Saturday, October 14, 2017

Read These Books To Survive These Times

Certain books written in this season are especially well-suited to survival. They're the proper mix of readable, inspiring, and strategic. These days, it's essential to see things as they are, and discover the tools necessary to overcome the anxiety born of responsibility stripped of agency.

My favorite by far is Al Franken's Giant of the Senate. Not only is it sidesplittingly hilarious, it also will teach you more about political strategy than any serious tome. Learn about "the pivot," political cover, campaigning, bipartisan strategy, with an extra helping of backstory on Saturday Night Live.

After Franken, take time to read Hillary Clinton's What Happened. You'll be caught off-guard by her humility and self-searching analysis of "what happened." She's written the book to inspire those who read it with practical steps forward from here.

I listened to both Franken and Clinton on Audible, and I highly recommend listening to the books, as they are read by their authors.

Next, I recommend you read writers on writing. My favorites of late are Toni Morrison's The Origin of Others and John McPhee's Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process. Morrison analyzes the themes in her own works, which will be of interest to everyone who has read her novels and wonders how she has accomplished so much that resonates with readers. McPhee is simply glorious in his prose, and will inspire you at every turn. You'll want to write better, which in an era when great prose is in short supply, is crucial.

I tend to believe some of what is exhausting progressives in this era is their erroneous assumption that world is ineluctably moving forward and improving. It isn't. False forms of hope often protect oppressive structures, and De La Torre argues that we must "mess with" the structures themselves by Embracing Hopelessness.

This also means all of us, leaders in faith communities, needs to discover better avenues for Caring for Souls in a Neoliberal Age. Many previous forms of soul-care, seelsorge, pastoral ministry, were designed for a church that no longer exists, in a historical period that we've moved beyond. Today instead we're trying to figure out how (not) to be secular, which is a different assignment altogether.

We're also trying to figure out how to "not die" (see The Lego Movie). For that reason, we need books like Leah Schade's on Creation-Crisis Preaching, because we need a way of talking about the faith sensitive to eco-feminism, a language of faith committed to creation care and lifting strengthening women in community.

Finally, I recommend pre-ordering Faith In Action: A Handbook for Activists from the Faith in Action Writing Collective. Just in time for Christmas, it will offer practical direction for action by advocates, allies, and activists.






Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Emergency Update from Lutheran World Relief

***EMERGENCY UPDATE***

Dear Clint,

I just spoke with a colleague about the desperate situation in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, and things still aren’t looking good. Families remain in crisis throughout the island with little access to food, water and electricity.

Unfortunately, this situation is not unfolding in isolation. At the same time:
  • More than 1,000 people have died from flooding in Nepal and India, which has also washed away crops many poor families depend on to survive.
  • Several nations in Africa – including South Sudan, which is mired in conflict – are teetering on the brink of famine.
  • Conflict in the Middle East – particularly in Iraq and Syria – has created a refugee crisis of epic proportions. In fact, a colleague with more than 20 years in humanitarian response just visited Iraq and says the destruction there is the worst he’s ever seen.
Friends like you are helping to respond to all of these situations – including in Puerto Rico – but we need to do more. That’s why today I’m writing to ask you to make an additional gift, above and beyond your usual generous support, so that together we can reach families in crisis right now.

Each man, woman or child you reach with your gift is a blessing. Together, let’s respond to God’s call.

In a world of crisis, let’s do a world of good.
Donate Now
Please give as generously as you can.

In Christ,

Daniel Speckhard
President & CEO
Lutheran World Relief
Copyright © 2017 Lutheran World Relief, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you gave a gift, filled out a contact card, or opted in on our website.

Mail donations to:
Lutheran World Relief
PO Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21297-1061

Our address is:
Lutheran World Relief
700 Light St.
BaltimoreMD  21230