The Sustainist

Rights and Responsibilities

In this presidential election year, the topics of debates among the candidates always include the Bills of Rights especially the 2^nd Amendment. These Amendments are often thrown around as ways to gain political points. If this candidate wins, there goes that amendment!  If you vote for me, I will make sure this amendment is kept!  Just what do these amendments to the constitution actually say? Four years ago, I wrote a piece on this topic and invited readers to form study groups to listen and reflection on these amendments. I am re-blogging it here. I believe this might help the people of the United States to make an informed choice when they cast their votes in November.

“For whom was the Bill of Rights written?” I often asked participants in my workshops.

“Everyone,” was often the first answer.  Occasionally, I would hear answers like, “Rich men in those days.” The assumption behind this answer was that these rights were not given to those who are powerless especially women and the poor. 

“However,” I continued, “the people who proposed the Bill of Rights were already powerful men. Why do they need to make sure that the Constitution is amended to have these rights stated explicitly?”  Many participants from the workshop were still puzzled.  “Since they were powerful men, they already had the rights to worship in any religious establishment that they chose, they could say and print anything they wanted, and they could assemble and petition the government for redresses anytime they wanted. They could have as many guns as they wanted and they can protect their homes from unreasonable search and seizures.  So, why do they need to put these rights in the constitution?  So for whom was the Bill of Rights written?”

The Bills of Rights were specifically written to protect the powerless in society.  The thing I admired most about members of the first Congress of the United States of America was that they, having achieved a great level of power, took the responsibilities to make sure that others, especially those powerless in society, also have the same rights. 

During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, many repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government just like many countries in the world. Fresh in their memory was the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered.

On September 25, 1789, the First Congress proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. The first two proposed amendments were not ratified. Articles 3 to 12, however, ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.

At the foundation of the Bill of Rights is the responsibility to uphold them for others.  While I have the right to say, and publish anything I want, I do not have the right to impose my ideas on others.  If what I say and publish caused harm to others or infringed on other’s rights, I have to face the consequences.  For example, I have the right to own a gun, but when I use my gun to shoot and kill someone, I will be investigated and may go to trial.  Furthermore, when I am powerful and influential, I need to take the responsibilities to uphold other’s rights! 

People who believe they have rights but do not take the responsibility to make sure others have the same rights are bullies. Rights and responsibilities are keys to creating a sustainable and socially healthy community. 

Amendment I.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III.

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Dialogue Process:

1. Inform participants that the first 4 Amendments of the United States Constitution will be read three times. After each reading, participants will be invited to share their reflections using the Mutual Invitation process. (See 8/13/2012 post for description of Mutual Invitation.) 
2. Invite participants to capture a word, a phrase or image that stood out for them from the document while the text is read out loud the first time.
3. Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or her word, phrase or image briefly.
4. Invite participants to consider the following 2 questions as the text is read a second time:

• What fears were driving members of the first Congress of the United States to write and ratify these first four Amendments?
• What are your fears living in the United States today and how do these first four Amendments address them?

5. Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or her reflection the 2 questions.
6. Invite participants to consider the following question while listening to the document again: As a result of listening to this document, how would you evaluate the candidates running for offices in the United States?

7. Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or her reflection.

Reflection Questions for the Third Sunday in Lent (Year C) Exodus 3:1-15   What did you learn from this story about your call to ministry? Psalm 63:1-8   What does it mean to meditate on God? 1 Corinthians 10:1-13   How are you being tested and where is your help? Luke 13:1-9   What is a fig tree doing in a vineyard?

Upcoming Opportunities to Study with The Sustainist and learn more about Holy Conferencing: March 7-11, 2016 Luther Seminary, Minnesota Gracious Leadership May 4-7, 2016 Greenfield, NH Holy Currencies: Stewardship 365 July 18-22, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Associates Conference (by Invitation only) www.kscopeinstitute.org

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

We the People

The election season of the United States is in full swing with the results of primaries at Iowa and New Hampshire.  Through out the last two weeks, we, the people, were bombarded with sound bits of who is insulting whom, who is the establishment candidate, who is the outsider, who is angry at the government, … etc.  Here is the real question for me:  what are the criteria we need to use to measure where someone is fit to be the president of the United States?

Last week I invited my readers in the United States to refocus their communities on why they go to the poll every 4 years by studying important documents that formed the United States starting with the Declaration of Independence.  This week, I will continue the series and focus on the Preamble of the Constitution, which was adopted by a Convention of the States on September 17, 1787, with ratification completed by all thirteen states on June 21, 1788. (They didn’t have e-mail or video-conferencing then.)

The Preamble consists of well-thought-out action verbs and themes: form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty. If you listen to these themes carefully, you will see how they work together and support each other to create a well-balanced approach to the governance of the nearly formed country. Of course they continue to be relevant to the people of the United States today. 

These are the criteria I would use to measure the qualification of any candidate running for offices in the United States.  Can this person’s leadership maintain a more perfect Union?  Does this person have a track record for insuring domestic tranquility?  Will this person continue to uphold justice for all?  Does this person have person the knowledge and skills to provide strong defense?  Does this person have the passion to promote the common welfare of the people?  Will this person make sure that our freedom and liberty are secured for future generations?

Constitution of the United States

Adopted by convention of States, September 17, 1787; Ratification completed, June 21, 1788

PREAMBLE

We the People of the United States, in Order to
form a more perfect Union,
establish Justice,
insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common Defense,
promote the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Dialogue Process:

1. Inform participants that the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States will be read three times. After each reading, participants will be invited to share their reflections using the Mutual Invitation process. (See last week’s post for description.) 
2. Invite participants to capture a word, a phrase or image that stands out for them from the document while the text is read out loud the first time.
3. Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or her word, phrase or image briefly.
4. Review the main themes of the Preamble. You might want to write them on a flip-chart or project them on a screen:

Main Themes in the Preamble: 

• Form a more perfect Union
• Establish Justice
• Insure domestic Tranquility
• Provide common Defense
• Promote general Welfare
• Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity

5. Invite someone to read the document a second time.
6. Invite participants to take the time to:

• Select one main theme and share how they have experienced it in the United States
• Select one main theme and share how they have not experienced it in the United States

7. Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or her reflection.
8. Invite participants to consider the following question while listening to the document again: As a result of listening to this document, how would you evaluate the qualifications of the candidates running for offices in the United States?
9. Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or her reflection

Reflection Questions for the Second Sunday in Lent (Year C) Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18   What did you learn from this story about covenant with God? Psalm 27   What does it mean to dwell in the house of God? Philippians 3:17-4:1   What does it mean to have your citizenship in heaven? Luke 13:31-35   What does it mean to be the one who comes in the name of the Lord?

Upcoming Opportunities to Study with The Sustainist and learn more about Holy Conferencing: March 7-11, 2016 Luther Seminary, Minnesota Gracious Leadership May 4-7, 2016 Greenfield, NH Holy Currencies: Stewardship 365 July 18-22, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Associates Conference (by Invitation only) www.kscopeinstitute.org

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

Cookies and Healing

Guest Blogger:  The Rev. Sandy Tice, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, San Bernardino

We have three [Life Skillz Circle] groups we lead at the [San Bernardino] high school across the street, a way of supporting students and teachers, because we long to increase graduation rates in our city. (The folks at Kaleidoscope Institute helped us form these 2 years ago)

The Wednesday group, all Freshmen, got into a discussion about the shooting on 12/2, the victims, and the money that had been donated to help with healing. A member of First Pres is chairing the committee that will determine how the 2.5 million dollars is distributed. We talked about this some, whether money was helpful in situations like this.  

The kids had varied perspectives but the consensus was that in tragedy money CAN  be useful (if you don't have insurance and have medical bills, or if you have funeral expenses, or if you just need to get away from the sadness for a while) but they also agreed that "Money can't fix a broken heart". 

We asked what DOES help when you have a broken heart, and they decided kindness, and comfort, and showing that you care. 

Which led to the idea of a baking project. One of the people killed in December was Daniel, who was the coffee guy at the Inland Regional Center- so his death touches the lives of many of the 600 people who work there. 

So the plan was hatched: the kids wanted to spend one of our afternoons baking as many cookies as we could to deliver to the employees at the IRC. These people will receive no money, but their hearts and spirits have been harmed by the fear and horror of the attack. We wanted to send comfort to their broken hearts. 

Yesterday (Ash Wednesday!) 12 kids gathered in our church kitchen, and knocked out 3 double batches of Toll House, about 200 very large cookies. And in 15 minutes I will be delivering them to the Regional Center, with their love. 

If you look at the attached photos, you will see how pleased they are with themselves.  

We share compassion and offer love in the ways we know and understand, and trust that God will use it for good.  For these kids, comfort=cookies, so this is what we did. 

A cookie is not the gospel. 

But then again, for a 14 year old, it is a concrete expression of love. A visible sign of an invisible reality. Maybe it is not so far from the Gospel. :) 

Please continue to hold us in your prayers- we are grateful for your support and assistance, and for God's surprising and amazing grace. 

Warmly,

Sandy Tice

Reflection Questions for the First Sunday in Lent (Year C) Deuteronomy 26:1-11   What did you learn from this passage about giving thanks? Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16   What does it mean for you to trust God? Romans 10:8-b-13   How can the word of faith be on your lips and in your heart? Luke 4:1-13   What does it mean for you to be driven by the Spirit into the wilderness?

Upcoming Opportunities to Study with The Sustainist and learn more about Holy Conferencing: March 7-11, 2016 Luther Seminary, Minnesota Gracious Leadership May 4-7, 2016 Greenfield, NH Holy Currencies: Stewardship 365 July 18-22, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Associates Conference (by Invitation only) www.kscopeinstitute.org

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

Wisdom from the Source

It’s election year in the U.S.A.  All U.S. eyes were on Iowa and New Hampshire, which kicked off the primaries for both the Republican and Democratic Parties. In the middle of all this, no one is asking why the people of the United States go to the poll every four years in November. 

I thought it would be appropriate to re-blog the series of posts from 2012, which provide some tools for dialogue around what it means to be a citizen of the United States of America between now and November.  Hopefully this series of dialogue process can provide some wisdom from the source material that form the nation in the middle of this money-driven, polarizing election campaign.

Through the Kaleidoscope Institute, I have developed a method for studying important text, specifically the Holy Scriptures.  The process involves reading the same text 3 times out loud.  After each reading, each person in the group is invited to share his/her response to a question using a process called Mutual Invitation. A similar method can be used to study important and beloved text that formed and shaped the United States, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The text we suggest for the first session is the Introduction and part of the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence. 

Declaration of Independence

Introduction

In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When, in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the Causes which impel them to the Separation.

Preamble

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed,

that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. 

Dialogue Process:

1. Inform participants that parts of the Declaration of Independence will be read 3 times. After each reading, participants will be invited to share their reflections using the Mutual Invitation. If participants have not been introduced to the Mutual Invitation process, describe it clearly. 
2. Invite participants to capture a word, a phrase or image that stood out for them from the document while the text is read out loud the first time.
3. Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or her word, phrase or image briefly.
4. Invite participants to consider the following question as the text is being read for the second time:

What does this document say to you about what it means to be independent? 

• as an individual?
• as a nation?

5. Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or his reflection.
6. Invite participants to consider the following question while listening to the text being read the third time.

As a result of listening to this document, what are you being called to do or change as a citizen of the United States today?

7. Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or her reflection.

Upcoming Opportunities to Study with The Sustainist and learn more about Holy Conferencing: March 7-11, 2016 Luther Seminary, Minnesota Gracious Leadership May 4-7, 2016 Greenfield, NH Holy Currencies: Stewardship 365 July 18-22, 2016 Los Angeles, CA Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Associates Conference (by Invitation only) www.kscopeinstitute.org

Reflection Questions for the Last Sunday after Epiphany (Year C) Exodus 34:29-35   What did you learn from this story about being a messenger of God? Psalm 99   What does it mean for you to confess God’s name? 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2   What does it mean to see God with unveiled faces? Luke 9:28-43   How do you listen to Jesus?

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