These musings have come to bear on the new stadium being planned for Atlanta.  Here’s why: two churches sit at the crossroads of the new stadium’s proposed site.  One is Friendship Baptist Church.  It’s the oldest African American Baptist congregation in Atlanta.  Founded in 1866 — 151 years ago, Friendship is a firm foundation and the harbinger of spiritual, cultural and educational milestones in Atlanta’s black community.

Our Mayor has assured us that he has no intentions of trying to force two powerful, historical congregations to sell their property, to make room for it.  If these churches choose to relocate, they will do so by the authority of their individual congregations only – not by our city’s force.

Let’s illuminate how big this decision must be.

1. Friendship Church housed the first classroom of Clark Atlanta University in a box car, shared by the church and the university, but owned by the church.
2. In 1879, when Morehouse College relocated from Augusta to Atlanta, it initially held classes at Friendship.
3. In 1881, Spelman College was founded in the basement of the church’s limited facilities.
4. Eight thriving African American churches have grown out of Friendship.  They are currently making an enriching contribution to all citizens of Atlanta.
5. The father of our first black mayor, Dr. Maynard H. Jackson, Sr.  led this congregation from 1945-1953.  Under his leadership the congregation engaged in an extensive community outreach ministry, a housing center for the aged and a recreation center for youth living in the community.
6. Two Morehouse professors served as pastors of this congregation, Dr. Samuel W. Williams (1954-1970) and Dr. William V. Guy (1971-2007).  Dr. Samuel Williams was a strong advocate for national civil rights, and a founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta.

There may come a day when pilgrimages to Friendship are made, just as people from all over the world, all different religions come to the Martin Luther King Center here in the heart of our city.  They come to gain perspective, to be illumined.  Let us avoid a historical brownout.  At Friendship Baptist, let’s keep the light on!

Friendship will soon decide about relocating.  I am sure its decision will be made deliberately and prayerfully.  Friendship provides a historical and relevant role model for the best in our community and in Atlanta.  Let’s work for a win-win for the Falcons we cherish, a church we love and a city filled with opportunity.  Let’s avoid a brownout.

-Rev. Joseph L. Roberts, Jr.

There is nothing like the Grand Canyon, and to partake in it’s awe-inspiring majesty and beauty at sunrise, midday, and at sunset, with spiritually inclined people, is soul-stirring and deeply moving. Not only are the Canyon’s seven ecosystems brimming with diverse life, the Canyon itself seems to be alive as the colors, shapes, forms, and landscapes constantly change in response to sunlight  and the position or disposition of the viewer. Six million years old, 277 miles long, 10 miles wide, 1 mile deep, exposed cliffs and pinnacles, expose the wonders of Earth and the Grandeur of God, while invoking humility as deep and expansive in the hearts and minds of observant human beings.Upon one of these many cliffs, we shared in an inspiring Christian worship service.

After 3 days at the Canyon, we passed through the Petrified Forest en-route to the Navajo Capital of Window Rock, Az. There we were welcomed and enlightened by a Navajo Cultural Practitioner (Medicine-man), who shared with us the sad and sordid history between the Native Americans and the U.S. Government. Nothing there for any of us to be proud of, and that wretched  history continues today through the discriminative policies that dis-empower the Reservations and Indian tradition. Inspite of it all, the Navajo, Hopi, and other tribes have held on to the love and reverence of nature, the earth , it’s creatures, and the human responsibility to live in harmony with the creation and to serve as caretakers, and not exploiters. Our Practitioner said if you care for the Earth, it will take care of you. To him the earth is us and it’s vegetation is our Pharmacy. It was here, under the huge oval opening in a mountainous rock that gave Window Rock it’s name, that we collectively observed the Muslim Jumuah Prayer.

The next day we traveled to Sedona to immerse in the beauty of the red rock formations that are acclaimed to be  a vortex of spiritual energy. It is indeed mesmerizing, and the perfect setting for our Shabbot (Jewish Sabbath) Service.  Once again, Pilgrims returned more enlightened and appreciative of the others’ faith and of their own, and more committed to interfaith collaboration for the benefit of our City and as an investment towards the renewal and preservation of our Earth and Humanity.

submitted by Plemon T. El-Amin

In early April and for the first time in 183 years, a woman led the closing prayer at the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Then, last week, a former nun from Kentucky was “irregularly” ordained into the priesthood by a dissident group of American Catholics.

At present, at least half of American Protestant denominations do allow for the ordination of women, but that has been the case for a relatively short period of history.  When I was a young girl, a vocational path toward ministry was not in the realm of possibility, and hey, I am not that old!  The situation did not keep me from engaging in my favorite make-believe game, which I called “Playing Preacher.” I would line up my dolls and stuffed animals on the bed and deliver unto them very heartfelt “sermons.”  I have never had a more attentive congregation.  Not a muscle moved.  Not an eye blinked.

To be sure, much progress has been made in terms of women being accepted into all the offices of ministry, but much is yet to be realized.  For example, women can be ordained as priests in the Church of England, but they cannot become bishops.  Seminaries are full of qualified female students, but they often have a more difficult time than their male classmates in receiving calls from congregations.

Reform and Conservative Judaism allow women to be rabbis, but Orthodox Judaism does not. Orthodox Christian communions do not permit the ordination of women.  Though Islam does not have ordained offices as such, the role of imam is customarily limited to men.  In some instances, women are allowed to lead prayers for other women but rarely for men or mixed groups.

I think of the millions of women throughout history who have been excluded from spiritual leadership because of gender.  I think of those who want to serve now and still find the door of priestly/pastoral vocation closed to them. Of course, throughout the ages, women have served God in countless ways. They have studied theology and taught the Bible.  They have cared for the children, led mission work and ministered to the sick. In the Hebrew Scriptures we encounter women judges and prophets and saviors of the people.  In the Christian Scriptures women are close followers of Jesus Christ and are the first witnesses to the resurrection.  We’ve been there all along but often disregarded or relegated to secondary status.

In 1893, Antoinette Brown told a gathering of the World’s Parliament of Religions,

Women are needed in the pulpit

     as imperatively and for the same

         reason they are needed in the world

. . .because they are women. . .

                                                                         they [are] indispensable to the religious evolution of the human race.   

I pray for the day when women and men, who are already equal in the eyes of God, will be equal in the eyes of their faith communities.  It’s way past time.

-Rev. Joanna Adams

As theories begin to trickle in, as we try to learn the motivation behind the Boston bombings, we try to discern the truth as to how these two brothers inflicted such horror on Boston and our nation. Will the whole truth ever be known? Possibly. But what matters most is the question, “where do we go from here?”

Certainly, there will be ever tighter security measures. That is a given. But a much more difficult question is how can we break through the walls of hatred that exist in those who hate us? Perhaps I am going out on a limb here. But it appears there is a strong possibility that these two young men were influenced by radical Islamists. Therefore, I appeal to my Muslim brothers and sisters please, please exercise every fiber of your being to try to get through to those who would hate in the name of Islam. Pierce their fortress of hate with your true understanding of Islam as a religion that is not bathed in the blood of innocent lives, but a religion that understands each of us, no matter the religious label we wear, as a precious child of God.

AMS

Is it coincidental (or providential) that this week, our Senate deliberates and may vote on modifications of our current gun regulations?  Gun purchasers will only be requested to undergo a background check. This really just slightly infringes on our second amendment arms rights.

The vote was brought on by the late 2012 massacre in Newtown, Connecticut: 20 little children and seven staff members brutally killed by a sick man with an assault weapon. Don’t we admire the tearful relatives and friends from Newtown who lobbied for congressional action?

And, dare not forget Atlanta. During the 1996 Olympic Games, Eric Rudolph, the anti-abortionist, who without rhyme or reason exploded a bomb in the Olympic Park killing two, and seriously injuring 150 others, and the list goes on and on.

What could I point out that might provide some light as we face this darkness? What might begin to heal the wounds, not primarily of the body, but the bereaved souls when relatives are afflicted, with no warning.

Jesus said, in Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  This sounds like a defense tactic – but, how do we hold on until comfort comes? The wounds are too fresh, the tears won’t stop. What can we do?

G.K. Chesterton shakes us up when he writes, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been difficult and left untried.” Ugh.  He’s right.  This has been our problem since the Garden of Eden – you remember Eve and the crafty serpent:

“Did God say you shall not eat from any tree in the Garden?”

The woman answered, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, you shall not eat of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die . . .”

So, why did the flagrant disobey their Creator?  It’s simple — they didn’t want to be bothered with Him interfering in their lives any longer. They would eliminate God and have absolute power and control over the whole world themselves. They could do what they pleased.  Live in the moment.

This is really not difficult for us to comprehend. In fact, it is our desire in 2013. Now, I know this is an exaggerated allegation, but we also want super power and super control over God’s whole world.

There is almost one gun for every citizen in the USA, making us the most heavily armed country in the world, with the highest gun murder rate on earth.

Here are a few practical suggestions to consider, as we seek a less violent city:

• Volunteer with effective organizations trying to rehabilitate drug addicts, working first with those who are very young.  (With professional advisors to guide this sensitive project, involve STRONG COUPLES as role models for our addicts.)
• Help seek employment for those with criminal records.
• Provide anger management resources for all in need of our communities, especially designed to curb domestic violence in our homes.
• Understand how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affects so many of our military personnel returning home from war.  Strongly support treatment centers designed to help them (VA has resources available).
• Let your Congress know that in the future, you will insist on nationally enforced legislation, banning assault weapons.
• Place a high tax on all guns and ammunition purchased.  Then, let’s donate these funds to families of fallen law enforcement officers, and wounded, military personnel returning home.
• Parents— do not allow our children to play violent TV games or watch violent movies.

At present, this killing is beyond our comprehension, yet we are not without hope.

Let us not forget this promise, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Or this core problem: “This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light.”  (John 3:19)

Between the problems and the promises is the silver lining that it’s not too late.  “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  Join me.  Reach out and share — what are we doing to bring comfort to those who mourn?

Joseph L. Roberts

                   I applaud the Mayor and the City Council for securing the commitment of $50 million to be invested in the community surrounding the Falcons’ new stadium. However, it is perplexing to me that the City continues to obstruct the livelihoods of grassroots vendors, who bring merchandise, personality, and character to downtown and around the major sporting venues. No permits for street vending have been issued by the City of Atlanta this year and authorities have been instructed to shutdown all Turner Field, Georgia Dome, West End, and downtown vendor stands, devastating income opportunities for over 30 families during the Braves home opening, the Final Four, and spring break.

                    A Fulton County Court, in favor of the local vendors, recently struck down  the City’s agreement with General Growth Properties (GGP) to manage all street vending, ruling that the contract established an exclusive franchise and monopoly over public resources. GGP owns, develops, or manages over 200 malls in 44 States, including Cumberland, Perimeter, North Point, and Southlake Malls locally.

                    It is time for our City to embrace these bootstrap vendors who work hard to provide for their families, while fulfilling a demand for legal merchandise and authentic Atlanta charisma. There’s nothing wrong with requiring appropriate presentation and business etiquette, but to undermine the legitimate work efforts of struggling local street vendors in preference to well-heeled out-of state corporate entities, is unacceptable to me. The City of Atlanta must accept its responsibility to serve all of our citizens, including ‘the least of these’ and certainly those who are enterprising enough to produce work for themselves. And how can you be against panhandlers and not be for vendors?

                 ”Everyone starts his day as a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin.”   Prophet Muhammed (pbuh)

Submitted by Plemon T. El-Amin

There are tragedies up one side and down the other in this terrible episode which shows no sign of being over any time soon.  The children are the biggest losers in this mess, and certainly for their sake, justice must be done.  For the sake of those charged with criminal wrongdoing, justice must be done; indeed, for the sake of our society, governed by law, justice must be done. Has not the time come to leave what happens next in the hands of the courts, and get on with the business of educating Atlanta’s children?

Why don’t we concentrate now on taking positive steps in support of our public schools?   Why don’t we give thanks to God for dedicated public school teachers and principals, for crossing guards and lunch room ladies, soccer coaches and office administrators, reading specialists and all those who get up every day determined to make sure the kids of our city have a great day at school and a great life as a consequence of what they have learned in school? Why don’t we volunteer to be a tutor or a mentor? Why don’t we offer moral and political support to the current leadership of Atlanta Public Schools?

Perhaps I am biased about these matters, but I have reason to be. I attended public school and received a wonderful education.  After graduating from college, I began teaching English in an Atlanta high school.  The kids I taught were only a few years younger than I.  Together, we had the grandest adventures imaginable, traveling from ancient Rome via Julius Caesar to London via Great Expectations. Together, we grew in such deep ways that their lives and mine were changed forever.  I have never had a more demanding job or a more meaningful one.  A couple of years ago, I attended the 40^th reunion of one of the classes I taught.  Collectively and individually, they had turned out really swell.

I believe that public schools are the most important institutions in America.  If they are broken, let’s fix them, but let us never allow cynicism or negativity to carry the day.

The shadows of scandal will linger, but Atlanta’s children don’t have a single day to waste.  Their tomorrows are pressing in. For their sake, let’s move toward the light as soon as we can.

-Rev. Joanna Adams

One religious group challenged us to share ways to remain faith focused, without being faith based.  A heavy, almost impossible assignment, but we dare not lose sight of it.

Let’s begin with this question posted by Pastor Kyle Childress…

How can an individual or institution make a witness, or even be heard, without majority power?

Indeed, being outnumbered does force us to think differently, to be creative and imaginative.  Dr. Will Campbell reminded the church of its “pioneering edge”.  We are to get out in front of the things the wider society is reluctant to try, because it is too big, too influential, and too wealthy to be creative with others.  This was Dr. King’s method during the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s.  It is still valid in 2013.

Let’s focus briefly on the struggle to combat HIV/AIDS.

We are grateful for the progress medical and pharmaceutical science have made.  It may soon be possible to eliminate the scour of AIDS forever.  What a blessed thought.  HOWEVER, even if a cure is found, it won’t mean the struggle is over.

Peter Prove claims that we will not overcome this disease with pharmaceuticals alone.  We need the “software” approach as well.  Community based programs will always be necessary to combat the discrimination and stigma that makes AIDS so feared and so misunderstood.  But above all, if planning is to be fruitful, women must be at the decision making table.

Finola Finnan urges us to put the spotlight on people at the margins, especially women.  Did you know that the rate of HIV among black women in Raleigh, NC is HIGHER than the rate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

It’s a mixed bag! In 2011 the number of people receiving antiretroviral medicines rose 20% to eight million, yet another eight million who need HIV treatment have not received it.  The glass is only half full…

John Yoder talks about the modeling mission of the minority minded church.  It seeks out projects the powerful might ignore.  This subject and the witness of our newly elected Pope Francis really convicts me.  I have done so little to involve myself in this struggle.  How about you?  Are we becoming more faith focused without being faith biased?

Joseph L. Roberts, Jr.

                   It was a lovely and inspiring day of memories, accolades, and laughter lavished on my uncle and my aunt Grace Whatley Hinds, as they sat at the head table, occasionally taking a quick nap or two in the midst of it all. Both of them had been Atlanta public school educators who gave lifetimes of service towards the training and mentoring of young people. They have been real neighbors and caring friends. It was that legacy of love and service that has kept alive relationships across generations, and brought so many out. Yet, there is another story of an unsung hero that  made it all possible.

                    Their daughter, Sylvia Hinds Reid, has cared for her parents with impeccable compassion and service  for the past 15 years. She laughs, saying that each is in the “prime of their senility”,  while keeping them healthy, engaged, comfortable, and in their own home. Her mother did the same for our grandmother and two great aunts. It’s a daunting task and, these days, an uncommon sacrifice, but a service of such importance that it adds years to one’s life, quality to one’s years, and a deep sense of fulfillment to both the recipient and the caregiver.

More of us are living to see 80, 90, and 100 years of age, and as we do, it is my prayer that there is a Sylvia in each of our lives to comfort, protect, and appreciate us. The best  assurance of that however, is to be that caring person to others while the strength and opportunity is yours.

“Wisdom is knowing what to do next, Virtue is doing it.”

Submitted by Plemon El-Amin

We are not told where the Good Samaritan went after he left.  Perhaps, he went on about his business, having done one very good deed and being done with the travails of the stranger.

Yet, I wonder.

Given the amount of compassion in his soul, isn’t it at least possible that when he left the inn, he headed back to Jerusalem, the place where public policies and priorities were set?  Would he have tried to get something done about the bandits on the Jericho Road?

Right now, our Georgia Legislature is busy setting significant public priorities and policies that will affect the well-being of millions of Georgians.  Is it not our responsibility as citizens to speak up on behalf of those among us who cannot speak for themselves?  Especially the most vulnerable among us – the children, the elderly, those who suffer from mental and physical disabilities, those who are daily beaten up by poverty? Isn’t good  policy nothing more or less than compassion gone public?  Yes, government can drive us crazy with its excess and its inefficiencies, but we can’t leave home and travel safely through life without it.

John Winthrop, a Puritan layman, spoke aboard the Arabella before it landed in 1620.  In his sermon, he outlined a vision that would eventually become the moral framework of a new nation.  He spoke of the need to put the good of the whole before the good of self.  He said that if those coming to the New World were unable to share their abundance with those in need, if they were unwilling to take their public responsibility more seriously than their private convenience, then the new society they were trying to create would be no better than the one they were trying to escape.  “We must be knit together in this work as one… we must make each other’s condition our own,” he said.

Self and society: it’s the only way America is going to make it another 393 years.