As Donald Trump continues his assault on democracy, another battle is raging: MAGA’s war on science and public health.  Just today, Trump laid off a significant number of staff at the National Institutes of Health Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD).

As you may know, I have been diagnosed with frontal-temporal dementia (FTD), one of the diseases researched at CARD. FTD is a terminal diagnosis, but researchers have been on the cusp of treatments. In short, Trump’s decision to terminate dementia researchers will shorten the lives and harm the well-being of everyone facing a dementia diagnosis.

As I understand it, FTD is different from typical Alzheimer’s, where the primary concern is memory loss. The UCSF Memory and Aging Center, where I was initially diagnosed, notes that FTD is a: “progressive degeneration of the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain play a significant role in decision-making, behavioral control, emotion and language.”

Typically, after symptoms arise, the life expectancy for those with FTD is 7-13 years. As for me, I’ve been told that because the progression of the disease has thankfully been slow, my life expectancy is in the neighborhood of 15-20 years. It's also possible the progression will increase. Only medical research will ultimately allow the possibility of a normal lifespan. Honestly, I’ve been counting on that.

It's been a few years since I stopped working. I’m no longer allowed to drive, and I experience hallucinations and night terrors. My decision-making is impaired. With my doctors at Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU), my family and I have worked to build guard rails. Over time, all this will worsen.

What will happen with Trump’s cuts to CARD? Here’s a shocking prediction from the National Institute of Health: “Researchers estimated that 42% of Americans over age 55 will eventually develop dementia.”

Trump’s act to cut dementia research will mean more deaths, quicker deaths, and a diminished quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

Dementia is not a partisan issue: it impacts Democrats and Republicans alike. In the past, dementia research has had broad bipartisan support.

People of faith need to tell Congress that we reject cuts to medical research. Jesus spent his life healing the sick. We can do the same with all the tremendous gifts God gives us. Call the Congressional switchboard at the 202-224-3121. Ask to speak to your House and Senate members. Tell them to reject Donald Trump’s immoral cuts to dementia research.

DON'T HAVE TIME FOR CHURCH? HERE'S YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA-SIZED SERMON FOR SUNDAY:

But woe to you who are rich,

    for you have received your consolation.

Woe to you who are full now,

    for you will be hungry.

Woe to you who are laughing now,

    for you will mourn and weep.

- Luke 6:24-26 (NRSV)

As the billionaires and millionaires that makeup Donald Trump’s administration work to eliminate programs that help alleviate poverty as they seek to cut taxes on the richest of the rich, the consequences will be harsh for those living on the edge. Children will bear the brunt. Scripture, reminds us, however, that the kingdom of God is not for the rich and powerful, but for those Jesus called the least of these. In this moment of history, God calls us to do everything in our power to nonviolently resist Donald Trump’s war on people living in poverty.

Peace be with you.

Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025

DON'T HAVE TIME FOR CHURCH? HERE'S YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA-SIZED SERMON FOR SUNDAY:

No nation should be known as “great” for the size of its military. Foreign aid is a better measurement. However, the United States spends less than 1% of our federal budget on such aid.

Inexplicably, Donald Trump has frozen all foreign aid- cutting off critical HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, food assistance, pandemic prevention, and rebuilding efforts after disasters.

Elon Musk has called the US Agency for International Development (USAID) a “criminal organization.” In fact, USAID represents the best of the United States.

A wealthy nation that abandons God’s people abandons God.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk are making the United States  - and the world - less safe, less secure, and less free from fear and want. None of this is what a great nation would do.   

Peace be with you.

DON’T HAVE TIME FOR CHURCH? HERE’S YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA-SIZED SERMON FOR SUNDAY:

Jesus didn’t say love your neighbor unless they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

Jesus said to love your neighbor as you love God.

Today, Donald Trump is joining anti-abortion activists to celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade, ending abortion rights in many states.

The pro-choice position is consistent with Christian ethics. As the United Church of Christ has long maintained, Jesus affirmed the moral agency of women. Those of us who are Christian should follow that example. That means, like Jesus, we trust women to make their own decisions.

The Bible, however, offers no clear guidance on abortion as we understand it today. So while many opponents of abortion point to vague passages to justify their stance, they are just bending the text to fit their concerns.

As an example, pro-life activists often quote Psalm 139 ("For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb." v.13 NRSV) as evidence that God would oppose abortion. However, this text, in which the author reflects on humanity's relationship with God, has nothing to do with abortion.

In considering abortion, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ has repeatedly noted that reverence for human life is what the Bible advocates. Such reverence must extend to the life and well-being of pregnant women and the life of a child after birth.

Returning the United States to the pre-Roe v Wade days did not end abortion. It would merely returned abortions to the back alleys, where women risk their health and even their lives. How is that be pro-life?

Abortion rates dropped dramatically during the Obama administration, as access to family planning, sex education in schools and contraception expanded. If you want to reduce abortion rates, support family planning. Many pro-life politicians and religious leaders do not support family planning or sex education in public schools. In essence, pro-life leaders help create the "crisis" they claim to despise.

We should also do everything possible to expand support for mothers, families and children. No one should be feel forced to have an abortion out of financial concern. That is no real choice at all.

Efforts to expand adoption services should also be a priority, not because a woman should ever be forced to carry a fetus to term, but because adoption is a choice for many, and it remains underfunded.

Yet, again, too many pro-life politicians and religious leaders oppose child care tax credits and food assistance to support newborn babies and their families. The efforts to ban abortion — by mostly male politicians — are a political effort. Some involved have a genuine concern for babies' lives, but for many, that concern ends once the baby is born.

For these men, it is about having control over women. For Jesus, it was about trusting women.

Jesus tells us to put concerns for the least of these — children, those living in poverty — ahead of other matters. But, unfortunately, I am convinced that the primary concern is control over women for many pro-life politicians and religious leaders, not a reverence for life.

Congress must codify abortion rights to protect women and families.

Donald Trump is demanding Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde apologize for (checks notes) preaching the Gospel.

Here’s what happened: Trump found himself in a church where the clergy had pledged to serve God, not Trump.

What we heard yesterday was the Gospel of Jesus preached: compassion, mercy, & justice. You don't hear that message in the white conservative evangelical churches Trump uses as photo ops.

No apologies, Mr. Trump. Christian clergy should never bend the knee or kiss the ring.

Just imagine you are an ICE agent or another federal or local law enforcement agent ordered by Donald Trump to raid churches and other houses of worship looking for immigrants receiving shelter and sanctuary. God’s immigration policy is justice and welcome, not xenophobia, hate, and bigotry. What will you tell God you are asked if you followed God’s call to welcome immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers?

Ah, sinful nation,
    a people laden with iniquity,
offspring of evildoers,
    sons who deal corruptly!
They have forsaken the Lord,
    they have despised the Holy One of Israel,
    they are utterly estranged…

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
    remove the evil of your doings
    from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,

    learn to do good;
seek justice,
    correct oppression;
defend the fatherless,
    plead for the widow.

- Isaiah 1: 4, 16-7 (NRSV)

In this moment of history, God is calling us to seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8). Following Jesus has always been an act of Holy Resistance, now so as much as ever. Don’t be afraid. Be bold in pursuit of a more just world for all. We are all needed. Everyone.

In Oregon, democracy matters. We have long worked to expand voting rights, becoming the first state to offer vote-by-mail. The anarchists that broke out windows and doors at the Multnomah County Election Division are not concerned with democracy. We cannot allow these anti-democratic activists any quarter. You cannot build up the Beloved Community with mostly white Portland anarchists assaulting our city in the name of “justice.”

I start with the assumption that these anarchists have deep concerns about how Portland and the rest of the United States function. I have concerns myself. But anarchy is the opposite of justice. I hope the new Portland mayor and City Council can find ways to engage this community. Their concerns are an opening for dialogue and even partnership.

That said, if the anarchist community, which in 2020 broke out windows from immigrant-owned businesses in Portland, continues to embrace violence (including setting fires at the residence of the former mayor and other public spaces), there need to be legal consequences. Anarchy must be opposed and democracy strengthened. We cannot allow anarchy to govern Portland.