Curmudgeon: An Unlikely Army Chaplain

I just read a wonderful blog by an "unlikely Army Chaplain." He is a Jesuit Priest and has a great style of writing. He's got a great sense of humor and speaks with a great honesty and humility. Three things I think are essential to posses when working as a spiritual companion! He's currently writing about his two favorite prayers, "Help Me," and "Thank You." Check it out.

Reading this blog helps me feel a little bit better about the soldiers who are still stuck in this war. I hope there are other chaplains like this man, serving and companioning over there.

UU Petaluma Dream Talk

I recently had the opportunity to speak at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Petaluma, CA and my beloved husband filmed it so all of you who couldn't make it can enjoy it too!

The subject of my talk, "Crafting an Authentic Life Through Dreamwork." Enjoy!

Part One and Part Two

No on Proposition 8!

the "jumping broom"
covered in ribbon blessings

I try not to get too political with this blog, if only because I firmly believe that religion and politics do not good bedfellows make. And interestingly enough, that is why I feel it is O.K. and even important to say in this blog that it is really imperative that all we Californians vote NO on Proposition 8.

The  proponents of Proposition 8 (the California Family Council, the Santa Ana Unified School District and the Coalition of African American Pastors) do not admit that their legislative attempt is religious. They are using California children as a screen to hide behind - "Teachers could be required to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage!" (taken directly from California's Official Voter Guide). This is a ridiculous scare tactic that isn't even true (notice the word "could" in there). They are hiding their religious agenda and it makes me sick to my stomach - at least be honest about it!

In the end, this is not a religious issue. It is a human being issue. Same sex couples are human beings and should have the right to marry if they choose. What is so hard to understand about that?

Proposition 8 eliminates the rights of same-sex couples to marry. In May 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that statutes that limit marriage to a relationship between a man and a woman violates the equal protection clause of the California Constitution. As a result, currently, same sex marriage is recognized as valid and legal in California.

I am an Interfaith Minister by profession and one of the reasons that I chose this path is that I feel we ALL deserve to have a minister to celebrate and witness all the joys and major life experiences on our journey. Officiating weddings is one of my favorite things to do as a minister and I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to perform LEGAL wedding ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples.

I did a wonderful wedding this past weekend for two incredible, loving women who have been together 9 years and have a son together. I wish all the creators of Proposition 8 could have been at this wedding to witness the outpouring of love, joy and celebration during this ceremony. How can anyone witness that kind of love and support for a couple NOT support the idea that they deserve and have every right to be legally wed? It really boggles my mind.

As you see in this photo, I am holding a broom that has been tied with ribbons of blessing for the couple. This particular couple decided, along with vows and their ring exchange, to jump the broom, in honor of the decades that they were not allowed to marry each other, under the eyes of the legally binding body of our state. The ritual of jumping the broom has been used by both African-American slaves and Roma (also known as gypsies) to honor life commitments and marriage ceremonies.


Here is a quote from my sermon about the broom, from the ceremony:

Jumping the broom is a tradition that was started in cultures in which certain groups of people, were not allowed to legally marry, due to ignorance, discrimination and cruelty.

Joyfully, today’s ceremony is legal in the state of California, and {our couple] also wanted to honor the fact that this very act of uniting together in legal matrimony has been illegal for so long. This jumping of the broom, honors those 9 years spent together, and the commitment they have already made, as well as honoring this delightful day when all of you can witness them in their holy promise to each other.

Here’s what you can do to help defeat Proposition 8 (taken directly from Equality California PACs site).

• Make a Donation
  The cost of airtime doubles in the fall, when many candidates and organizations all vie for advertising time. More information>>
  
• Volunteer
  Join our group of like-minded advocates who are reaching out to NO on 8 supporters at organized phone banks and recruitment events. More Information>>
  
• Host a House PartyYou don't need a house to hold a Get Engaged event. Host an event that raises awareness and funds for No on 8. Register your event to download a host kit that gives you everything you need to know to make your event a success! More Information>>
  
• Fundraise OnlineGenerate
  awareness for the NO on 8 campaign and help raise money at the same time. Our online tool makes asking your friends easy. Or host a “Get Engaged” fundraising event. More Information>>
  
• EQCA Wedding RegistryGet the gift money can’t buy: marriage for a lifetime. Register your wedding or make a gift in the name of a couple you know. More Information>>
  
• Pledge to Vote NOSame-gender couples should not be excluded from fulfilling their hopes and dreams by getting married. Take the pledge to vote NO on 8!>>
  
• Register to Vote
  
      Vote in this and every election in California. More information>>

Who Does She Think She Is?

Just heard about a new film called Who Does She Think She Is? Created by Pamela Tanner Boll, the film tells the story of five artists who are also women and mothers, and how they try to honor their creative process as much as taking care of their families. All artist mothers are up against enormous pressure in our culture and society. There is a paradigm in our society that if you are making art and taking time to honor your own creativity, then someone else is losing something. Women are trained to give of themselves first, and then think of their own needs when everyone else is taken care of.

I haven't seen the film yet, but I have read reviews of it and watched the extra-long trailer and it has already brought tears to my eyes. I'm especially struck by the quote: "I feel like I'm lost in the woods and I'm all alone, with no companions, and I hear wolves." That is often how I feel as an artist, and I'm not even a mother! I am in AWE of women who manage to take care of their families and get into the studio. It's really incredible. I rarely allow myself the time to create as it is - how will I do it as a mother?

I think this movie is a must-see for all creative people, female and male alike!