May 2009 News
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On Friday afternoon, May 8, we were rattled by our first local earthquake since moving here. It was a magnitude 4.2, centered just 4 miles east of Ojai, and almost shook Elaine out of her chair. It was her first experience of an earthquake since moving to California 20 years ago! I was in Washington D.C. briefly to give a talk to the “Faith, Economy and Ecology” conference hosted by the Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns. It was a good strategic gathering of environmental economists strategizing on how to focus organizing, advocacy and education on the twin crisis of ecocide and poverty. While in town I was able to visit with Tim Kumfer of the 
Servant Leadership School as well as old friend Art Laffin and his wife Colleen and young son Carlos (right) of the Dorothy Day House Catholic Worker. I also saw my spiritual director Gordon Cosby, who is increasingly frail in body and strong in spirit.
We attended the memorial service for dear friend and mentor Bob Miller, who passed in April at age 88. Bob and his partner Barbara have been fixtures on the faith based social justice scene in L.A. since moving from the east in the early 1990s. A Presbyterian minister with a long resume of faith and justice work, Bob was involved at Koinonia in the early 1970s. He and 
Barbara were faithful participants in the Bible study in my living room for many years. A true elder, Bob will be missed by many here. On a happier note, Elaine and I enjoyed the wedding celebration of friends Gareth Higgins and Erin Parish (left) in Georgia in late May. And congratulations to Clancy Dunigan (whose photos often grace this E-News) of Whidbey Island on celebrating his 60th birthday this month!
We keep getting good feedback from the Bartimaeus Institute. Rachel Napolitano (Feb ‘08), a Youth Development and Communications Assistant in Cleveland, OH, writes: “Since the Institute, I have shared information on restorative justice 
with our Catholic Worker bible study class, and was inspired to be a part of my organization’s mediation efforts. I have participated in neighborhood conflict intakes and the resulting mediations, and stepped up to fulfill a contract we have to provide truancy prevention through mediation in the East Cleveland school district.” Methodist deacon Doris Kung from Philadelphia (at left with Pastor Donna Jones in Feb ‘08) adds: “I am so glad to hear that BCM is planning more Institutes for the future; it is a place where my soul and mind are nourished. Tim and I appreciate it and value it greatly.”
Save the dates for the 2010 Institutes:
January 18-22: “Ambassadors of Reconciliation: A Theology and Diverse Practices of Restorative Justice,” with Elaine and Ched (and hopefully some surprise guests!);
February 22-26: “Luke, Sabbath Economics and Eco-justice,” with Ched, commemorating the 5th anniversary of the martyrdom of Sr. Dorothy Stang in Brazil.
We hope to see you at one, and remind you to help us recruit for the Institutes!
Jacque French (left) of Oregon writes: “I sold my townhouse in Beaverton in June ‘08 and moved to my small vacation cabin in Arch Cape. I truly gave up my attachment to what was valued at thousands of dollars to charity, and live with all second hand furnishings of 25 years. I’m about ready to have another regurgitation of material goods not needed in order to have more room and order and deepen my practice of Sabbath Economics. In January I went to Nicaragua to learn first hand about Fair-Trade organic coffee with Presbyterian Church USA’s Enough for Everyone program and Equal Exchange. I picked the ‘cherries’ and witnessed the process from beginning to end while staying with a farm family in the hills, and with CEPAD in Managua.”
A couple of interesting notes came from friends that reminded us that we never know what seeds are planted in our work. Pace e Bene director Ken Butigan wrote a reflection celebrating his thirty years of activism, and noted how his 
first nonviolence training was with me “back in the day” (read his blog). And Steve Baggarly of the Norfolk Catholic Worker writes: “Just thought you might like to know that the ex-Trident submarine captain who is now the social justice minister at our parish (where we prepare our soup line and hold peacemaking events) has a daughter-in-law who now is on the Palau Supreme Court. I gave him a copy of your Resisting the Serpent book, which he read in preparation for understanding life in Palau, and he thought it was well done. We had another woman from Palau (married to the Navy) in our Bible study where we were using Binding the Strongman a couple of years ago…”
Barbara Zelter wrote to tell us that she would continue pledging despite the fact that it is “a crazy obligation for me in American worldly terms, as I have no income while in school, and live out of a tiny pot of savings. Yet I could tell you stories about this way of decisionmaking and its manna guarantees:
(1) a recent surprise offer by my Raleigh Buddhist tenant to buy my NC condo, letting me leave all my stuff in it during school and until I land somewhere;
(2) a new generous scholarship for school next year;
(3) an unsolicited summer job offer from Cornell U. which just flew into my Inbox (read, grace) asking for my western NY consult around churches and families in poverty;
(4) spending time with southern Sudanese and Somali refugees here in Rochester.
I really do believe in the Sabbath economy, and therefore will send you the money I pledged, knowing that the theology and praxis you sacrificially espouse is life-giving and true, if we dare…”
Finally, I went to visit Roberto Martinez (left), who after a long battle with diabetes that culminated in a series of strokes is in hospice at his daughter’s home in Chula Vista, CA. The son of Texas farmworkers and a devout Catholic, Roberto left a career as an aerospace engineer to become an activist in the face of endemic racism against Latinos in California. I worked with him for 10 years with the AFSC, where he was the long time US Mexico border staff person based in San Diego. Roberto patiently explained to me the issues of immigration and human rights, and showed me the underside of the border warzone. He walked me through migrant camps in the shadow of million dollar homes in northern San Diego county, and shared the history of the local Chicano movement in which he was deeply involved. Roberto was instrumental in starting the “Posada sin Frontera” in 1994, which continues to this day (as featured in past editions of this E-News), and is now widely recognized as one of the most significant immigrant rights advocates of his generation.
Roberto retired in 2002, and while he continued to remain involved, he also began researching his family history, a passion we shared. Matt Colwell interviewed Roberto a couple of years ago for a book on immigration we are working on together. It was good to see
Roberto’s wife Yolanda, who was deeply grateful for the financial help for end of life expenses offered by one of our faithful BCM donors. I salute Roberto as a real mentor. (Right: Roberto in front of a sign showing the number of migrants who died crossing the border as a result of Operation Gatekeeper; photo by Nic Paget-Clarke.)
April 2009 News
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In a cost-saving move we have changed our BCM office phone: please note the new number: 323-449-5170. I enjoyed an exhausting but fruitful four days of speaking in Minneapolis organized by John Hildebrand. Events included a Holy Week study group hosted by Episcopal priest Robert Two Bulls; giving a sermon at Urban Jerusalem, a hip-hop church; preaching and giving two evening talks on Sabbath Economics at Calvary Baptist Church, where Bartimaeus Institute alumnus Jeff Cowmeadow (above) is pastor; spending a day on campus giving talks at Bethel University; and doing Bible study with the staff of Urban HomeWorks, a faith-based housing group in Minneapolis. I appreciated the hospitality and much-needed logistical support of Steve and Christine Clemens. Upon returning home, we commenced our most ambitious spring vegetable planting to date here in Oak View, thanks to help from Elaine’s nephew, Jordon Regier visiting from Saskatchewan. And our native plants are blooming beautifully!!
AME pastor Rev. T. Anthony Spearman (at right, front) of Hickory, NC, recently took a revealing exposure trip to Mexico to learn about immigration. Steve Taylor reports that more Methodists are using our Sabbath Economics material around the North Carolina Conference. As the current economic crisis deepens, others are developing work similar to our Sevenfold Covenant groups.
Last month we reported on “Common Security Clubs,” and now friends at www.simpleliving.org are advocating “Simplicity Circles.” Progressive Christians Uniting director Peter Laarman gave Sabbath Economics love in a recent post.
Institute alumnus Jill Shook will be teaching a class for the Bakke Graduate University on June 22-25 in Pasadena, CA entitled “The City, Church, and Housing” (for more information: Jill@makinghousinghappen.com) . Finally, if you have four minutes at your computer, check out this make-you-laugh-&-cry video. Speaking of cool stuff on the web, Tina Mata recommends Daniel Beaty’s “Knock Knock” from Def Jam Poetry; Barbara Zelter shares this Easter story; and be sure and check out Steve Clemens’ blog posts.
Blessed Eastertide!
March 2009 News
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After completing the second Bartimaeus Institute, Elaine and Ched enjoyed some time off, which included a retreat at Mission San Antonio (left). The third oldest of the 21 Franciscan missions established in the late 18th century in California, it is today still remote and the least re-developed. Located on the back side of the Big Sur range, surrounded by relatively undisturbed old oak savannah, the mission has the feel of old California. We enjoyed intense quiet and deep communion underneath the oaks.
Speaking of oaks, Sheri Hostetler, pastor at First Mennonite Church of San Francisco and one of the authors of the “Open Letter” (see above in this issue), wrote me recently: “There’s much that sparks my imagination [on your Theological Animation webpage]—perhaps none more than your meditation on California oak trees, ‘The Tree at the Center of the World.’ The tree of life has long been as important of a spiritual symbol to me as the cross. Your meditation got me closer to seeing how the two meet and support each other. I am not native to California, but I first learned to love trees and see them as sacraments in Ohio. Since moving here, the coast live oak sang to me almost immediately, and they have become an icon of the holy for me. A year ago, my husband and I moved to Alameda, which was once home (so the historians tell me) to the largest coast live oak forest in the country. I feel their presence as I move around this island, and mourn their absence. 
There’s a few still in Alameda, but not many. I’d love to come down to Oak View sometime, maybe for one of your Institutes, and meet your oaks. Thanks — for your oaklove, and your commitment to LGBT justice in the Mennonite church!” (Right: “Valley Oaks,” by Vicki Asp).
Our first annual Lenten Sabbath Economics Household Covenant retreat went well. It began with my Friday evening reflection on Jesus’ “First Temptation in the Wilderness,” which was attended by a number of new friends. Saturday 15 of us—some veterans and 
some new to the process—worked the Sevenfold Covenant (left: Cassie Lewis shares in a small group while Ross Kinsler, Barbara Haddon and Australian Mike Collins listen; Rick Kidd photo). The last 10 days of the month took Elaine and I to Canada on a speaking trip. Highlights were offering a sermon of solidarity at St. Andrews College in Saskatoon in celebration of their inauguration as an “Affirming Seminary”; delivering the Bechtel Lectures at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, ON (working from our Ambassadors of Reconciliation book); and a string of events in Minneapolis organized by Institute alumnus John Hildebrand. It was nice to see old friend Robert Two Bulls, and Steve and Christine Clemens provided hospitality.
The documentary “Who Killed Sr. Dorothy?” about Dorothy Stang, the martyr of the Brazilian forests, is beginning to air on venues such as PBS and HBO. (BCM has helped Dorothy’ brother David with his travel to Brazil to seek justice for Dorothy.) For information, click here to go to PBS.org. We received some nice feedback on Stan Goff’s E-News piece last month:
* “A most compelling story. I sent it to a CPTer in Colombia. Stan’s tribute to you echoes my sentiments.” –Hedy Sawadsky
* “The Goff piece was stunning. It must feel good to know that you are in touch with people at such levels through your work.” –Sandy Lejeune
* “Thanks to you, Ched, and Stan for combining to demonstrate the unpredictable power of ‘biblical animation.’ ‘Listen! A certain sower went forth to sow…’” –Norm Gottwald
Stan, meantime, is leading an “Apocalypse Now” group study at All Saints United Methodist Church in Durham entitled “From Hollywood to Revelation - Apocalyptic Stories and Cultural Criticism.”
Jonathan Cornford launched his “Manna Gum” project in Melbourne on March 14th. He is using our Sabbath 
Economics Household Covenant material, and we are delighted he will be building capacity in Australia on these issues. Old friend Ann Pettifor (left), a leading economic analyst in the U.K., plugged my Sabbath Economics work in her recent blog concerning the economic crisis on the Huffington Post. Click here to view the article; it’s worth reading.
As was Stan Goff, Murphy Davis has recently been honored by being selected into Robert
Shetterly’s AMERICANS WHO TELL THE TRUTH (right). Her portrait joins those of such folk as Rosa Parks, Dorothy Day, Kathy Kelly, Molly Ivins, and many more. Check them out on their website. The portraits also make up a traveling art show as a way to teach and inspire us to tell the truth for peace and justice. To have the show come to your city please contact the website.
Gloria Kinsler is recovering well from her hip-replacement surgery. Emmet Jarrett will be facing a tough six month regimen of cancer treatment; please hold him in the Light. Congratulations to: Heather McCain, an Episcopal priest in Missouri, for her upcoming marriage to Rex Alan Morgan; and to Kathryn Moran of Portland, celebrating her 40th birthday this month!
As we complete our Lenten journey, and celebrate the coming of spring, we wish you a blessed Holy Week and Eastertide!
February 2009 News
Elaine was busy in February, doing two weekend trainings on family group conferencing for a predominately Latino group, sponsored by the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Restorative Justice Initiative. A third weekend saw her delivering a keynote address at Fresno Pacific University’s annual Restorative Justice Conference. Her topic was looking at how the 
Greensboro Truth and Community Reconciliation Project used restorative justice principles. The talk will also appear as an Appendix in the second volume of our upcoming Ambassadors of Reconciliation book. Volume I(cover, right) will be out this Spring!
Like Stan Goff, Elaine’s restorative justice colleague Jack Dison (left) had a significant experience at the January Bartimaeus Institute. He wrote us the following kind words: “Thank you, Ched, for the years of work you have done on Mark (and other NT texts) and all of what has come from that work… The Institute took me on a quantum leap in my sense of this in the NT… You are a remarkable scholar and teacher. I am so very glad that you have devoted so much of your life to this task. I believe that what you have done is ground-breaking and will at some point be embraced far beyond what it is at present. It is an enormous gift to those of us who want to have a good grounding in a structural 
understanding of the texts and of our faith tradition and how they provide support for the work that some of us seek to do in becoming both peacemakers and disturbers of the peace. Thank you!!!”
To get a taste of what we covered at the January Institute, listen online to my talk on Jesus as a “King-style” nonviolent activist given last month at the Quaker/Mennonite/Brethren “Gathering on Peace” in Philadelphia.
Our numbers doubled in the February Bartimaeus Institute, thanks to another strong contingent from Cookman United Methodist Church in Philly. Our Word and World colleague Kyle Lambelet (left, plunking the banjo) was our work-study intern at the Institute and did an terrific job, holding together all the complicated logistics with Elaine. It was good to see Kyle again, and we are pleased that he and Nicole are expecting their first baby in July!
The February Institute focused on Mark 4-8, looking at Jesus as a boundary-crosser and wrestling with race, class and gender issues, in Jesus’ world and in
ours. The Sabbath time on Wednesday was a highlight, featuring several Cookmanites taking their maiden voyage on a surfboard in the cold winter waters of Emma Wood State Beach (above), and a great barbecue at Elaine and Ched’s home (right)!
Feedback from our January E-News: Vicki Tamoush writes: “Thank you all so much for Rick Kidd’s article about his trip to Palestine (Jan E-News). I love to see this coverage and know it will interest your readers. Rick gave a fantastic presentation at our Sabeel Orange County meeting… I hope that you will continue to highlight this sad, beautiful region so that all people of God will do what they can to alleviate the outrageous suffering there.” Judith Favor adds: “A very fine edition. I am deeply moved by the Tom Fox-clarinet connection, and Rick Kidd’s Palestinian experience echoed mine during May 2008.”
We are pleased to welcome on Barbara Haddon as a BCM volunteer part-time staff! We appreciate her energy. The filming of our Sabbath Economics and Community Investing workshop at First Presbyterian Church Baldwin Park went very well; we’ll be using it for a DVD project we are working on. Thanks to Andy Loving for his co-facilitation, and to the Kinslers for (yet again!) making their home available for filming interviews the following day.
Gloria Kinsler underwent hip-replacement surgery this month, and is recuperating. Keep her in your prayers, as well as Emmet Jarrett in Connecticut, who went through serious surgery recently as well. The report on Murphy Davis is astonishing and joyous: her recent PET scan revealed no new cancerous growth, which means she can resume chemotherapy for the indolent lymphoma she is managing.
Blessings as we enter the Lenten journey.
(Below: Ched giving some tips to Aaron and Mark, with beautiful Santa Cruz Island in the distance.)
January 2009 News
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We had a good Institute this month. Though small, the eleven folk from five states formed a cohesive community of study. We examined the ministry of Jesus around Capernaum as narrated in Mark 1-3, in conversation with the work of M.L. King. 
(Right: With Dick Rustay and Nelia and Calvin Kimbrough from the Open Door Community in Atlanta. Left: Stan Goff and Steve Taylor from NC, Jack Dyson from CA, and Miranda Duschak from Iowa at the midweek BBQ at our place.)
On the writing front, Elaine and I have completed both volumes of our Ambassadors of Reconciliation: Restorative Justice and Peacemaking project. Volume I (New Testament Reflections) comes out from Orbis Books this Spring, and Volume II (Diverse Christian Practices) is due out in the Fall. Watch for them! Meanwhile, sections of my Biblical Vision of Sabbath Economics have been translated into Japanese, with a Korean version in the works, and an article I wrote on the “Biblical Vision of Shalom” was recently published in German. The 20th anniversary edition of Binding the Strong Man is selling well and has garnered some new reviews. And a piece I did on spiritual formation for JustFaith is out, while my reflection on “John 8 and Proposition 8” (November ’08 BCM E-News) was picked up by Progressive Christians Uniting.
We enjoyed a visit this month from Katy Despot of New Haven, after which I traveled to Berkeley to continue work with scholars Norman Gottwald and Jack Elliott to found a Center for the Bible and Social Justice. 
Then Elaine and I were off to chilly Philly to speak at a conference of the historic Peace Churches (Quaker, Mennonite and Brethren) on January 13-17. We had the honor of working there with great elder and living steward of M.L. King’s vision of Beloved Community, Dr. Vincent Harding. And we met with many old and new friends from the area, including Will O’Brien and Dee Dee Risher, Shane Clairborne, AFSC colleague Ed Nakawatese, and the good folks at Cookman United Methodist Church. You can listen to my talk on Jesus as a “King-style” nonviolent activist online. (note: the talk begins at the 16 minute mark, is about 50 minutes long, and includes an interlude by Warren Cooper).
On Jan 31 I teamed again with Andy Loving for the last in a series of Sabbath Economics workshops with the Presbytery of San Gabriel on community investing. David and Susan Fetcho filmed the event and interviews for a DVD project we hope to produce and distribute later in the year; look for it in Fall.
Prayers for friend Joyce Hollyday (left) of Circle of Mercy church in Asheville, NC, who is traveling to Cuba with medicine, vitamins, clothes, linens, school supplies, and toys for their sister church in Camaguey. We’ve also been praying for Partners Fr. Emmet Jarret of Connecticut, who underwent major surgery recently, and for Murphy Davis’ continuing fight with cancer. And we join with John Parker in mourning the loss of David Spangler, who we met while in Memphis in 2003.
A nice article about Ched’s spiritual director Gordon Cosby (right), founder of Church of the Savior in Washington, DC and an extraordinary servant leader, appeared in the Washington Post this month. David Stang, brother of Dorothy Stang (killed in 2005 because of her work in defending the rain forests and campesinos from illegal logging) wrote to thank us for helping pay for his trip down to Brazil, where he will attend the trial of a wealthy rancher who was behind the plot to murder Dorothy, and then attend the World Social Forum.
Kelly Tevyn East, a participant in last year’s Bartimaeus Institute, writes that she “left my home in Charlottesville, my dance company and the artist collective and made my way to DC to participate in the Church of the Savior’s discipleship year. The program is wonderful, engaging me in many ways and offering a supportive environment to struggle with the call to activate my faith. I am working with Marie Dennis in the Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns, addressing ecological justice through the lens of our economic system. It is as if the restlessness and hunger that had been building in my spirit for several years is now provided a feast. I am exactly where I need to be right now!”
Blessings to all in this New Year.
December News
On Dec 6th BCM celebrated its 10th anniversary at our Annual Party in Oak View (left, Gloria Kinsler with a lovely anniversary cake courtesy of Ched’s mom, Charlotte). Some 35 friends showed up, enjoying perfect weather, lively music by Laurel McKenzie (Ched’s sister) and Lisa Santana, and good food and drink.
We celebrated our Cooperative and the 20th anniversary edition of Binding the Strong Man. (Right, Ched presents 
John August Swanson posters to elders Gloria & Ross Kinsler and Bob & Barbara Miller). The day before the party we had a Board meeting here where we welcomed Barbara Haddon, who is exploring Board service.
Elaine and I enjoyed a quiet Christmas season at home, preparing the winter garden and finishing up the second volume of our Restorative Justice book (coming from Orbis in 2009). We are also preparing to speak at a conference of the historic Peace Churches in Philadelphia. I’ve made an exception to my no-out-of-state-travel-during-the-winter rule to participate in “Heeding God’s Call: A Gathering on Peace” Jan 13-17 (see www.peacegathering2009.org).
We are pleased that dear friends and mentors Nelson and Joyce Johnson (left and right) were awarded a 2008 “Purpose Prize” this month for Innovation and Extraordinary Social Contribution from Civic Ventures (www.civicventures.org), a national think tank on boomers, work and social purpose. The Purpose Prize, now in its third year, is the nation’s only large-scale investment in social innovators in the second half of life. Winners are chosen from more than 1,000 nominees for their creative and effective work tackling problems ranging from poverty to pollution, recidivism to racial reconciliation, health care to homelessness. The Beloved Community Center in Greensboro, NC will receive $10,000 for their work to bring truth, reconciliation, and healing to a city torn by its past, and to ensure civil and human rights and dignity to those presently faced with the adversities of poverty and injustice.
The highlight of my time speaking at the national Call to Action progressive Catholic conference last month was meeting David Stang. A former Maryknoll priest, David is the brother of Dorothy Stang (right), 
a nun from Ohio who was murdered several years ago because of her work in Brazil defending the rain forests and campesinos from illegal logging (for her story go to: www.sndohio.org/dotstang.htm). David has been working hard to secure justice for Dorothy, and telling her extraordinary story. Dorothy received, along with six others, the Human Rights Award at the U.N. General Assembly on Dec. 10th.
Two new books that we’ve encouraged along which highlight Sabbath Economics are now out, so look for them:
* Northwest colleague Michael Schut’s Money and Faith: The Search for Enough (Morehouse Educational Resources) includes a chapter by me; and
* Judith Favor’s A Spiritual Guide to Sabbath Economics: Making Love with Money (Wasteland Press), inspired by one of BCM’s Household Covenant retreats.
Ritchie and Robert Two Bulls report from Minneapolis that their First Nations Kitchen is now open,
serving free dinners of traditional indigenous food each Sunday from All Saints Episcopal Indian Mission, where Bob serves as priest. Congratulations! Meanwhile, John Hildebrand, another friend from the Twin Cities, is organizing some speaking for me in March. Rick Kidd and longtime BCM friend Daryl Meyers had a great trip to Israel/ Palestine with Sabeel, and we look forward to Rick’s report in a forthcoming E-News issue.
BCM WISH LIST: We could use someone with technical skills to advise and help us create teaching media!
Thanks to those of you who responded to our end of year appeal, and a Blessed Christmastide to all!
November News
I got a positive progress report on the one-year check up after my cervical spine surgery. Thank you to all who have offered prayers on my behalf through the surgery and long recovery. I’m happy to report that I’m back in the water surfing again, 
if at a somewhat diminished capacity. I’ve lost some mobility, but overall feel like I’ve gotten my life back again! Meantime, we’ve had several work days here in Oak View, planting natives (right, Ceanothus) and prepping for our Dec 6th Annual BCM Party.
While Elaine continued getting Volume II of our Ambassadors of Reconciliation project completed, I completed a taxing two week trip east. In the air most of Election Day, I heard the results of the presidential race late Tuesday night from a customs officer at Montreal airport! I then led a two day workshop there on Christianity and Empire at the United Theological College; spoke on environmental faith at the Call to Action national conference in Milwaukee; went to Chicago to work with a group of younger adults interested in Christianity and Green Anarchism hosted by Living Water Church; and ended the trip with keynotes at the Wisconsin Council of Churches annual meeting. I was very glad to get back to warmer weather, but as usual met many wonderful folks on the road. That completed my out of state travel for 2008.
Rick Kidd has been in Israel/Palestine with Sabeel, and will report on this long-awaited trip in a forthcoming E-News issue. Knox Presbyterian Church, where Matt Colwell is pastor, is slated to be a drop site for the nationally recognized South Central Farmers’ Cooperative Community Supported Agriculture Program (csa@southcentralfarmers.com). Rick Zemlin has been getting in touch with many of you, and continues to coordinate our donor management. Gloria Kinsler is recovering from a bad hip and cataract surgery!
Friend and donor Carter Echols (right) has accepted a position at Bread for the World, 
a non-profit agency that has been a national and international leader in dealing with hunger and poverty issues. She will be coordinating strategies for congregational involvement in Bread for the World’s policies and programs. Carter has been working for the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, and is happy to return to Washington DC, where she has family and friends, and a home. Also in DC is our friend Chuck Collins, who continues to do great analysis on the awful Federal bail-out; check out his work at www.extremeinequality.org.
Steve Taylor writes how blessed he was to have Andy Loving visit him in N.C. “There is energy in the Church and Society group that I have not experienced in years … The possibilities with the United Methodist Foundation seem almost limitless. Last week we had four different congregations call and ask for sessions around Sabbath Economics and the Sevenfold Covenant.” Steve also was pleased 
at the response to his use of some of Zehnder’s (left) music in a recent sermon. “So many of our folks in North Carolina are active-duty military, veterans, or have family members in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sometimes folks will give a retired military guy like me, who now is committed to non-violent resistance and peace-making, a little space for proclamation that is not opened to others. Following the sermon I played Breathe In, Breathe Out, and the response was incredible. Many folks were wiping their eyes, softly crying and contemplating the call of Christ to peace. Several vets came up to me following worship expressing how the Spirit had touched them deeply.” Steve hopes to use their music in more of his work in the Office of Mission and Justice Ministries of the N.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church. Zehnder’s music video “A Song of Peace,” which I’ve used many times in my speaking work, can now be seen by clicking here. For more on our favorite L.A. band: www.ztheband.com.
Speaking of musician friends, Charlie King and Karen Brandow (right) have released a 
new studio CD called “Higher Ground” with guest musicians from our home stomping grounds of Western Massachusetts. You can order it and others by clicking here. Their music can also now be downloaded (individual songs and entire CDs old and new) at this site. They now offer six musical/theatrical/visual programs about different social movements in U.S. history and are looking for more opportunities to perform them (for information go to: www.charlieking.org). Finally, their version of [Nicola] “Sacco’s Letter to his Son” was selected by Pete Seeger to include in his teaching CDs that will accompany his revised songbook autobiography, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”
Soren and Stig (left) are keeping Solveig and Peter Nilson-Goodin busy in Portland. Meanwhile, Murphy Davis underwent successful gall bladder surgery in Atlanta, and is recovering at home at the Open Door Community. She will start chemo treatments again soon; we ask the whole circle to keep praying her through.
And from our “official BCM seminarian” Barbara Zelter in Rochester: “After hauling around your books for several years, reading the easy ones and only perusing Binding, I now am getting to the place of understanding your interpretation… I cried reading Mark as a whole, and am grateful for this time to read and absorb and regroup, with greater biblical understanding.”
Finally, Jonathan and Kim Cornford have launched MANNA GUM in Melbourne, Australia, an educational project to promote understanding and practice of the social, economic and political implications of the Christian gospel, and critical awareness of issues of aid and development, poverty and wealth. They have adapted our Sevenfold Household Sabbath Economics Covenant in their work.
BCM WISH LIST: We could use someone with technical skills to advise us on creating teaching media!
May the turning of the times at Advent and the Winter Solstice deepen our lives…
closing of a Firestone Fire plant years ago; and the local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees office where the memory of the Sanitation Workers strike is kept alive. The week culminated with an action at the Quebecor plant (one of several non-unionized plants operated by the second largest printing company in the world) just across the state line in Mississippi, where low-income workers (predominately African American) have been harassed for trying to organize a union to obtain better pay and safer working conditions. 
Musicians Ange Smith and Charlie King and poets Jim 
Perkinson and Tiffany Gray highlighted the many cultural contributions, and we heard powerful preaching from Alexia Salvatierra (left) and J. Herbert Lester (right) as well as Nelson Johnson and John Mendez from North Carolina. In the closing worship service an “altar call to commitment” inaugurated a Southern Faith, Community and Labor 
Money Advisors), educators and animators and regular investors. A highlight was an interfaith Shavuot/Pentecost service featuring reflections by Donna Katzin and Kazi Joshua (left).
In April 2005 Ched gave a talk at the WNC entitled “From Country Roads To Mean Streets… The Road to Emmaus,” accompanied by jazz musician