With thanks to the Rev. Dr. Hyunju Bae who invited me,
with thanks to several friends who advised me,
with thanks to family and friends who are praying and will pray for me,
tomorrow I leave for the Republic of Korea.
See you along the Trail!
Monthly Archives: March 2013
Maryland poised to end the death penalty
The General Assembly of Maryland voted to repeal the state’s death penalty Friday. This would end a 375-year history of capital punishment. Maryland would become the sixth state in as many years, and the 18th state overall, to abolish capital punishment.
The state Senate vote last week in favor of repeal. Gov. Martin O’Malley supported the repeal effort.
Reports are that Governor O’Malley will likely will sign the bill next month after the General Assembly session ends. It would take effect October 1.
At the same time, supporters of the death penalty could petition the matter to the 2014 ballot, leaving the question to Maryland voters to decide. In that event, the law would be put on hold until after the election.
For today, however, a step to celebrate!
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Capital Punishment, Current Events, Death Penalty
A call to reduce gun violence
Yesterday, I attended two meetings about using the film Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence to engage in conversations on ending gun violence.
Today, I signed a petition calling for common-sense measures to reduce gun violence in the U.S. We live in a culture of violence that perpetuates this terrible cycle of gun violence, poverty, and injustice. But our call, as Christians, is to be peacemakers. Join me in challenging our gun culture.
During this Lenten Season, Presbyterians we are joining other faith groups in prayerful engagement and direct action to reduce our culture of violence and to bring peace to our homes, streets, and public venues.
This petition, calling for common-sense federal measures to reduce gun violence, is one small piece of a larger strategy to address the culture of violence that pervades our nation.
The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness will gather signatures for this petition throughout Lent and will deliver the completed petition to Members of Congress in the Easter season.
As I move through Lent discipline, I have made this petition – signing it, circulating it, inviting my friends to sign it – one of your personal commitments.
Email a request for post cards of this petition for gathering signatures at churches and other community events.
See along the Trail.
Filed under Gun Violence, Movie, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Tears remain
Be careful.
Keep safe.
Don’t get into trouble.
If trouble comes looking for you . . .
run!
So they told him –
those who loved him,
who heard his first cries,
who held him at his birth,
those who would protect him
those who loved him,
who heard his first cries,
who held him at his birth,
those who would protect him
from a world in which children
die too soon
die too soon
so often
that no tears remain to shed for them.
that no tears remain to shed for them.
Be careful.
Keep safe.
Don’t get into trouble.
Don’t get into trouble.
If trouble comes looking for you . . .
run!
run!
He heard their words
and learned them well.
When gunshots
When gunshots
tore the silence
of the street where he played,
he ran.
of the street where he played,
he ran.
For cover he ran;
for safety he ran;
for his very life he ran.
for safety he ran;
for his very life he ran.
Following the sidewalk;
cutting through the grass;
leaping up the steps, he ran –
his heart racing
faster than his feet.
leaping up the steps, he ran –
his heart racing
faster than his feet.
Sprinting across the porch;
throwing open the door;
stumbling through the doorstep, he ran –
entering what should have been the safety
of his own home.
stumbling through the doorstep, he ran –
entering what should have been the safety
of his own home.
Filled with fear
and their words, he ran still –
his fingers touched the bannister
as he began to mount the stairs
that led to his room,
the wall beside him exploded –
his fingers touched the bannister
as he began to mount the stairs
that led to his room,
the wall beside him exploded –
a chunk of hot lead
ripping through vinyl siding,
spraying drywall,
violating his body,
tearing life from him.
ripping through vinyl siding,
spraying drywall,
violating his body,
tearing life from him.
Be careful.
Keep safe.
Don’t get into trouble.
If trouble comes looking for you . . .
Don’t get into trouble.
If trouble comes looking for you . . .
run!
So they told him –
those who loved him,
who heard his final gasps,
who held him as his lifeblood pooled around him
those who tried, but could not protect him
from a world in which children
die too soon
so often
yet still tears remain to shed for them.
who heard his final gasps,
who held him as his lifeblood pooled around him
those who tried, but could not protect him
from a world in which children
die too soon
so often
yet still tears remain to shed for them.
15 August 2001
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Poem
Purple flowers, Old Bushmill Distillery
Purple paints the petal edges
of a flower that graces the grounds
of the Old Bushmill Distillery.
County Antrim
Northern Ireland
2 May 2012
Along the Graybeard Trail 