast to the violence being done on the hill above, violence against the earth and against native peoples.<br />
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The Obama administration has said it will now look into rerouting the pipeline. There is some hope there for a positive outcome, but public pressure and support of the Water Protectors in the Oceti Sakowin camp must continue as well. And even if the pipeline is moved, native communities will still need our witness and solidarity in the future. I have found that there are moments in a life of faith, and life as a citizen, where we have to stand with a larger community in solidarity with people who are being marginalized, and this is one of those moments.</div>
The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-61211386967463786292016-11-06T09:46:00.000-05:002016-11-09T09:47:05.986-05:00Boston Globe coverage of Boston Clergy presence at Standing Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Boston Globe ran an article about the Boston clergy presence at Standing Rock on Saturday, November 4, 2017</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/11/04/massachusetts-clergy-join-pipeline-protest-north-dakota/pYTXV9ZWyF9hc9XAaqRJCI/story.html" target="_blank">Massachusetts clergy join pipeline protest in North Dakota</a></h1>
The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-66359890170286220492016-11-03T08:07:00.000-04:002016-11-03T08:07:42.571-04:00Gathering of Friends: first day at Standing Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<br />
Last night we gathered in the gym in Canon Ball, North Dakota with almost 500 religious leaders from many denominations and faiths, to eat and learn a little more about the events we are to participate in over the next days.<br />
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The Rev. John Floberg, Episcopal Priest on Standing Rock, told us how he had prayed for 100 people to come and is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. A local historian told us the history of the sacred lands the proposed Dakota pipeline is to cross, including centuries of the life of villages and life on the land. <br />
<br />
We also heard about how today we would first join in a witness to our denouncing of the Doctrine of Discovery, which is the 16th century church doctrine which has been used to colonize the Americas, marginalize native peoples, and has been golden into American cultural perspectives, which has led to this pipeline to being built here. <br />
<br />
We will then gather in a sacred circle of prayer on the site of the camp that was violently cleared last week, in an expression of solidarity for the native people of the region, and standing against the pipeline's construction.<br />
<br />
Many familiar faces from across the church were there, and many new friends and relationships being born. It is good for us to be here.The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-65767702431043408382016-11-01T15:46:00.002-04:002016-11-01T16:01:24.584-04:00Traveling to Stand in Solidarity with Standing Rock <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFh6nfpGKCRWKnyl1Opp3slAawofEqXNFa-aKuB328zaF1d62pv4oTgftDTJbktriqP7uWfX8rjEMSU1cVmIcWo9AW4bCYCNDXymM8Fufc08-KAClA9h_YdQLH5-T0vuh1iofxT4YKYdI/s1600/unnamed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFh6nfpGKCRWKnyl1Opp3slAawofEqXNFa-aKuB328zaF1d62pv4oTgftDTJbktriqP7uWfX8rjEMSU1cVmIcWo9AW4bCYCNDXymM8Fufc08-KAClA9h_YdQLH5-T0vuh1iofxT4YKYdI/s1600/unnamed2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial to Chief Gall who invited<br />
the Episcopal Church onto<br />
Standing Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last week, the Reverend John Floberg, the Episcopal priest serving on the North Dakota side of the Standing Rock reservation, </span><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/10/28/episcopal-church-called-to-stand-with-standing-rock-on-nov-3/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">issued a call</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to clergy across the country to join with him for an action against the proposed Dakota pipeline which crosses sacred Lakota lands, and threatens the water of the Standing Rock reservation. This week, I will be traveling with over a dozen individuals, both lay and ordained, from the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts to join in this action.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn36YiFn4sgHonwwJ2tENb4ij_8WBnC0tmudKYzTRNbAamrBa4F3Nmq3rcMeRGNE0dzVbkiyQFHmBD7vueAwMlSknujNs-XEUjtMCia4W_SP2n7wqK_IZq_LZKU2biePSwSs1BXEnIhg/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn36YiFn4sgHonwwJ2tENb4ij_8WBnC0tmudKYzTRNbAamrBa4F3Nmq3rcMeRGNE0dzVbkiyQFHmBD7vueAwMlSknujNs-XEUjtMCia4W_SP2n7wqK_IZq_LZKU2biePSwSs1BXEnIhg/s1600/unnamed.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Elizabeth's, Wakpala, SD<br />
on Standing Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Standing Rock is a place I feel deep connection to. I have been to the Standing Rock reservation several times. My friend and mentor, the Rev. Robert Schwarz, served as the Episcopal priest on the South Dakota side of the reservation for a number of years. Sara and my kids visited him and his wife Jean there, we had a chance to meet the people who lived there, and visited their churches. Also, in seminary Sara and I had a classmate, Hal Clark, who was from Standing Rock. During our first year, he died suddenly, and dozens of people from the reservation traveled to New York for the funeral, and we hosted many, including the ceremonial drum in our one bedroom apartment for several days.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2Ldy4QiyNgRIWchNg8I6nP-kZCgQ4Bk8vkHN4sy0kgjEu8DHZWl-_0ZCNqSZrTDHmnVzlWRcwpag8kM7_Be_ZUhhRsHglPzpxVr8tQhonCiMR6jgCXT8yHrC42lXWdAiUdOufNxiJgM/s1600/unnamed3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2Ldy4QiyNgRIWchNg8I6nP-kZCgQ4Bk8vkHN4sy0kgjEu8DHZWl-_0ZCNqSZrTDHmnVzlWRcwpag8kM7_Be_ZUhhRsHglPzpxVr8tQhonCiMR6jgCXT8yHrC42lXWdAiUdOufNxiJgM/s1600/unnamed3.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the news last week of the escalating actions by officials against the Standing Rock Water Protectors, I was kept awake at night about how to respond from so far away. Hearing of peaceful protesters teargassed, shot with rubber bullets and violently arrested was deeply disturbing. I am aware of both of the </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/29/opinion/why-dakota-is-the-new-keystone.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-right-region&region=opinion-c-col-right-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region&_r=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">environmental and human rights issues</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> at play here - and also feel that this happening to people and a place I feel so connected to there must be a way to participate in taking action. A colleague reached out to me and said she was interested in going, and Sara and I offered to fund her trip. I asked my Bishop, Alan Gates, if he would also pay for someone to go if I could recruit them. He said he would send two people. It snowballed from there, and my Vestry said they would pay for me to go - so now a large delegation will be traveling from Boston to meet up with almost 400 others in Standing Rock. </span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-a3271d11-215f-6267-5f8e-2f6f2e391322"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please keep us in prayer this week, and I will update this blog as the journey unfolds. Here is the sermon I preached on Sunday about deciding to go on this trip:</span></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/290721100&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-38675468802208855352016-09-26T12:00:00.001-04:002016-09-26T19:53:47.486-04:00A Celebration of Rainbows, Medford’s Diversity, and the Perfection of
God’s Creation<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A Celebration of Rainbows,
Medford’s Diversity, and the Perfection of God’s Creation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The following is an open
letter from members of the Medford Interfaith Clergy Association in response to
a Letter to the Editor from Pastor Thomas Michael, printed in the Transcript,
Thursday, September 15, 2016. This letter appeared in the September 22 Medford Transcript. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Mayor Burke and Medford Friends,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are grateful for the affirmation of Medford’s LGBTQIA citizens
represented by the rainbow banner hanging at City Hall. That positive act of support
and pride was celebrated by all of us and many members of our congregations. In
fact, we hope there will be an even larger rainbow banner next year! Thank you
for this witness to our city’s commitment to justice and equality for all.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As seminary trained and denominationally ordained leaders of
both Christian and Jewish faith communities in Medford we are compelled to
offer an alternative perspective to that represented by Pastor Thomas Michael
in his September 15 Letter to the Editor. While his letter presumes to speak
for all “all sincere Bible believing Christians” and all “God-fearing taxpayers
in Medford” we can assure you that it does not. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are faith leaders who believe that all of God’s creation
is made in God’s image. We affirm the wholeness of LBGTQIA persons and support
the caring and loving relationships in which they may be engaged. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are religious practitioners who are guided by scripture. We
each do this in different ways through our varied traditions. We each, though, have come to a similar
conclusion of our support of the full inclusion of LBGTQIA persons in our faith
communities and civic life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scripture tells us to “love kindness, seek justice and walk
humbly with God.” (Micah 6:8). As such, we have learned not to attempt to speak
for other representatives of our faith traditions. Together, we reject hate,
work for justice and do our best to lead with love. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We pray, during this time of political division and tension
in our community over difference and change, that our Medford neighbors know
that we are here amongst you, praying and working unceasingly for the welfare
of our city and the well-being of all of her people. We are here, loving God
and loving you, our neighbors, <u>all</u> of our neighbors. May it be so for
all and with all. May God bless you and keep you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rev. Dr. Maggie Arnold, Assistant Rector, Grace Episcopal Church</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rev. Gerald
Bell, Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rev. Brenda
Bennett, Pastor, Community Baptist Church<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rabbi Braham
David, Rabbi, Temple Shalom<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rev. Dr.
Dorothy Emerson, Unitarian Universalist<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rev. Noah
Evans, Rector, Grace Episcopal Church<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rev.
Tony-Jarek Glidden, Pastor, Community Methodist Church<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rev. Thomas
Hathaway, Pastor, North Prospect Union Ujnited Church of Christ<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rev. David
Kilpatrick, Pastor, West Medford Baptist Church<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rev. Wendy
Miller Olapade, Lead Pastor, Sanctuary United Church of Christ<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rev. Lambert
Rahming, Community Minister, Sanctuary United Church of Christ<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rev. Matthew
Rasure, Pastor, First Baptist Church</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rabbi Talya Weisbard Shalem, Medford Resident and Rabbi<o:p></o:p></div>
The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-45488642069297086732016-03-03T11:04:00.003-05:002016-03-03T11:04:36.700-05:00Green Burial in Medford<div>
The movement to allow "Green Burials" at Oak Grove Cemetery is moving forward. This is an important effort to provide this option in our city for both cultural and environmental reason. Read more about this movement here!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Local Press on Green Burials:</b></div>
<a href="http://medford.wickedlocal.com/news/20160303/medford-city-council-local-clergy-want-plan-for-green-burials" target="_blank">Medford City Council, local clergy want plan for green burials</a><div>
<a href="http://medford.wickedlocal.com/article/20160114/NEWS/160118771" target="_blank">Medford resident requests space for natural burial at Oak Grove</a><br /><a href="http://medford.wickedlocal.com/article/20160114/NEWS/160118809" target="_blank">GREEN BURIALS: Movement for natural burial gathers steam across U.S., Massachusetts</a><br />
<b>Members of the Medford Interfaith Clergy sent the following letter to the Trustees of Oak Grove Cemetery:</b><br />
<br />
Medford Interfaith Clergy<br />
c/o the Reverend Noah H. Evans<br />
Grace Episcopal Church<br />
160 High Street Medford, MA 02155<br />
<br />
February 15, 2016<br />
<br />
James McDevitt, Chair, Oak Grove Cemetery Board of Trustees<br />
Stacie Clayton, Vice Chair, Oak Grove Cemetery Board of Trustees<br />
Susan Dee, Oak Grove Cemetery Board of Trustees<br />
<br />
Dear Members of Oak Grove Cemetery Board of Trustees:<br />
<br />
We write to you today as the faith leaders of the City of Medford, the people who are often given the privilege and responsibility at presiding at the funeral and burials of many people in Oak Grove cemetery. Oak Grove is a beautiful cemetery and truly an important part of the spiritual and religious fabric of our City. We are aware that for a number of reason the practice of “green burial” has been brought to your attention. We are writing you today in encouragement and support of the Board of Trustees of Oak Grove Cemetery developing practices and policies which will allow this to happen at Oak Grove.<br />
<br />
Though we understand that green burial is not the right choice for all people, we believe that the practice of green burial values the importance of care for the earth that is present in many of our individual religious traditions and would be a faithful choice for members of our community. As you know, green burial does not put toxins into the earth as embalming does; nor release toxins into the atmosphere as cremation does, rather, green burial allows for the body to decompose naturally, unlike the embalmed body placed inside a vault or liner. Therefore, green burial promotes the preservation of unpolluted land and conservation land as well. Green burial allows for the person's last wish to be a gift to the earth, because it does not pollute the land or atmosphere. We believe that green burial is a respectful way to handle the dead.<br />
<br />
We understand that this is a traditional practice for burial, though it is only recently being reclaimed in the United States. We hope that your deliberations about the best ways to accommodate green burial at Oak Grove can move forward swiftly and in a timely fashion.<br />
<br />
Please know that we are all available to continue to support your efforts.<br />
<br />
Thank you.<br />
Peace,<br />
<br />
Rev. Tess Baumberger, Unitarian Universalist Church of Medford<br />
Rev. Brenda Bennett, Community Baptist Church, Medford<br />
Rev. Wendy Miller Olapade, Sanctuary UCC, Medford<br />
Rev. Tony Jarek-Glidden, Community Methodist Church, Medford<br />
Rev. Gerald Bell, Shiloh Baptist Church, Medford<br />
Rev. Matthew Rasure, Frist Baptist Church, Medford<br />
Rev. Noah H. Evans, Grace Episcopal Church, Medford<br />
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Cc: Stephen Brogan, Superintendent, Oak Grove Cemetery<br />
Stephanie M. Burke, Mayor of Medford<br />
Mark Rumley, Medford City Solicitor<br />
Medford City Council</div>
The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-54883540653094124512016-01-29T16:58:00.002-05:002016-01-29T16:58:23.817-05:00Grace Episcopal Church on the "A Small Good Thing" blog<br />
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<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" />Grace Episcopal Church was recently featured on the blog of the film we recently screened, A Small Good Thing. Read more about it here: <a href="http://www.asmallgoodthingfilm.com/environmental_stewardship" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #c43c1c; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none;">GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND THE POWER OF COMMUNITY</a></div>
The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-5783431602131760982015-10-01T15:15:00.000-04:002015-11-23T21:45:50.641-05:00Why I Give<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3831; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px;">I wrote this reflection for the </span><a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/storage.nm-storage.com/gracemedford/downloads/grace_church_newsletter_october_2015.pdf" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #c43c1c; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 27.2px; text-decoration: none;">October 2015 Grace Church Newsletter</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3831; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px;">In the Episcopal Church, members of the congregation are asked each year to make a pledge of what they plan to give to the Church for the entire coming year. At Grace Church we do this in late October to early November, with special events and mailings during this time. For some people, especially for those new to the Episcopal Church, making a pledge may be a new experience.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3831; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px;">Why do I make a pledge each year?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3831; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px;">First, in pledging I am supporting the parish community to which I belong, and its mission. Grace Church is a self-supporting parish; we as a community have to support our shared work. By making a pledge, I am giving the Vestry and parish leadership the ability to plan for the ministry of the parish in the coming year. By making a financial pledge, I am also saying that I support and want to be part of the mission of the parish. Each year that I have been at Grace Church, I have more and more deeply come to believe that what we do together is the work of God. Part of God’s work to care, to serve and to welcome all at God’s table. That’s something I want to be a part of. So I give.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3831; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px;">Second, pledging is a spiritual discipline. Giving is a discipline that people of faith have practiced for millennia. Spiritual disciplines are acts that we choose to do not because we always feel like it or want to, but because they are part of our commitment to God, to each other, and to ourselves. Pledging helps us to know that all that we have, things material and spiritual, is a gift from God. By giving generously, we thank God for God's loving care for our lives, and we dedicate what we have been given to God’s purposes. Giving is a practice of thanksgiving that over time makes us even more grateful for the abundance of God’s grace in our lives. It opens our hearts to the awareness that all life is a wondrous gift. Over the last few years, my wife Sara and I have come to learn how we can build our own family budget around our giving. It has taken time to get there, adjusting our budget each year, but now we tithe. We give 10% of our income away. We give about 1/3 of that tithe to Grace Church through our Annual and Capital Campaign pledged. We give about 1/3 to my wife’s church, Christ Church in Waltham, through Annual and Capital Campaign pledges and about 1/3 to other causes and needs that are important to us. Giving is an important part of our lives, and something we try to teach and demonstrate to our children as well. This discipline helps to remind us on a daily basis that all that we have and do is truly a gift from God. Our giving helps us to know more deeply to grace God has given us all. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3831; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px;">My prayer is that pledging will bring you the joy it brings my family and me. My prayer is that it can bring you a greater awareness of God’s grace in your life. And it is my hope that you will join me in supporting the work of this amazing community and church! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3831; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px;">Please think and pray about how you can be part of God’s generosity in your pledging and giving to Grace Church this year. And look for a stewardship packet in the mail in the coming weeks, and reflect with us on our giving during our month of stewardship events. Thank you for all you give to our ministry and work together!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3831; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px;">Peace,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3831; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px;">The Rev. Noah H. Evans, Rector</span>The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-78789966786291693232015-07-19T14:47:00.000-04:002015-11-25T14:48:24.610-05:00Celebrating 'Eid al-Fitr <div>
This is reprinted from the <a href="http://gracemedford.org/blog" target="_blank">Grace Episcopal Church Blog</a></div>
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<img alt="" src="http://gracemedford.org/images/library/IMG_20150719_110255.jpg" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; float: left; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 350px;" />On Friday, July 17, our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world celebrated 'Eid al-Fitr, the holy day marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. On Sunday, July 19, several Muslims from the Bangladeshi Islamic Center of Massachusetts took time out of their festivities to attend Grace Church's 9:00am Eucharist service, joining us afterwards for coffee hour and homemade Bangladeshi sweets traditionally served during Ramadan. The Bangladeshi Muslim community of Medford, Somerville, and the surrounding area has been praying each evening in our parish hall throughout the thirty nights of Ramadan. In his sermon, the Rev. Noah Evans shared about the moving moment in his office when the leaders of the prayer group expressed just how meaningful it had been for their community to finally have a space to gather and pray. That moment, Noah explained, made him a better Christian, just as the experience of providing hospitality to our Muslim neighbors has been a beautiful opportunity for our church to grow more fully into our Christian faith. <br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><img alt="" src="http://gracemedford.org/images/library/IMG_20150719_104114.jpg" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; float: left; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 350px;" />Dr. Mawdudr Rahman, whose vision initially created the Muslim prayer group in downtown Boston that has been praying at St. Paul's Cathedral on Tremont St. for over three decades, spoke to our parishioners about why his faith inspires him to reach out in peace to Christians. The Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths are all of the same Abrahamaic root and we share a great-great-great-grandfather in the Prophet Abraham, Dr. Rahman reminded us. Dr. Anwarul Hasan, the President of the Bangladeshi Islamic Center of Massachusetts, helped us understand how the central practices of Ramadan--fasting and obligatory charitable donations--are spiritual practices of solidarity with the starving and impoverished of the world. He stated that we all have a moral obligation to reduce the growing divide between the have and have-nots of the world, especially when so much of humanity goes to bed hungry. 'Eid al-Fitr, the festival at the end of Ramadan, was declared by Prophet Muhammed to be a day when no person in the world should ever have to beg for food. <br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><img alt="" src="http://gracemedford.org/images/library/IMG_20150719_110020.jpg" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; float: right; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 350px;" />In answering questions from parishioners about Ramadan and Islam, Noah and the two Muslim leaders emphasized how important it is for Americans to recognize media bias surrounding individual acts of hatred and terrorism prepetrated by radical and disturbed Muslims, such as the recent shooting that killed six in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The leaders explained that we must consider them to be individual acts by people intent on using religion to further their own agenda, the same way we might consider domestic terrorism by Christians to be unrelated or anti-thetical to the true Christian message. Dr. Anwar urged each of us to use our voices to call for peace and an end to division, even when it might seem that voices calling for violence are amplified in the media. <br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" />Most of all, the celebration was infused with a overwhelming sense of immense gratitude. We as Grace Church are very grateful to get to know our Muslim neighbors in a new way and to share a piece of our faith with them in our service and fellowship afterward. We greatly look forward to continuing in partnership with the Bangladeshi community throughout the year. </div>
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The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-89551405127709600882015-07-07T15:31:00.000-04:002015-11-23T15:31:55.909-05:00Grace Episcopal Church, Medford Celebrates Marriage Equality <h2 class="inline" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #3d3831; display: inline; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4;">
Grace Episcopal Church, Medford Celebrates Marriage Equality </h2>
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<img alt="" src="http://gracemedford.org/images/library/RainbowGrace.jpg" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; float: left; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 250px;" />Grace Episcopal Church in Medford celebrates the arrival of the right for all people to marry across the country and in the Episcopal Church. After the June 26th Supreme Court’s ruling granting marriage rights to all people across the United States, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, voted July 1 to make the canonical and liturgical changes to provide marriage equality for all Episcopal Churches across the United States. For a number of years, Bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts have allowed clergy, including those from Grace Church, to solemnize same-sex marriages within the Diocese.<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" />Grace Episcopal Church in Medford celebrates these long awaited civic and religious rights being extended to all people. In a sermon celebrating marriage equality the Sunday after the Supreme Court ruling, Grace Church Rector, the Reverend Noah Evans, told the story of Supreme Court plaintiffs Jim Obergefell and John Arthur and “how the seeds of change came from the love found in the relationship between these two men. It shows us how love grows to change the world…God’s love wins.” In a statement after the Supreme Court ruling, Massachusetts Episcopal Bishops Alan Gates and Gayle Harris described marriage equality in an official statement as “A thing to be celebrated.”<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" />Lucia Page, Grace Church Warden (senior lay leader) said, “…the Episcopal Church's passing of marriage equality is the formal ratification of what our church already actively practices and preaches. It's a community that's truly welcoming of all, and proudly proclaims its belief that all marriages and families matter - that my marriage and my family matter. The announcement further strengthens my faith in God, and makes me so proud to be part of my religious community.” The Rev. Dr. Maggie Arnold, Grace Church Assistant Rector stated, “It is a profound honor to be able to serve all of our members more fully, with the pastoral office of marriage. I am so glad to be part of a church that seeks and serves Christ in all persons.”<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" />Grace Episcopal Church in Medford, located at 160 High Street, is a dynamic, vibrant and welcoming community that is the spiritual home to a diverse congregation of over 200 families with different racial, social, ethnic, cultural, family and religious backgrounds. All are welcome to join in the life of its community.</div>
The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-64995265582169286092015-06-29T14:49:00.000-04:002015-11-25T14:53:54.425-05:00Interfaith Iftar at Grace Episcopal Church Re posted from the <a href="http://gracemedford.org/blog" target="_blank">Grace Episcopal Church blog</a><br />
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Grace Episcopal Church hosted an interfaith Iftar celebration on Sunday, June 28th for the Bangladesh Islamic Society of Massachusetts. During the Holy Month of Ramadam, Grace Church is hosting this local Muslim community for their daily evening prayers as they break the fast. This evening there was an interfaith panel, including our Rector, the Reverend Noah Evans. It is a blessing to be able to offer hospitality for, and support, our local Muslim brothers and sisters. <div style="color: #3d3831; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px;">
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The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-48836413633084720842015-06-25T15:32:00.000-04:002015-11-23T15:36:59.382-05:00Grace Church Participates in Interfaith Vigil for Charleston <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://medford.wickedlocal.com/storyimage/WL/20150624/NEWS/150628852/AR/0/AR-150628852.jpg&MaxW=650" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://medford.wickedlocal.com/storyimage/WL/20150624/NEWS/150628852/AR/0/AR-150628852.jpg&MaxW=650" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Grace Episcopal Church helped to plan an Interfaith Vigil for the victims of the shootings in Charleston on Saturday, June 20th at West Medford Baptist Church. Here is the media roundup of the event. <br /><br />Medford Transcript: <a href="http://medford.wickedlocal.com/article/20150624/NEWS/150628852">http://medford.wickedlocal.com/article/20150624/NEWS/150628852</a><br />CBS Chanel 4: <a href="http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/06/20/medford-church-hosts-peace-vigil-for-charleston-shooting-victims/">http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/06/20/medford-church-hosts-peace-vigil-for-charleston-shooting-victims/</a><br />BostonHerald: <br /><a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2015/06/dorchester_service_to_honor_sc_victims_promote_peace">http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2015/06/dorchester_service_to_honor_sc_victims_promote_peace</a><br />Fox 25: <a href="http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/29370483/mass-congregations-honor-charleston-church-shooting-victims">http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/29370483/mass-congregations-honor-charleston-church-shooting-victims</a><br /> The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-58548311368380667542015-03-26T15:23:00.000-04:002015-11-23T15:27:45.666-05:00Prayer from Medford Overcoming Addiction Prayer Vigil <i>This is the text of the prayer that I offered at the Medford Overcoming Addiction Prayer Service on March 22nd at Medford City Hall.</i><br />
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<br />God of love, Creator of us all, we come together this night in vigil for all of those who we have lost to the disease of addiction. <br /><br />We pray for those who have died. <br /><br />We pray for those who lives were cut short. <br /><br />We pray for all of us who grieve, those who have lost family and friends.<br /><br />We pray for those who are currently lost in the darkness of addiction. <br /><br />We pray for those who walk with you , o God, in recovery. <br /><br />We pray to break the silence, to break the stigma, around addiction. <br /><br />We pray to break the silence about the depth of the crisis of drugs in our own community. <br /><br />We pray for this community to see and know hope. <br /><br />The hope that comes through recovery. <br /><br />The hope that comes through living day-by-day. <br /><br />The hope that comes as we gather together as a community to be light to the darkness of addiction. <br /><br />We pray for power.<br /><br />Your power to change our lives.<br /><br />Your power to end silence and stigma.<br /><br />Your power to change our community. To change our community more fully into a place of health, of acceptance, of empowerment, of love.<br /><br />We ask this in the name of the creator and lover of all life.<br /><br />Amen. <br /><br /><br />
<b>Here is the Medford Transcript story about this amazing event:</b><br />
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http://medford.wickedlocal.com/article/20150325/NEWS/150328289/?Start=1The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-50314433466349699892015-02-01T15:18:00.000-05:002015-11-23T21:46:15.026-05:00Lent Is Time to Prepare<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I wrote this reflection for the Grace Church February 2015 Newsletter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lent
originated in the very early days of the Church as a preparatory time for
Easter when the faithful rededicate themselves and when converts were
instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. It is believed that by
observing the forty days of Lent, individual Christians imitate Jesus’
withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days at the beginning of his ministry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
I think of Lent, my thoughts turn to Lenten sacrifice. What do I give up for
Lent? Some people give up chocolate for Lent, others give up Facebook – I am
sure you know many things that you or others have given up in the past. I
always think of Lent as a time to break an old bad habit, time to reject
something that somehow causes a prick of my own conscience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Frankly,
I am unsure whether God really cares about how much candy I eat, or whether I
can’t miss my friends social networking posts. Instead, God does care whether I
love others and not just those closest to me. God does care whether I help to
feed the hungry or nurture a relationship with my community. God cares whether
I spend time with God in prayer and worship.
Lent is not just a season about self-denial; Lent is a season about
reordering our desires, our patterns of being, and our patterns of living to
seek first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness. And it is also a time to
explore and deepen our relationship with God, who so desires that we know
God. This Lent, I hope to look up from
the self-indulgent guilt of worrying about chocolates and “screen time” and
instead look out to a world that is crying for my compassion, and towards a God
who so desires my attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
Wednesdays at Grace Series during Lent is entitled “Visions of Jesus” We will be asking, who is Jesus,
really? Understanding the person,
teachings and interpretations of Jesus is central to our faith – yet there are
so many different traditions and strands of understanding him. During this series we will explore some of
the many, many perspectives and understandings of Jesus, his teachings and what
he accomplished through his ministry, death, resurrection and ascension. Sessions will be taught by a variety of
presenters showing the variety of perspectives on Jesus, more details can be
found inside the newsletter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lent
begins with Ash Wednesday, Wednesday February 18th. We will have services at noon and 7PM, and a
Children’s service at 5:30PM. Join us as
we mark the beginning of this season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Peace,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Rev. Noah H. Evans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-86770834647228998562014-06-14T07:32:00.002-04:002015-11-23T21:47:40.592-05:00Interview with Medford Bicycle Commission: How faith in bicycles can make a better community I was interviewed by the <a href="http://www.medfordbikes.org/" target="_blank">Medford Bicycle Commission</a> for their <a href="http://www.medfordbikes.org/medfordbikes-blog" target="_blank">Blog</a> about the Grace Episcopal Church Blessing of Bike on Sunday, June 15, 2014. Here is the re-post of the interview.<br />
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<a class="blog-title-link" href="http://www.medfordbikes.org/medfordbikes-blog/how-faith-in-bicycles-can-make-a-better-community" style="color: #26518a; font-size: 32px !important; line-height: 38px !important; text-decoration: none;">How faith in bicycles can make a better community</a></h2>
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<span class="date-text" style="float: left; margin: 0px 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px;">06/12/2014</span></div>
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A wonderful thing about Medford is that if you take a bike ride through the city you will invariably pass by many houses of worship, and within them are people who practice their faith in many different ways.<br />
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One of these sacred sites is <a href="http://www.gracemedford.org/" style="color: #26518a; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">Grace Episcopal Church</a>, which has been located on High Street since it was built in 1868. It is remarkable for many things, like being listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the <a href="http://www.gracemedford.org/pages/OurHistoricBuilding.php" style="color: #26518a; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">oldest surviving church</a> designed by H.H. Richardson, or being the home of the <a href="http://www.graceworkschildcare.org/" style="color: #26518a; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">GraceWorks Childcare</a> center where Medford children of all faiths spend hours engaged in educational activities.<br />
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Now if you were to ride by the church this Sunday morning, June 15th, at 11:30 you will see something unusual and special there: a crowd of cyclists gathered around a new bike rack, with the church's reverend, Noah Evans,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/321108668045934/" style="color: #26518a; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title=""> blessing bicycles</a>, tricycles, helmets and all things cycling related.<br />
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We wanted to know what this is this all about, so we asked Rev. Evans a few questions.<br />
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<strong>Where did the idea of blessing bikes come from?</strong><br />
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In the tradition of the Episcopal Church we bless many things, marriages, children, houses, teachers and even backpacks. We bless things not as a way of somehow making them special, but in order to hold up their importance in our lives.<br />
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A number of churches have blessed bikes, so it is not an idea that we invented. We decided that this is a good time to do it because we just installed a new bike rack at the church. Many folks in the community are discovering biking as a way to live out their faith commitment to care for creation, and for their own health and wellness.<br />
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<strong>Blessing bikes is a symbolic act, but installing a new bike rack provides a very practical amenity. Are these ideas connected?</strong><br />
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Deeply connected.<br />
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At Grace Church we like to look at our church building as a model for the caring of creation that people can apply in their own homes and buildings. Installing the bike rack is a way we can encourage and support biking to church or to<a href="http://www.graceworkschildcare.org/" style="color: #26518a; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">GraceWorks</a>.<br />
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It also serves as a visible symbol for all to see of how we are trying to live out our faith commitments by living our lives differently. The blessing of bicycles is a way of nurturing, encouraging and supporting people who wish to practice these ideals.<br />
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<strong>Grace Church has embarked on a number of environmental initiatives, such as the <a href="http://greeninggrace.blogspot.com/" style="color: #26518a; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">Greening Grace</a>program. Is this part of the Episcopal Church's mission or tradition?</strong><br />
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The traditions of the Episcopal Church flow from the Church of England. It originally served a very rural, agrarian society, so there has been a long tradition of praying for the earth and for its care, especially as it related to the cycles of planting and harvesting.<br />
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More recently there has been a growing understanding that climate change is the largest moral issue of our time and we, as people of faith, have to respond.<br />
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This has piqued our passions at Grace Church and over the last five years we have worked hard to address these issues. We have replaced our old heating system with a high efficiency one and installed solar panels. We have also done a lot to reduce our energy usage and increase the proportion of materials we recycle.<br />
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We have developed and run the <a href="http://greeninggrace.blogspot.com/p/greenup-cleanup-project.html" style="color: #26518a; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">GreenUp CleanUp</a> program to help maintain Medford’s green spaces. More recently we have put in a vegetable garden to grow food for local food pantries.<br />
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Our environmental commitments have touched every part of the life of our community and the bike rack is just the most recent manifestation of our ongoing commitment to caring for creation.<br />
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<strong>How can riding bicycles help address some the social and environmental challenges facing our community? </strong><br />
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Bicycling, instead of driving, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming. It also decreases congestion on local roads.<br />
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I have also come to believe that bicycling—and walking—brings people closer and makes them more connected within their communities. Just getting people outside of cars brings them closer to the particularities of a place and the people within it. This can help to draw folks together, build awareness of community and make them feel invested in building a society that comes closer to reflecting the values we profess.<br />
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<strong>Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians need to work together to make transportation safe and efficient. Are there lessons from your tradition that can help us do this?</strong><br />
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Everyone plays a role in developing a transportation system that is safe and environmentally friendly. It is important for bicyclists and motorists not to see themselves as competitors, but instead as partners working together for safety, community and care of creation.<br />
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<em style="position: relative;">If you would like to have your bicycle, or any other human-powered vehicle blessed, Grace Church <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/321108668045934/" style="color: #26518a; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">invites you to come</a>. Cyclists of all faiths, ages and abilities are welcome to celebrate and share in their tradition.</em></div>
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The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-13387276936876678692014-05-13T10:06:00.002-04:002014-05-13T10:09:47.962-04:00EPISCOPAL CITY MISSION DIVESTS FROM FOSSIL FUELS<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Episcopal City Mission Board Votes to Completely Divest from Fossil Fuels</td></tr>
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<b style="line-height: 150%;">May 12, 2014 – Boston, MA</b><span style="line-height: 150%;"> - <a href="http://www.episcopalcitymission.org/" target="_blank">Episcopal City Mission</a> (ECM), an agent
for social and economic justice with headquarters in Boston, MA, has decided to
divest its endowment from fossil fuels. The unanimous vote of the ECM Board of
Directors took place at the May 8 meeting after months of research, reflection
and deliberation that included diligent analysis of the potential financial
impact of divestment on its investments. The Finances Committee and the Board
of Directors were satisfied that ECM’s portfolio manager has designed an
investment strategy with comparable returns so that their fiduciary
responsibilities for the endowment can be exercised without exposure to fossil
fuels.</span></div>
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The action of the ECM Board comes
in part in response to a Resolution passed by the 2013<a href="http://www.diomass.org/" target="_blank"> Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts</a> Diocesan Convention on
“Environmentally Responsible Investing.” The Diocesan Resolution calls for a
freezing of direct investments in the Carbon Tracker top 200 fossil fuel
companies; its asks that the Trustees of the Diocese, congregations, and other
affiliated institutions research and identify “best in class” fossil fuel
companies and that assets of the Diocesan Investment Trust only include “best
in class” fossil fuels companies after November 2013, and it calls for the
design of “an alternative investment vehicle that is free from fossil fuel
production companies.” ECM, an institution affiliated to the Diocese, had
already limited its exposure to fossil fuels only to “best in class” companies
prior to November 2013. After the November 2013 Diocesan Convention, ECM began
to work with its portfolio manager to explore an alternative instrument, free
of fossil fuels. On May 8, 2014 ECM adopted it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After the vote, the Chair of the
Board of Episcopal City Mission, The Rev. Noah H. Evans, said: “It is my hope
the ECM’s actions here will encourage other Episcopal organizations, including
our own Diocese’s Trustees of Donations and other investors, to take a hard
look at their portfolios and whether they are in line with their faith
commitments, including social justice and caring for creation.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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ECM’s Executive Director, Dr. Ruy
O. Costa, quoted the teachings of the apostle Paul in his letter to the
Christians in Rome that “creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation
of the children of God,” and commented: “I hope that what is manifested in our
work and through our investments is a theology of caring: caring for our
neighbors, caring for the future, and caring for nature.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Episcopal City Mission</b> works for social and economic justice with
special attention to the needs of the urban poor. ECM mobilizes Episcopal
parishes, individuals and resources in partnership with other community
organizations for social structural change. ECM supports community organizing,
mission-related investments in affordable housing, community economic
development, and public policy advocacy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>For more information:<br />
</b>Dr. Ruy O. Costa<br />
Executive Director<br />
<span lang="PT-BR">(617) 482-4826 x 208</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span lang="PT-BR"><a href="http://www.episcopalcitymission.org/">http://www.episcopalcitymission.org/</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #532e63; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.04230499267578px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #532e63; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.04230499267578px;"><b>Episcopal City Mission</b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #532e63; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.04230499267578px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #532e63; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.04230499267578px;">138 Tremont Street</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #532e63; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.04230499267578px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #532e63; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.04230499267578px;">Boston, MA 02111</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #532e63; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.04230499267578px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #532e63; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.04230499267578px;">617.482.4826 or toll free 800.696.6079</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #532e63; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.04230499267578px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #532e63; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.04230499267578px;">Fax: 617.338.5546</span><br />
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The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-63240468663407781032014-02-23T18:55:00.001-05:002014-02-24T14:03:26.238-05:00Final reflections on Bogota: It changed me<div>
From James Pearson<br />
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So I've agreed to write a blog, not positive what that is, but the Mission trip to Columbia is the topic. Most members of our group heard about my questioning why not just send the funds? What are the security misnomers,what projects are we facing, how do we accomplish this work without tools, how will a lasting relationship be so lasting, how will the language barrier effect our Mission? </div>
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The above questions have answers. The funding enabled twelve members of the Medford Grace Parish to travel and stay together, pray together and reflect daily together. It allowed our Parish to purchase appliances, construction materials,religious vestments and needed church related items for the Devine Savior Parish. </div>
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Security is a concern where ever you are, even little old Medford. We witnessed what measures are taken, for this long politically unbalanced culture, but experienced no situations that would suggest not returning. </div>
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The projects included installation of a washing machine space that included a complete structure to house the equipment, plumbing, electrical and paint. Plumbing upgrades for water purification, electrical upgrades in the lower Chapel, furniture painting, dog grooming, minor hand tool replacement, general cleaning and future contractor services. </div>
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Now onto the relationship issue. Let's begin with the members of Devine Savior.</div>
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Padre Jose, Oliva, Aracely, Carmen, Lina, Clemencia, Hector, Julio and an assortment of young children daily. There was some apprehension on both sides the first couple of days, but that seemed to dissipate quickly. By Tuesday, everyone seem to realize we were there for each other (overwhelming as it may have seemed). Devine Savior provided wonderful friendship and meals everyday.</div>
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Now onto the Mission team, 12 people that had minimal knowledge of one another have spent eight days expressing many feelings of what needed to be and was done, working, eating, praying and sharing together. Pretty amazing experience. The long term relationships have a good chance at surviving.</div>
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And finally the language barrier, Grace was extremely fortunate to have an unbelievable compliment of Spanish speaking team members (Molly, Elli, Emily, Eva, Steve, Kate, Katherine and Noah). But the charades made for fun on both sides.</div>
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Thank you for allowing this mission to happen, Maria performed a great deal of self sacrifice to make this happen, and if you have future plans on returning, please include me. </div>
The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-84795978704488696522014-02-22T21:50:00.002-05:002014-02-22T21:51:10.486-05:00Saturday in Bogota: From God With LoveFrom Emily Benjamin<br />
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En Español:<br />
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Christo te ama. Y los niños que viven aquí se aman. Todos los niños nos saludan con abrazos, todos los días. Ellos nos abrazan muchos tiempos en el día. Un chico que tiene tres años y que se llama Simón, me dice <<quiero tú>>, y esperó a la puerta para mi. Él le encantan los abrazos. Él durmió en mis brazos. Una chica que tienen nueve años y que se llama Daniela, me dice <<te quiero>> antes de darme un abrazo. Ella le encantan los abrazos. Después de solo cinco días, ella sabe que me quiso. Los niños que viven aquí son muy enamorados y todos les gustan los abrazos. Estoy triste para decir adiós, pero también, estoy lista para ir a mi casa.<br />
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In English:<br />
<br />
Christ loves you. And the kids who live here love you. All of the kids greet us with hugs, everyday. They hug us multiple times a day. A 3-year-old boy named Simón said to me, "I want you," and waited at the door for me to come in. He loves hugs. He slept in my arms. A 9-year-old girl named Daniela said to me, "I love you," before hugging me. After only 5 days, she knew that she loved me. The kids that live here are very loving and love hugs. I am sad to say goodbye, but I am also ready to go home.<br />
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<br />The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-37782081422864451902014-02-22T05:47:00.004-05:002014-02-22T05:47:46.332-05:00Friday in Bogota: We came as strangers, we leave as friends<div class="MsoNormal">
From Maria Fenn</div>
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<br /></div>
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Today was our last day in the neighborhood of San
Rafael. I am going to try and reflect on
why I feel that this community is an extension of the community at Grace. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As you have already heard the food they prepared for us was
delicious, but the smiles it was served with were worth more. The caring
attention that was paid to try to learn what each of us liked or disliked was
heartwarming. Padre Noah likes “mucho café”, Molly is a vegetarian, Ruth Ann,
Brenda, and Emily like smaller portions, Maria is a diabetic. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Each day we were greeted off the van at the door with rounds
of hugs and handshakes and wonderful greetings of “Buenos Dias”. More than the
words were the smiles of genuine happiness that we had arrived for another day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We attended three services at Divine Savior. Most of the
service was in Spanish and I understood very little of it. But, I understood
when it was time to share the peace.
Everyone walked around and shared signs of the peace. More than the
greetings were the huge smiles that they
were given with.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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At the end of very day we were again given a snack before we
departed for the day. Talk around the tables was about what was accomplished
and what still needed to be done. But always there was thanks for what had been
completed that day. More than the grateful words were the smiles worn on the
faces of those offering their thanks.</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Our last day in San Rafael.
The morning rush was over, and we were winding down the projects. The afternoon had begun and the strain of
having to say good bye was showing on a lot of those smiling faces. Chairs were arranged in the large salon and
food was brought in. One by one we gathered in this space where we had gathered
to meet just six short days ago. Padre Jose began the gathering with a game of
pass the stuffed animal (a game all could understand) and it kind of broke the
tension that had been gathering. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then
came the time for both sides to express their thanks for this experience. Jose, Noah and Eva all spoke very eloquently
as the first of the tears started to flow. Individual people were then invited
to share their experience of the week. Gifts were exchanged and then we danced and
ate and had a visit with the Bishop. As the evening wound down people started
to say good bye to each other. Contact
information was shared and photos were taken. Hugs and handshakes abounded along with plenty
of tears. But through the tears were the smiles. Smiles of deep gratitude for
having been given the chance to get to know one another in this shared mission of love and kindness.<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b>Bogota Mission Trip Blog – Friday/Viernes, Feb 21, 2014<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Offered with thanksgiving by Kathryn Benjamin</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Today we completed our assorted projects at the Parroquia El
Divino Salvador – Church of the Divine Savior.
The physical and tangible ones included installing a washing machine
(carried down many, many uneven tile stairs), and a stove top; repairing,
replacing and upgrading wiring and lighting throughout the building; fixing and
replacing parts of the water filtration system in the kitchen; painting dressers;
and plenty of window washing, dusting, and sweeping, along with playing with
the children every afternoon. The
intangible ones included coming together as a worship community, building
friendships, and communicating across language barriers (our hosts were very
patient with our varying degrees of Spanish skills). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sharing the commonality of our order of
worship reminded me of attending church with my grandmother when I was a young
adult: I had “taken a break” from regular worship in my 20s, and yet every time
I visited my grandmother and went to church with her, I immediately felt “at
home” – it is a gift of our Book of Common Prayer, and one which we all – Grace
Church missioners and the congregation at Divine Savior – experienced and
appreciated this week. And, much as we
say at the end of our Sunday worship service, “The worship is ended, the
service begins!” so, too, the work of this mission trip has only just begun.<br />
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<br /></div>
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I invite you, the readers, to continue to engage us in
conversation about our experience, what it means to be “on mission” – which is
a unique and evolving experience for each of us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I will end with a poem/reflection on an image that made a
strong impression on me:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Why is there razor wire<o:p></o:p></div>
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on the wall of the church yard?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It coils there,<o:p></o:p></div>
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in stark contrast<o:p></o:p></div>
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to the silent and magnificent beauty<o:p></o:p></div>
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of the mountains, not so far away,<o:p></o:p></div>
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and the welcoming church family<o:p></o:p></div>
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within.</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
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Is there razor wire<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
around my heart?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or is it only barbed wire?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or a thorn bush,<o:p></o:p></div>
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disguised with roses?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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How tender is my heart,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mi Corazon,<o:p></o:p></div>
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that it needs such a deadly defense?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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When will the razor wire come down? <o:p></o:p></div>
The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-73445852441579025212014-02-20T22:44:00.001-05:002014-02-20T22:44:09.544-05:00Thursday in Bogota: Continuing out work, deepening friendships<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
February 20<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Buenas tardes, Grace
Church Family:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
A short note from the
Church of the Divine Savior parish in Bogota. Our work is progressing,
sometimes with slight difficulty and other times smoothly. All hands are on
deck each day—we arrive here at 9am, have a “coffee break,” then a short prayer
service and next it is “hi-ho” off to our assignments! The ladies of the church
make us a wonderful lunch each day. Today it was chicken broth, spaghetti with
red sauce and chicken, plus Italian bread. The folks here have embraced us with
much love, even though in many ways we have disrupted their daily routine. Some of us have even
had a small amount of tutoring in Spanish- I wish I had more! </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Hasta luego,<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Ruthanne Pearson </div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Steve Viggiani:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday night in Bogata – tired after another long but
wonderful day at the Divine Savior.
Under Jim Pearson’s direction, we’ve spent a full day+ re-wiring the
chapel in the basement of the church – it was slow going but by day’s end we
were almost done. Meanwhile, Ellie,
Molly, Emily and Eva were painting the inside of the shelter we’ve built off
the back patio to house the church’s new washing machine – everything looks
great and the washer will be installed tomorrow! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I could list a half dozen other major
projects that we’ve undertaken here, but I must say, as satisfying as it’s been
to lend a hand here, the real reward has been getting to know Father Jose and
the Divine Savior community – tremendous people who have welcomed us so warmly,
and who are doing such important work in their community. It’s been a privilege working alongside them -- and a daily treat to enjoy their
hospitality, complete with wonderful home-cooked meals and lots of coffee and
hot chocolate! <br />
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Tomorrow, Friday, is our
last day at Divine Savior – truly seems like we’ve just arrived but it will be great to get back to Boston too –
save some snow for us! The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104234124046013018.post-87701259963516831652014-02-19T22:09:00.000-05:002014-02-19T22:09:40.533-05:00Wednesday in Bogota: Discovering many possibilities for partnership<div class="MsoNormal">
From Kate Woodward:<o:p></o:p></div>
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19 February <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today I spent the day with Padre Ted. Although the only plan
I had was to meet with Padre Javier to discuss irrigation, I had the most
pleasant opportunity to get to know Ted, and Wilson (Ted’s dog) as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I came to Grace after Ted had already gone and other than
when he came to Grace for visits, I didn't have a dedicated time to get to know
him. I feel it was a blessing as he is committed to his work here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After lunch, Ted and I met with Padre Javier, who it turns
out is also a PhD student, a human rights lawyer, and the priest for the
community in Facativo (“Faca” for short). Faca is a small, rural community of
very poor people outside of Bogota. Padre Javier is trying to use the land
belonging to the church to start a community farm that will provide not only
food for the people, but a sustainable income for the community. One of the
crops that would provide income is a tree called a “tomato tree.” Ted described
it as an apple tree that has a tomato-like fruit instead of apples. The
Colombians make a juice of the fruit that they love to drink. If the community could grow the trees and
sell the fruit, they could have the income, but they require water. The church
land currently does not have sufficient water to sustain agriculture, except
for potatoes and other vegetables that require less water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It seemed strange that there wasn't enough water since on
either side of the church land were farms that appeared to be doing well. We
started by talking about things like how much rain was received, where was the
water table, and other things engineers need to know. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We then started discussing several of the traditional water
supply options that might be available. Unfortunately, trying to dig a well
using a drill rig was not going to work. A drill rig couldn't get to the site
for a reasonable amount of money (I saw pictures of the bishop’s truck stuck
trying to get to the church). The aqueduct that provides water to the
neighbors’ farm was too far away to construct a spur. <o:p></o:p></div>
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During this discussion, I realized that although it might
appear logical to assume that water could be found near the surface of the
valley, the aquifer had probably shifted over geologic time. If we could
determine where the aquifer layers were by looking at geologic maps, we might
be more successful at finding possible locations for digging a well. Water
could then be pumped (yes, they have electricity!) to tanks for storage and
then gravity feed to the farm. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now you might wonder how we would dig a well without a drill
rig. Ted has a group that he is forming from within the Bogota area that he is
going to use to possibly dig trenches for laying pipe for the water. They could
dig the well—relatively free labor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A plan was coming together!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We decided to start with providing water for the tomato
trees. This could provide a source of income for the community, along with hope
and a sense of purpose. I will go back to Boston and find geologic maps so that
we can locate possible locations for the well. I suggested that we might
confirm the locations using a technology like ground penetrating radar, since
we could bring that to the site. We will coordinate with Ted, who will take
care of figuring out the costs involved and coordinate the activities in
preparation for the August date.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Padre Javier seemed truly happy that there was at least a
plan to help his community get the irrigation water it needs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And yes, Wilson is a sweet puppy who provides a friend for
Ted to come home to. <o:p></o:p></div>
The Rev. Noah H. Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17126188338458709724noreply@blogger.com1