Kevin strikes again.
A group of us gathered today to talk to him – to learn from him about his work with indigenous peoples in the UN community. Before he began, someone mentioned something about his lecture.
He calmly replied:
It won’t be a lecture; it will be more of a meander.
See you along the Trail.
I had the privilege to spend the last two weeks with a January Term Doctor of Ministry class that met at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations – my employer. Mark Douglas of Columbia Theological Seminary led the class as it considered the Environment and Ecumene.
Class participants included Elizabeth Adams, Katie Preston, Carol Underwood, and John Weems. My colleague, Ryan Smith, helped coordinate and lead the class. Ricky Velez-Negron, our office manager, provided wonderful hospitality and organizational support; she also took the picture of the class beside the Isaiah Wall. Volunteers Peng Leong, from First Chinese Presbyterian Church, and Grace Bickers, Columbia University student, joined us for a number of the sessions.
Speakers came from ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), UN programs and our colleagues and friends from the UN NGO community.
The content included the UN and environmental concerns to climate change, land and water, women and the environment, children and the environment, indigenous peoples and the environment, food and hunger and the environment, conflict and the environment, and more.
The class attended a policy lunch on climate change and agriculture sponsored by the NGO Working Group on Food and Hunger. The class also attended a meeting of the Sustainable Development Working Group of the Conference of NGOs.
On Thursday, January 12, class members led worship at the Church Center for the United Nations.
Representatives of First Chinese Presbyterian Church, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Huguenot Memorial Church, Old Bergen Church, and the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain joined the class on Thursday, January 19 for conversations about how congregations can care for creation. Rebecca Barnes-Davies, PC(USA) associate for Environmental Ministries helped facilitate the discussion.
Worship ended the class. We gathered in the Tillman Chapel of the Church Center for the United Nations and walked to the Isaiah Wall for closing prayers. After quick goodbyes, class members returned to their homes with new visions for ministry.
Gifts to the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations make possible the class.
I look forward to 2014 when another group will gather for another class on another topic.
See you along the Trail.
The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program has created a daily Advent devotion – Proclaiming the Good News of God’s Peace. I had the privilege of writing the devotion for today. You can order the booklet or read each day’s devotion.
Tuesday, November 29
Matthew 21:12-17
We think of Advent as a time to prepare to celebrate again the birth of Jesus. In today’s reading, we find not a baby but a grown-up Jesus. Jesus entered the temple and saw people selling animals to the pilgrims for their obligatory sacrifices. They exchanged Roman currency into Jewish money so the temple tax could be paid in appropriate coinage. Jesus disrupted the scene, overturning tables and chairs.
This striking story seems more appropriate at the end of Jesus’ life than at its beginning. But here it is. We wonder: Did Jesus object to all commercial activity in the temple? Or just to the exploitation of the people by those who controlled the means of ritual purity and access to God? In either case, in both cases, his actions invite the people to change, to begin again.
Its placement here, in Advent, invites us to begin again as well. Begin again in our hearts, in our relationships with God, in our relationships with those we love and in our relationships with those we do not know. Begin again to live lives walking humbly with God, seeking peace, doing justice, and loving one another. Begin again with confidence because we know who was present at the beginning . . . who awaits us at the end . . . and who holds us in the meantime.
PRAYER
God of the ages, may this Advent season be a time of renewal and new beginnings in our lives of faithful discipleship following Jesus, whose birth we celebrate. In his name we pray. Amen.
Rev. W. Mark Koenig, director, Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, New York, New York
See you along the Trail.
I have always liked books. English major. Children’s books have held a special appeal to me. Books written for children can be amazing: in words and images they may carry profound truth. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program makes good use of children’s books. Intergenerational conferences often included a time of bed-time stories in which staff read books of peace and justice.
Why this focus on children’s books?
On Friday, September 2, I visited Huguenot Memorial Church (Presbyterian) in Pelham, New York. We were planning a seminar for the church at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations.We might not be able to come to you, but we would love to help plan a seminar for your congregation or other group. Contact us.
My visit involved a tour and conversations with Rev. Jacob Bolton, Rev. Stephen Michie, Mr. Floyd Tolliver, and Ms. Teisha Hickman, all of whom told me about the church and its ministry. I learned of children’s programming, mission trips, ministries to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, efforts to address hunger, support for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, participation in Habitat for Humanity and more. I saw the chapel, the stained glass in the sanctuary, the chapel that can be used in a variety of ways, the columbarium, an incredible triptych proclaiming the birth of Jesus, and the the gymnasium where cabarets, gymnastics, and basketball take place (not necessarily at the same time). All testaments to faithful disciples of Jesus.
Things really clicked when we entered the library. I checked the shelves and suddenly the corner that houses the children’s library caught my eye. Bright colors. New books. Diverse titles. Some I knew; some I recognized; some new to me; some in the pictures; some on a list of books for families living in a multifaith world.
I have already started to look for some of the books in the pictures. I invite you to do the same.
See you along the Trail.
West-Park Presbyterian Church (86th and Amsterdam) celebrated its 100th birthday today – on Pentecost.
A group from Medina Presbyterian Church in Ohio is visiting New York this week. They have a number of activities scheduled, including a visit to the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, work at Jan Hus Presbyterian Church, Covenant House, and Old Bergen Church.
They requested suggestions for places to worship today – I provided several from the amazing diversity that is the Presbytery of New York City – among them West-Park.
I arrived at West-Park around 10:30. I was talking with Andre Solomon-Glover (he’s doing a concert next Sunday – do you have your tickets yet?) when a group came in.
“Excuse me,” I said to Andre.
Walking up the aisle, I said, “I’ll bet you folks are from Cleveland. Well, actually I bet you folks are from Medina.”
Smiles and laughter followed as did a wonderful worship service – celebrating the congregation – celebrating Pentecost – celebrating the different gifts that God gives to each of us – a diversity that may challenge us at times, but certainly blesses us and enriches us.
Pastor Bob Brashear reminded the congregation of its rich history – all the people who had been through the building, whose spirits remain present nurturing the congregation into the future. He reminded us of the congregation’s multi-faceted witness to social justice in the name of Jesus in the past – a witness that continues in the present – a witness that will continue into the future.
The lectionary reading from Numbers told of Eldad and Medad. Bob told us that this story teaches that all of us – with all of our gifts – are needed for ministry. We cannot engage in ministry alone – we need each other. It brought to mind a poem (of sorts) from almost ten years ago – not my best, but not my worst.
We gathered around the communion table in a circle with the reminder that circles are eternal – and that those people with whom we go into a circle remain with us always – so now, in that mystery we know as the Communion of Saints, we who gathered for worship today, from New York and Medina and points between and beyond, are a part of the West-Park Presbyterian family and story – and West-Park is forever a part of us.
Thanks be to God!
See you along the Trail.
I think I have come up with a better answer.
The Shire on the Hudson was used for many years by interns serving the Presbyterian Church at the United Nations.
Neighbors apparently got used to this. They give very quizzical looks when they realize that I live there. And after a moment or two of thought, they usually come up with a profound observation along the lines of, “You aren’t an intern, are you?”
So far I have let people off the hook gently. I quote Nancy Reagan and then explain that I am not an intern and that we have reconfigured the ministry and its staffing pattern.
This happened again today and it makes me think that the time has come to make a change. After significantly less careful pondering that it deserves, I have come up with an alternative response.
“You aren’t an intern, are you?”
“Why yes. Yes I am. And think how old that must make you.”
I’ll let you know what happens if I try it.
See you along the Trail.
All orange.
That was the color of the cards.
Clapping followed.
The Executive Committee of the World Communion of Reformed Churches is meeting in Geneva. They started on May 5.
In their discussion, they use a consensus model that involves showing cards to indicate support for or dissent from a matter under consideration.
Orange is good. It represents support. Go for the orange!
The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations also represents the (WCRC) at the UN. Ryan and I wrote a report of our work and I was asked here to present it. After some travel misadventures in New York, I arrived this morning (Geneva time). This afternoon (Geneva time) I fought off jet lag and made the report.
I spoke.
Questions were asked.
In a bold move, I asked a question of my report.
Well, OK, it wasn’t a question of my report. More a question raised by my report.
Then moderator asked if people supported the report.
And a sea of orange cards appeared.
Well maybe more of a small puddle since there are only 40 or so members.
But all the cards were orange!
And then they clapped.
Over the next few days, we will explore together how to deepen and expand this partnership. Tomorrow starts with worship at the Church of Scotland in Geneva. We are staying in the John Knox International Center so that seems fitting.
See you along the trail!
They are scattered across the city, the Permanent Missions of the member states to the United Nations. I am still learning where they are.
Yesterday when my friend David Bowie and I left the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations we heard the chants of a demonstration. As we made our way up 44th Street toward Grand Central, the sound became louder. At the corner of 2nd Avenue, we saw the people – Syrians.
Men and women, old and young, under flying flags they called for justice and peace for their country.
From their courage and faith, hope leached into my heart as we stood and watched for a few moments. I waved and gave the peace sign as we passed by.
This evening David asked why the group had gathered there. Who did they hope to influence? Groups who come to the UN often do so on 1st Avenue – Ralph Bunche Park is a common location. We wondered if maybe they could not get a permit.
And then I looked up the address for the Permanent Mission of Syria. Sure enough – 820 Second Avenue – between 43rd and 44th – right across the street from where the crowd had gathered to make their witness. The people’s witness touched me; may their witness and the witness of their sisters and brothers in Syria touch their country’s leaders. May peace and justice prevail for Syria and for all peoples.
See you along the Trail.
Not sure that makes a lot of sense, but it is the way things are done in Division I (or whatever they call it) football these days. It is actually proving to be a very good game. Different than what was expected, it is a defensive struggle.
Ricky’s present finally arrived, a great relief. Especially since it is such a good cause.
Watched a National Geographic special on Lewis and Clark while getting ready for work this morning.
Tomorrow is an early day as a group from Virginia Tech is coming in. After that it is a sprint to the end of the day.
Now have 4 days at the gym, over 10,000 steps, and eating well in a row.
See you along the Trail.
The clear highlight of the day was the blessing of participating in a prayer service with the people of Sudan. Here is a reflection originally written for Swords into Plowshares, the blog of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations.
Remember.
The interfaith group who gathered today in the Tillman Chapel at the Church Center for the United Nations to pray with the people of Sudan in anticipation of the referendum on self-determination in Southern Sudan did that.
Remember.
Times and places when people made hard decisions and peace prevailed were named.
Remember.
The violence and the pain, the death and the suffering, faced by the Sudanese people through the years, was recalled as was their courage and grace, hope and faith.
Remember.
Participants held pictures of people from Sudan as reminders of those for whom prayers were said – those with whom prayers were said – for the people of Sudan are and have been and will continue praying in the days through the referendum and its implementation and beyond.
Remember.
Re-member. Bring the members back together. The members of the human family. In Sudan. Around the world. All the human being tribe.
Remember.
“You are not forgotten. We remember your names.” The song echoed off the chapel walls and guided the participants from the chapel to the Isaiah Wall in the cold and snow.
Remember.
Large snow flakes and the swirling wind made it impossible to light the candles the participants carried even though they could not extinguish the candles of hope and love and faith that are lit in human minds and hearts and spirits.
Remember.
As the service closed, the participants together recited the ancient words of the prophet Isaiah, “they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
May it be so. For Sudan. For us all.
See you along the Trail
Along the Graybeard Trail 