The Sustainist

Endless Leftovers

On a city sidewalk of the Basque town of Galdakao, Spain, there sits a refrigerator surrounded by a tidy little fence so that it is not mistaken for an abandoned appliance.  If you have some food, you can leave it inside this communal refrigerator, if you need some food, help yourself.  Instead of throwing leftover food away in the garbage bin, local residents and restaurants can leave them in the “solidarity fridge” to be shared.

"The idea for a Solidarity Fridge started with the economic crisis — these images of people searching dumpsters for food — the indignity of it. That's what got me thinking about how much food we waste," Alvaro Saiz said during an NPR interview. Intrigued by the nonprofit website, https://foodsharing.de in Germany, which connects people who have free food to share with people seeking those items, Saiz wanted a low-tech way in his hometown to do this so that the food is accessible to those who don’t use the Internet. 

So he went to the mayor with this idea of a Solidarity Fridge.  The mayor thought the idea was “both crazy and brilliant,” and immediately approved a budget of 5,000 Euros to pay for the fridge, an initial health safety study, electricity and upkeep. The city also granted this fridge a special independent legal status, so that the city can't be sued if someone gets sick.

Here are the rules for leaving food in the fridge: no raw fish, meat or eggs, packaged or canned goods cannot be past their use-by date and anything prepared at home must include a label detailing when it was made.  Volunteers keep an eye on the fridge to throw out any outdated food. But so far all food has been taken on a daily basis.

I love simple ideas that work and this is one of them.  Imagine every church and community center uses its currency of time and place to maintain a Solidarity Fridge.  Imagine the possibilities of new relationships and the cultivation of wellness surrounding this communal food source. Granted there are legal and health concerns to be worked out such as getting the right legal documents to ensure organizers wouldn’t be held liable should anything go wrong with food taken from the fridge; it took a month for Saiz and the city officials to wade through all the legal paperwork needed to launch this project.  But I think it is worth exploring. I believe with a concerted effort, we can make this work in every town and city.

Leftovers are signs of our abundance.  If we throw them away, we cut short the potential flow of this abundance.  When we re-circulate and share them, we continue the flow of blessings -- providing endless leftovers to sustain our communities.

Read more about the Solidarity Fridge: The Guardian and NPR.

Upcoming Opportunities to Study with The Sustainist and learn more about Holy Conferencing: November 1-5, 2015 Memphis, TN Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training January 18-22, 2016 Chicago, IL Gracious Leadership Training Community Transformation (Part of the D. Min. Program of Bexley-Seabury Theological Seminary) February 29-March 4, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training April 7-12, 2016 San Francisco, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies Incubation of New Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training A Bilingual (English-Spanish) Event July 18-22, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training www.kscopeinstitute.org

Reflection Questions for Proper 17(Year B) Song of Solomon 2:8-13    What did you learn from this text about love and divine? Psalm 45:1-2, 7-10    What does this psalm teach you about good leadership? James 1:17-27   What does it mean to be a doer of the word? Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23   What does Jesus teach you about traditions and rules?

Eric H. F. Law
Kaleidoscope Institute
For competent leadership in a diverse changing world
www.kscopeinstitute.org

Pass the Torch

Fifty years ago on August 20, 1965, Jonathan Daniels, a twenty-six year old seminarian from the Episcopal Theological Seminary (now Episcopal Divinity School), and his fellow civil right workers were released after 6 days in jail for picketing white-only stores in Hayneville, Alabama.  Daniels with three friends—a white Catholic priest and two black female activists—walked to a store to buy a cold drink, only to be stopped by a special deputy named Tom L. Coleman holding a shotgun.  As Coleman leveled his gun at seventeen-year-old Ruby Sales, Daniels pushed her aside and caught the full blast of the shotgun. He was instantly killed. Father Richard F. Morrisroe grabbed Joyce Bailey and ran. Coleman shot Morrisroe in the back, severely wounding him.  Coleman was put on trial for manslaughter.  He claimed self-defense and was acquitted by an all-white jury.

In 1991, the Episcopal Church designated Jonathan Myrick Daniels as a martyr, and August 14 was designated as a day of remembrance for the sacrifice of Daniels and all the martyrs of the civil rights movement.  The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama and the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast sponsor a yearly pilgrimage in Hayneville on August 14, to commemorate Daniels and all other martyrs of the civil rights movement.

This year, over 1500 people joined in the pilgrimage to walk the path that Daniels, Sales, Bailey and Morrisroe took. At one of the worship services, Presiding Bishop-elect of the Episcopal Church preached to a crowd with many young pilgrims, “We must raise up a new generation and pass the torch to that generation so that the march will continue, so that the movement will go on, so that we will not stop, we will not cease, we will not desist until justice rolls down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing brook.  That’s the movement we’re all a part of. It’s a movement that believes passionately that love can actually change the world.”

“It can,” the congregation replied.

Bishop Curry then reminded the pilgrims that, according to Teilhard de Chardin, the discovery of fire and humans’ capacity to harness that energy was the most important scientific discovery of all time, and that if human beings ever discovered how to harness the power of love, it would be the second time in history that humanity had discovered fire.

“We are here because Jonathan Daniels discovered fire,” Curry declared with a shout. “Martin Luther King discovered fire. So now we’re going to pass that torch to a new generation.”

Upcoming Opportunities to Study with The Sustainist and learn more about Holy Conferencing: November 1-5, 2015 Memphis, TN Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training January 18-22, 2016 Chicago, IL Gracious Leadership Training Community Transformation (Part of the D. Min. Program of Bexley-Seabury Theological Seminary) February 29-March 4, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training April 7-12, 2016 San Francisco, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies Incubation of New Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training A Bilingual (English-Spanish) Event July 18-22, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training www.kscopeinstitute.org

RReflection Questions for Proper 16 (Year B) 1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43    What did you learn from this passage about the dwelling place of God? Psalm 84:1-6    What does it mean to dwell in the house of God? Ephesians 6:10-20   What does this passage teach you about being strong in the Lord? John 6:56-69   What does it mean to eat Jesus’s bread and live forever?

Eric H. F. Law
Kaleidoscope Institute
For competent leadership in a diverse changing world
www.kscopeinstitute.org

Relationship, Truth and Wellness

Earlier this year, I was in St. Louis giving a Holy Currencies workshop for the Midland Division Officers’ Councils of the Salvation Army.  When the subject of Ferguson came up, I took the opportunity to do a Holy Currency analysis of the situation.  I said, “Obviously, what has been happening in Ferguson is an indication that the community is not well. If we are to address this using the Cycle of Blessings, what do we need to do in order to foster wellness in Ferguson?” 

The Salvation Army officers who were no strangers to addressing community issue on ground level readily responded by saying, “We need to have the currency of truth.” 

“We need to understand the issue from the perspective of the African American community with all of its history in that area.” Another officer added,  “And we need to understand this issue from the law enforcement’s perspective as well.  Right now, there are little opportunities for the truth to be spoken and heard since everything is so polarized.”

“What do we need to do then in order to increase our currency of truth?” I continued the challenge.

“Rebuild trusting relationships among the police and the people in the community.” 

“What resources do you have to make this happen?” I asked.

The Midland Division has a beautiful camp and conference center in the St. Louis area. They have been planning a camp program inviting police officers and community youth and young adults to spend a week together in a neutral setting to build trusting relationships, speak truth to each other and cultivate wellness. 

Finally I asked, “What currency do we need to ensure that when they are together in one place, that they would speak respectfully and achieve mutual understanding in constructive ways?”

And they answered, “Gracious leadership.”  Having trained gracious leaders to facilitate constructive dialogue would be essential for the success of this movement.

Truth events like the one being planned by the Salvation Army of the Midland Division are what we need to do on a regular basis in order to prepare ourselves, our neighborhood, our town, and our city. This kind of constructive dialogues among leaders in our communities, police departments, and justice system will help communities arrive at concrete actions that can move people away from destructive polarizing behaviors to constructive actions that foster wellness.  If we want change, we must prepare ourselves to keep alert and act differently next time, or we are bound to repeat the same destructive pattern. 

Upcoming Opportunities to Study with The Sustainist and learn more about Holy Conferencing: November 1-5, 2015 Memphis, TN Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training January 18-22, 2016 Chicago, IL Gracious Leadership Training Community Transformation (Part of the D. Min. Program of Bexley-Seabury Theological Seminary) February 29-March 4, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training April 7-12, 2016 San Francisco, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies Incubation of New Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training A Bilingual (English-Spanish) Event July 18-22, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training www.kscopeinstitute.org

Reflection Questions for Proper 15 (Year B) 1 Kings 2:10-12;3:3-14    What did you learn from this passage about being a wise leader? Psalm 111    What does “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” mean? Ephesians 5:15-20   How do you know you are filled with the Spirit? John 6:51-58   What did you learn from this passage about building a sustainable ministry?

Eric H. F. Law
Kaleidoscope Institute
For competent leadership in a diverse changing world
www.kscopeinstitute.org

Why Are You Nervous?

Guest Blogger:  The Rev. Bill Cruse

Below is the story of a multiracial family, friends of ours, racially profiled and harassed by the police in North Carolina, as they were driving on vacation. These are friends, dear colleagues with whom I have been privileged to work, offering workshops in multiculturalism, anti-racism, and intercultural competency. White friends: this probably doesn't ever happen to you. But to people of color, it happens all the time. Sure there are good cops out there, but because we let some cops get away with everything from this to murder without any punishment, the system is broken. We need to fix this.

(Peter Schell, the author of this true story, and his wife, Rondesia Jarrett are both Episcopal priests working in the Washington, D.C. area.)

******************************

While driving on the first leg of our road trip to Florida, with my wife, my son and my brother-in-law, I noticed a white dodge charger in my rear view, tailgating me. After a couple minutes, I moved into the left lane to let him pass. He followed me. Then he turned on the flashing lights of the, now revealed undercover car. I pulled to the shoulder.

I've been stopped by police before (always for traffic violations that were my fault.) However, several things immediately seemed unusual about this stop.

One. Two officers emerged from their car, and approached ours from the passenger side, where my brother was sitting. The lead officer knocked at his window, and asked first for his license, not mine.

Two. After checking my license as well, and the registration of our rental car, and after the officer informed me he was only giving me a warning for changing lanes without signaling (he was correct,) he asked me to step out of the car. While his partner stood by our car, he walked me back to their patrol car, and asked me what I had in my pockets (keys, a wallet, and my phone.)

Three. He asked me to take a seat in their car, and closed the door behind me. He took his seat on the driver's side, turned and began to ask me questions:

"How do you know the other people in that car?"

"They're my family: my wife, son, and brother in law."

"Where are you going?"

"To Florida on vacation. We might stop in Augusta, Georgia, to visit my wife's father."

"Where does he live in Augusta?

"Honestly, I couldn't tell you."

"Where did you come from?"

"Washington."

"What time did you leave out?"

"Around eleven, I think."

"Why did it take you so long?"

"There was traffic all the way from Quantico to Norfolk."

"Where did you rent the car?"

"In Maryland."

"From which rental company?"

"I don't know, my brother rented it."

"Are you driving straight through to Florida?"

"No, we're stopping in Fayetteville for the night."

"Why?"

"My son is two. He needs a break."

"Is your license valid?"

"Yes."

"If I checked your vehicle, would I find anything illegal?"

"No."

"No marijuana, or cocaine?"

"No."

Four. As I answered, I noticed his partner was leaning in the rear passenger side window, where my son was sitting. His hand was on his belt.

Five. After asking me these questions, he left the car, and went to talk with my family. I checked the door handle, to see if I could open it from the inside and get out, in case... of something. In retrospect, this could have been a mistake. Thankfully nothing happened. It wouldn't open, anyway.

Six. After talking with Ron and Rondesia, he conferred with his partner for several minutes. They gestured vaguely to me, and to our car.

Seven. He came back to the car. He wanted to talk again.

"Well, I'm confused. I talked to your "wife" and her story doesn't match yours."

I could hear the quotation marks in his voice.

"She just said you were going to Florida. She didn't mention her dad, or Georgia."

"We haven't decided if we're stopping on the way down, or the way back."

"She also said she was visiting her cousins in Fayetteville. You said you were just going to stop for the night."

"We are just stopping for the night. She has family there, so we're having dinner with them."

He paused.

"You seem nervous. Why are you nervous?"

"I'm nervous because you separated me from my family. I'm nervous because your partner is hovering over them. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but there have been a lot of high profile incidents of police killing black people in the last few months. And your partner has his hand resting on his belt, near his pistol. So yes, I'm nervous."

That's what I thought. That's what I wanted to say. But the angels of discretion (or perhaps those of cowardice) kept me quiet.

"No, I'm not nervous."

"Hm."

He checked our information on the computer for several minutes in silence. Then he called in the details to double check. Finally, he said I could go, and reminded me to signal when I change lanes.

"Thank you officer."

I walked back to the car, and waited for the police car to pull away. We compared details, analyzed, and then drove in silence until we arrived at the hotel.

We unloaded the car. I held my son. Rondesia and I hugged.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"I was so scared for you."

"I was scared for you."

I don't remember who said which words. But my wife spoke last.

"Well," she said, "welcome to the club."

And then I realized. None of these things were unusual. Not even a little bit.

************************

I'm crying - tears of fear, anger and deep sadness.

Help me envision how we, together, can fix this. As one of the quotes in my email signature says, "If you are neutral in a situation of injustice, you have chosen to side with the oppressor." -Aung San Suu Kyi

I don't want to be silent. It's not what Jesus would do. How can the voice crying out against injustice be most effective? Borrowing from the early AIDS awareness campaign, "Silence = Death."

What do we do? It's not getting better, and rather worse, as we approach the 1 year anniversary of Michael Brown's death.

I'm afraid for my life, and my friend's lives, and for the soul of our nation. Help me not let the fear paralyze me.

Peace,

Bill

The Rev. William Cruse is an Associate of the Kaleidoscope Institute and a qualified administrator of Intercultural Development Inventory.

Upcoming Opportunities to Study with The Sustainist and learn more about Holy Conferencing: November 1-5, 2015 Memphis, TN Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training January 18-22, 2016 Chicago, IL Gracious Leadership Training Community Transformation (Part of the D. Min. Program of Bexley-Seabury Theological Seminary) February 29-March 4, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training April 7-12, 2016 San Francisco, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies Incubation of New Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training A Bilingual (English-Spanish) Event July 18-22, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training www.kscopeinstitute.org

Reflection Questions for Proper 14 (Year B) 1 Kings 19:4-8    What did you learn from this passage about being sustained on our journey? Psalm 34:1-8    What does it mean for you to trust in God? Ephesians 4:25-5:2   What will help you be angry but not sin? John 6:35, 41-51   What is the bread of life?

Eric H. F. Law
Kaleidoscope Institute
For competent leadership in a diverse changing world
www.kscopeinstitute.org