Merry Christmas

I once heard a story that went something like this: A woman was Christmas shopping in a department store with her little son. During the shopping she inadvertently let go of her son’s hand and he wandered off. Frantically, she looked all over the store calling his name. She finally found him. He was looking through a glass at the nativity scene. “Johnny!” she called. “Look mommy. It’s the baby Jesus!” he said to her, excitedly. “Come on here Johnny,” she yelled grabbing his hand. “I have too much Christmas shopping to do. I don’t have time for Jesus.” They disappeared into the crowd.

This is a joyous, joyful time for Christians. What’s also good about it is that joy can be contagious. It’s a good time to say to others before they disappear into the crowd, “Look, it's the baby Jesus." Let’s keep Jesus visible. I recall a time when the nativity scene was what people put up on their lawns or in the open garage for the public to see. My church used to have a life sized nativity scene on the old church lawn. It was lit up and because it was on a busy corner it added to the real meaning of Christmas. I don’t know why we stopped. Today, people's homes have lots of lights, Santa Clauses, reindeer, snowmen on the lawn, and decorated Christmas trees. Nativity scenes are hard to find. They've disappeared from some church lawns. The nativity scene seems to have been replaced by the Christmas tree and boughs of holly ... even in Holy places.

It’s been a long time since I went caroling. Back when I was a teenager, the young people in our church used to go Christmas Caroling in the neighborhood and visit nursing homes. After caroling, we would come back to the church for a Christmas party. A highlight was the hot buttered cider that was always served. Do people still go caroling? Please let me know through comments below. I’d love to see young folks doing that here in the northeast Bronx.

Here in America in addition to Christmas, during this season Jews celebrate Chanukah, Muslims celebrate the Islamic New Year and some African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa. So, there should be lots of smiles on the faces of the people we pass on the street, and in the shopping malls. Much will be said about the lack of reverence and the commercialism during our season of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Although not everyone we meet is celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, let everyone know where your heart is with a cheerful Merry Christmas.

Look, brothers and sisters, it’s the baby Jesus! Do you have time for Him?

Congratulations Mister President

The Nobel Peace Prize Committee recognizes that when Barack Obama was elected president he ushered in a new climate in international politics. He ushered in a new climate of expectation. Obama’s lack of experience in international politics was nullified. World leaders sensed that Obama was a person they could trust. He is a man of integrity. It is important to note that the new climate began on November 5, 2008, not January 20, 2009. By the time his name was submitted for the prize on February 1, 2009 it had been about three months.

I expected negative rhetoric from the Republican Party but from different people. My biggest disappointment was with Michael Steele; Chairman the Republican National Committee and his response to Obama winning the prize.

Steele really disappointed me when he said, "The real question Americans are asking is, 'What has President Obama actually accomplished?' It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights. One thing is certain - President Obama won't be receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility, or backing up rhetoric with concrete action." He doesn’t even realize that if Obama had not been elected President he wouldn’t have become RNC chairman. He doesn’t realize that he is just window dressing. Every time he opens his mouth he turns off other African Americans from even thinking about joining the Republican Party. The RNC is a magnate for the ignorant but they can’t sway smart people. To his credit he did criticize Rush Limbaugh.

John McCain was much more magnanimous. Here is what he had to say, “I can't divine [the Nobel Committee's] intentions, but I think part of their decision-making was expectations. And I'm sure the president understands that he now has even more to live up to. But as Americans, we're proud when our president receives an award of that prestigious category.” Thank you, John McCain, for taking the high road.

It’s sad that a prominent African American finds reason to criticize the fact that President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. And he has the audacity to presume to speak for Americans. Although Steele has the right to say what he said, a simple, “Congratulations Mister President,” would have shown that he has some class.

Indeed, all Americans should be proud that our President was selected from among 205 nominees from around the world. We must also understand that a call to action comes with the award. That means we must pray for President Barack Obama. The Nobel committee cited Obama’s vision. I believe the prize is meant to help manifest a vision that many of us feel has begun to emerge because Obama has created that new climate of international politics. When Barack Obama was elected President of the United States of America, the world … not just America, sensed there was something to look forward to. There is a real possibility of living in a better world with friendly neighbors.

The following is excerpted from an email I received via the Democratic National Committee sent to President Obama’s supporters:
“This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you; the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.” – President Barack Obama.

You believe the committee made a good decision don’t you? It is your faith in God that causes you to believe that the Nobel Peace Prize Committee made a good decision.

Americans, and particularly our two major political parties, need to stop acting ugly and constantly criticizing each other. If Obama steps off the curb with his left foot first, that to Conservative Republicans, proves he’s liberal and 100 percent of Republicans would demand that he step off with his right foot. If he steps off with his right foot, he would still be criticized. Fortunately, McCain usually speaks from his heart. Steele has to filter everything he says through political ugliness. He’s trying too hard to please the ultra right who will keep him sitting in the window.

If you are guessing that I don’t vote Republican you’re partly right. I have voted Republican. But, I usually vote Democratic. My preference is to be independent. My perception is that Republicans think they own the flag and the cross. They believe they are morally and intellectually superior to everyone else. Although I generally vote for the individual and not the party, in the rhetorical comments of Republican politicians there is a paucity of civility and a general lack of compassion. That causes me to lean to the opposite direction.

President Obama joins many other Americans who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize including former presidents of the United States and two African Americans, Dr. Ralph Bunche in 1950 and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1964. None of them sought the prize, campaigned for the prize or expected to receive the prize.

Congratulations Mister President. <>

Kairos Outside in New York City

The weekend of July 24-26, 2009 is a weekend that I’ll always remember. I was part of a team of 28 women and 4 men hosting 20 female Guests for a weekend called Kairos Outside NYC #1. It was an awesome weekend. It was a weekend prepared by God for 52 of His people. Blessed doesn’t adequately describe what we all experienced.

Kairos Outside is one of the prison ministries of Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. The ministries address the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women, children and their families and those who work in the prison environment.

The three main ministries are Kairos Inside which ministers to incarcerated men and women, Kairos Outside which ministers to women whose lives have been impacted by incarceration and Kairos Torch Youth Ministry which ministers to youth age 24 and younger who live in juvenile detention or correctional facilities. The initial introduction for the invitees is to participate in a Christian weekend similar to one of the Cursillo movement. Kairos has received blessing and encouragement of 4th Day movements such as Cursillo, Via de Cristo, Walk to Emmaus and Tres Dias. However, Kairos Prison Ministry is a ministry rather than a movement. It’s a ministry of the church. Following the weekend, invitees are encouraged to participate in reunions or support groups.

Karios Outside is a Christian Ministry that strives to bring healing, reconciliation and forgiveness to women who are affected by the incarceration of their loved ones. Kairos Outside began several years ago by Jo Chapman. She had a vision of expanding the Kairos’ ministry. Guests, as they are called, are the women who attend the weekend. They have close relatives or friends either currently incarcerated, previously incarcerated or have been incarcerated themselves. They serve time on the outside while their loved ones serve time on the inside. They rarely, if ever, tell anyone about their situation. In many cases they don’t even tell their pastor. It’s a painful secret they keep to themselves. Many feel a sense of shame.

There are Kairos Outside communities all over the United States and in Australia, Latin America, Africa, and the United Kingdom. This past weekend, we held the first such weekend in New York City (KO-NYC #1). It was held at the Passionist Spiritual Center/Cardinal Spellman Retreat House in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, NY. It’s a beautiful center on the banks of the Hudson River. This ministry was sorely needed in New York City because 85 percent men and women in the prisons of New York State come from the five boroughs of New York City. There are Kairos Outside communities in Elmira, NY and Mid-Hudson Valley, NY. Both are upstate New York. Until now there was none in New York City where most of the families of New York State inmates live.

Bringing this ministry to New York City is Coralie Joseph’s idea. She is a veteran of Kairos Inside. Coralie, along with my wife and about 50 other women have been participating in Kairos Inside in Fairfield County, Connecticut, for the past nine years. After contacting Jo Chapman about brining Kairos Outside to New York City and vigorously recruiting a team (including me), lots of prayers, two female clergy, more prayers, fund raising, lots of prayers, locating a local retreat site, lots more prayers, team meetings, and going through the process of inviting guests, the first weekend went off without a hitch. It was God’s weekend. The weekend costs $16,000 to $20,000. In the beginning of 2009 we had not one nickel. By the weekend in July 2009 the Holy Spirit had spoken to many hearts and we had the money needed. Our God is an awesome God.

The twenty guests arrived at the retreat center a little afraid and not sure of what to expect. They come from all walks of life. What they received was two and a half days of being treated like daughters of the King. And that’s who they are, Daughters of the King. They heard a series of talks from team members, many of whom have also been affected by incarceration. They had an opportunity to discuss the talks they heard in small family groups. There was plenty of music and lots of prayer. The food was outstanding and there was entertainment by the men on the team. Although the Weekend is Christian in nature religious affiliation is not necessary to attend. It was wonderful to watch the change from skepticism on Friday night to total involvement by Sunday afternoon.

The women learned that they are not alone with their secret. They had the opportunity to form relationships with other women who lived near them. They may choose to form support groups and keep in touch after the weekend. It’s difficult to explain how effective this ministry is to these women. They had an opportunity to share with members of the community that supported them during the weekend and tell what this weekend meant to them. With each woman who shared there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

I was one of four men on the ministry team. The others were Bill Cusano, Bruce Macleod and Robert Mandia. Our purpose was to serve at meal times, help with heavy lifting, decorating and providing entertainment. We told jokes at meal times, sang and did some clowning around as you see in the photo below. Then there was the main reason we were there. During each of the talks given by the women team members, our job was to pray during the talks. We were in another room near the community room where the talks were given. Each speaker was brought to our small chapel/prayer room before and after the talk. We prayed with the speakers before they gave their talks. We prayed while they were speaking in the community room to the guests. We prayed with the speakers after they gave their talks. The talks are not sermons or instructions. They are the speaker’s life journey. They are meant to convey to the listeners that they are not alone in the struggles of their own life’s journey. They are supported by prayer.

The guests had the security of knowing that what’s said on the weekend stays on the weekend. No one asks about their loved one who was incarcerated. The focus is on the guest. The message was, “You are loved by Jesus and by all of us unconditionally.”

This one article doesn’t begin to describe what a blessing Kairos Outside is to everyone who participates … guests … team members … day angels and community supporters. The photos are courtesy of team members Bill Cusano and Elizabeth Pritchard. Only team members are pictured.

We hope you will visit the Kairos Outside NYC website and decide how you will support this important ministry. Starting in 2010 we plan to sponsor two weekends a year. If your church is in New York City or Westchester NY, I’ll be glad to visit and discuss the ministry with your pastor and ministry leaders. <>

Music in Worship - Part II

Wow! I just arrived home from a truly wonderful, musical, worshipful day … it was called a Retreat in Song and Sacrament, held Friday, June 26, 2009 at Broadway Presbyterian Church in New York City. Broadway PC almost seems part of the Columbia University campus. The flyer advertizing the event read, “All are invited to be a part of a spiritually enriching workshop about new ways to worship with music.” The retreat was lead by Professor Patrick Evans, Associate Professor in the Practice of Sacred Music at Yale Divinity School and Artist-in-Residence at Broadway Presbyterian Church. Spiritually enriching it was. Anyone, regardless of music talent, knowledge or experience would have had a joyful time.

Patrick (Professor Evans) had us singing Christian music from all over the world. We sang in two part, three part, four part and six part harmonies. We sang in rounds and we mostly sang without accompaniment or music in front of us. We didn’t sit according to bass, tenor, alto and soprano. It was beautiful. I’ve been singing in the choir for most of my adult life and I’ve learned more about singing in the last three years than I did the first forty. I certainly learned a lot yesterday at Broadway PC.

For Presbyterians who feel that Presbyterian hymns from the Presbyterian Hymnal are all we should sing, Patrick read from the Book of Order, W-2.2008, which talks about other forms of proclamation. We read, “Drama and dance, poetry and pageant, indeed, most other human art forms are also expressions through which the people of God have proclaimed and responded to the Word.” I would urge you to look it up and read it for yourself. He also read from W-1.2005, regarding authentic and appropriate language. Read both of these to the worship committee of your church. The Book of Order doesn’t limit our worship to a narrow corridor of music, language, expression. Generally, whatever we think is Presbyterian is usually whatever we grew up with in our local church. If there was liturgical dance in your Presbyterian church then liturgical dance was Presbyterian and if there wasn’t then how dare they bring that into the church. Of course, not everyone agrees with everything in the Book of Order. Some local churches purposely did things different in order to distinguish themselves from other denominations in town or the church across the street.

We sang songs from South Africa, Brazil, Pakistan, Ghana, the Iona Community, Peru, Korea, Argentina, America and other parts of the world. We sang in English, Spanish, Korean, and Zulu. We sang African American Spirituals, some classical songs, some of just about everything spiritually musical.

During the retreat Patrick had us all hum the same note. Then he had us put our fingers in our ears for a few moments and take them out again. He asked us what we felt with the fingers in our ears and with them out. With our fingers out, we felt joined together. With our fingers in, we felt separated … alone. Music joins us together when we are singing or dancing to the same music. Singing together, we actually touch each other. We are one. He talked about how much better it is when we sing facing each other as in Sacred Harp Singing as opposed to singing in church where we sing to the back of someone’s head while someone else sings to the back of out. Patrick suggested that everyone can and should sing. Sadly, there are those who come to worship every Sunday and don’t sing. They are missing out on a significant part of the worship experience. “Give up the idea that your voice is less than the voice of an angel. Sing to the Lord a new song.”

There was a large variety of music resources, from the African American Heritage Hymnal to Lutheran Book of Worship to the Presbyterian Hymnal to references from the Iona Community to Sacred Harp Singing. All are appropriate for worship in the Presbyterian Church … in any church of Jesus Christ for that matter. Personally, I think every Christian should worship at two or three other churches during the year. Participate in the worship and focus on what you have in common.

Recently, PBS presented a program called, “Music Instinct: Science & Song.” Except for the science part, it was remarkably similar in many ways to what we experienced first hand at Broadway Presbyterian Church.

We ended the day celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion which also included a lot of music. What I have just read from me doesn’t do the event justice. You had to be there. You really had to be there! I met new friends and renewed old friendships. Broadway’s Pastor, The Reverend Krystin Granberg, promised this or a similar retreat will be presented again. Stay tuned. <>

Betty Simmons ... former slave

My mom passed away on Friday, February 27, 2009. The very next day we were gathered at my sister's home in Hollis Queens, NY. My niece, Awura-Adzua, showed me a printout from a website which brought more tears to my eyes. It was a five page slave narrative given by my great-great-grandmother, Betty Simmons, back in the 1930's. (Click on the title to read her narrative)

My grand-nephew, Christopher, wanted to write something about someone interesting in our family. He heard that my grandfather, Alexander Thompson, had been a circus performer. So, he and his mother searched the internet looking for information about him. They found nothing on Alexander but my niece kept searching for the names of other family members. She found a website called Texas Slave Narratives. On that website she found Betty Simmons’ slave narrative and there was a photo of Betty with the narrative. Betty Simmons was a former slave. She was stolen from Alabama and sold to a new slave owner in Texas. They had slave rustlers back then just like the old west had cattle rustlers. Betty ended up in Beaumont, Texas where she settled after emancipation.

The Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938 contain more than 2,300 first-person accounts of slavery and 500 black-and-white photographs of former slaves. These narratives were collected in the 1930s as part of the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and assembled and microfilmed in 1941 as the seventeen-volume Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves. Thanks to the Library of Congress we all have online access to them. Many of the narratives are written in what is known as dialect. The federal writers wrote what they heard. They are difficult to read for some people. If you’ve ever read the dialect poems of poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar, you have an idea of what these slave narratives are like. Of course, Dunbar was a brilliant African American poet. So too, those who gave these narratives are brilliant in their own right having survived slavery in America.

Betty Simmons, my great-great-grandmother, died in 1941, the year before I was born. She was 108 years old. I always knew about her from my mother. I used to think to myself, "One more year great-great-grandma ... had you lived just one more year we would have lived briefly together." Never did I dream that I would actually read five pages of words spoken by her.

In 1986 our family held a family reunion in Silsbee, Texas at the home of my aunt, Fannell Moffett. Silsbee, TX is 21 miles north of Beaumont, TX. My aunt Mayetta Thompson Reed, who is the eldest living person on my mother’s side of the family, gave us a lot of family genealogy and history. We learned that my grandfather, Alexander Thompson, the former circus performer, used to walk a tightrope while blindfolded. She talked about her great-grandmother, Betty Simmons, giving us the names of Betty’s children. One of Betty’s children was Mittie who was my mother’s and Aunt Mayetta’s grandmother. To us, finding this narrative by our ancestor was so very exciting. And we also have a typed account of Aunt Mayetta’s family genealogy and stories. It’s a link to our past that we probably would not have without online access. (Ironically or is it the work of the Holy Spirit, Dora, my wife handed be a piece of paper titled, "Family History told by Mayetta Thompson Reed to Tyrone Monro." She found it while spring cleaning and handed it to me while I was typing this article.) Tyrone is my brother-in-law. It was written immediately following the family reunion. When my son, Raymond, tried to find Betty online, he found the full length photograph of Betty Simmons you see here.
Now, my family members are logging onto Ancestry.com and similar websites, setting up accounts and getting excited. What happens during these searches is sometimes you may be searching and a distant relative is also searching. Somehow the two of you link up as my niece tried to explain to me.

I’m just so happy that my six grandchildren will have the opportunity to pass on a narrative spoken by their great-great-great-great-grandmother, and two photographs of Betty Simmons … former slave. <>

Music and Worship

In 2007 and 2008 I had the opportunity to write articles for the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s daily devotional, "These Days." Over the years I have written articles and essays for insurance, financial and business publications. Now, there is this new thing called blogging and this is my first. Sharing my musings with others sounds exciting. But first let me introduce myself.

I'm an African American Presbyterian. I'm an Elder and member of Eastchester Presbyterian Church, Bronx NY. I retired four years ago. Dora, my wife, and I were married forty-four years ago and we now have two adult children and six adorable grandchildren.

I love music, especially music in church. I have sung in the choir for most of my adult life. Dora bought me a set of conga drums some time ago and this past Christmas she gave me a guitar. A few years ago a friend gave me some professional bongos. I've had the opportunity to play the congas and bongos in church and on Christian weekend retreats knows as Tres Dias. On those weekends I play with other musicians who play the guitar, bass, tambourine and keyboard. I'm learning to play the guitar using a worship songbook.

I've worshiped in quite a number of churches and denominations and heard all kings of "church" music. Various ethnic groups and cultures have traditions where some of their religious or church music sounds like their secular music. Some people believe the style of music they themselves sing is the one and only style of music that should be sung in church. I once heard a commentator on a Christian radio station denounce any up tempo music sung in church as not fit for worship. He believed that what we call, "praise singing," with hand clapping didn't belong in worship. There are some who believe gospel music is only for performance and not for worship. There are others who feel the same way about classical and other styles of music. Movies and television has influenced some people's attitudes towards the church music of certain cultures. Movies and television tends to over exaggerate gospel music, for example.

At my church we hear and sing many styles of music. If you visit us you might hear gospel music one Sunday and Handel the next or both in one worship service. No doubt here are probably some in our congregation who would prefer to hear only one music style and no other. As Rick Warren said, "It is words that make a song sacred, not the tune." Music style and tempo are man made and God inspired.

The popular gospel singers, The Blind Boys of Alabama, rocked the Christian music world when they performed and recorded the well known hymn, "Amazing Grace," to the tune of, "House of the Rising Sun." Many people didn't like it because it broke from the familiar, traditional tune. Did you know that the tune for Amazing Grace we are familiar with is not the original tune? The familiar, or what has become the traditional, tune wasn't added to the words until fifty years after Amazing Grace was written? Regardless of the tune the words are the same and the sincerity of the hearts of the singers is the same. I imagine there are those who object to today's "Hip Hop Gospel" or "Gospel Rap." That's too bad. God loves praise. We read in 2 Samuel 6:5, "David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals."niv Sistrums are like castanets. The Message translation says they were, "...singing at the top of their lungs." Can you imagine David shouting, "Hallelujah" at the top of his lungs? He probably did.

Here's the thing ... all music is not pleasing to every ear. I know of two churches here in New York City that wanted to ban drums being played by other worshiping communities that used their sanctuaries on Sunday afternoons. It's a shame that people can be so narrow minded. The Bible has stories that tell of merry worship music using strings and percussion. Words of praise are music to God's ear. The Bible says, "Shout," and the Bible says, "Be Still."

Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn before the left the Upper Room following the Lord's Supper. (see Matthew 26:30) I'd like to know what hymn Jesus and His disciples sang on the night He was betrayed. Hymns are sung throughout the Bible's Old and New Testaments. We have the words to some of those songs. But, we don't have the music.

The following is an excerpt from the book, "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren:

"Worship is far more than music. For many people, worship is just a synonym for music. They say, 'At our church we have the worship first, and then the teaching.' This is a big misunderstanding. Every part of a church service is an act of worship: praying, Scripture reading, singing, confession, silence, being still, listening to a sermon, taking notes, giving an offering, communion, signing a commitment card, and even greeting other worshipers.

Actually, worship predates music. Adam worshiped in the Garden of Eden, but music isn't mentioned until Genesis 4:21 with the birth of Jubal. If worship were just music, then all who are nonmusical could never worship. Worship is far more than music.

Even worse, 'worship' is often misused to refer to a particular style of music: 'First we sang a hymn, then a praise and worship song." Or, "I like the fast praise songs but enjoy the slow worship songs the most.' In this usage, if a song is fast or loud or uses brass instruments, it's considered 'praise.' But if it is slow and quiet and intimate, maybe accompanied by guitar, that's worship. This is a common misuse of the term 'worship.'

Worship has nothing to do with the style or volume or speed of a song. God loves all kinds of music because he invented it all - fast and slow, loud and soft, old and new. You probably don't like it all, but God does! If it is offered to God in spirit and truth, it is an act of worship.

Christians often disagree over the style of music used in worship, passionately defending their preferred style as the most biblical or God-honoring. But there is no biblical style! There are no musical notes in the Bible; we don't even have the instruments they used in Bible times.

Frankly, the music style you like best says more about you - your background and personality - than it does about God. One ethnic group's music can sound like noise to another. But God likes variety and enjoys it all.

There is no such thing as 'Christian' music; there are only Christian lyrics. It is the words that make a song sacred, not the tune. There are no spiritual tunes. If I played a song for you without the words, you'd have no way of knowing if it were a 'Christian' song."1

I've heard people from a church that worships using up beat music with drums and tambourines say, "I don't see how people can sit still and not clap their hands and shout when they are worshiping God." Well, brothers and sisters, the fact is they can. God doesn't look on either of you more favorably based on your worship expression. As Rick Warren says, "... there is no biblical style."

Whether you are in your home church or visiting another church, worship God with other believers in their tradition. Especially when visiting another church, worship God in spirit and in truth with your whole heart and mind. <> Lloyd

1 Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, Zondervan 2002