Last fall I challenged the two democratic candidates for United States Senate to offer Oregonians detailed plans about how they would address poverty.  Under President Bush's policies - policies supported by Gordon Smith - poverty has once again increased in America after years of declining poverty rates.

Steve Novick is the only candidate to have accepted that challenge and today he issued a short video talking about his plans:

We need all our politicians to take the issue of poverty seriously.  That's the kind of leadership we need.  Steve is offering realistic goals that will make Oregon and the United States a more just society. 

Where is the other candidate? 

John McCain has a new buddy - hold on to your hats my fellow Americans:

The NYT Caucus reports:

SAN ANTONIO — Senator John McCain got support on Wednesday from an important corner of evangelical Texas when the pastor of a San Antonio mega-church, Rev. John C. Hagee, endorsed Mr. McCain for president. Mr. Hagee, who argues that the United States must join Israel in a preemptive, biblically prophesized military strike against Iran that will lead to the second coming of Christ, praised Mr. McCain for his pro-Israel views.

“John McCain has publicly stated his support of the state of Israel, pledging that his administration will not permit Iran to have nuclear weapons to fulfill the evil dreams of President Ahmadinejad to wipe Israel off the map,'’ Mr. Hagee said at a news conference at the Omni
Hotel in San Antonio.

Mr. Hagee also praised Mr. McCain for his “solid, pro-life voting record for the past 24 years.'’

Mr. McCain, who has been on a steady search for support among conservative and evangelical leaders who have long distrusted him, said he was “very honored'’ by Mr. Hagee’s endorsement. Asked about Mr. Hagee’s extensive writings on Armageddon and about what one questioner said was Mr. Hagee’s belief that the anti-Christ will be the head of the European Union, Mr. McCain responded that “all I can tell you is that I am very proud to have Pastor John Hagee’s support.'’

A long time ago in a galaxy far away there was a honorable man named John McCain.  He was clearly replaced at some point circa 2004 with a clone that looks like McCain but acts and feels like George W. Bush.  Note to aliens please return our senator (but not until November). 

As you may have heard in the news, the IRS has just launched an investigation as to whether or not the United Church of Christ should lose its tax exempt status based on a claim made by the IRS that a speech given by Senator Barack Obama at General Synod last summer was in fact a political event benefiting his campaign. As this video proves nothing could be further from the truth:

Click here to watch the video.

From UCNews:

The Internal Revenue Service has notified the United Church of Christ's national offices in Cleveland, Ohio, that the IRS has opened an investigation into U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's address at the UCC's 2007 General Synod as the church engaging in "political activities."

In the IRS letter dated Feb. 20, the IRS said it was initiating a church tax inquiry "because reasonable belief exists that the United Church of Christ has engaged in political activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status."

The Rev. John H. Thomas, the UCC's general minister and president, called the investigation "disturbing" but said the investigation would reveal that the church did nothing improper or illegal.

This is an issue where the flames have been fanned by a group of conservative political operatives and those who simply dislike the United Church of Christ.  (Note the comment on this conservative political website from the member of an anti-UCC website calling for the UCC to lose its tax exempt status.) 

As UCNews reported today:

Obama, an active member of the United Church of Christ for more than 20 years, addressed the UCC's 50th anniversary General Synod in Hartford, Conn., on June 23, 2007, as one of 60 diverse speakers representing the arts, media, academia, science, technology, business and government. Each was asked to reflect on the intersection of their faith and their respective vocations or fields of expertise. The invitation to Obama was extended a year before he became a Democratic presidential candidate.

"The United Church of Christ took great care to ensure that Senator Obama's appearance before the 50th anniversary General Synod met appropriate legal and moral standards," Thomas told United Church News. "We are confident that the IRS investigation will confirm that no laws were violated."

Before Obama spoke to the national gathering of 10,000 UCC members, Associate General Minister Edith A. Guffey, who serves as administrator of the biennial General Synod, admonished the crowd that Obama's appearance was not to be a campaign-related event and that electioneering would not be tolerated. No political leaflets, signs or placards were allowed, and activity by the Obama campaign was barred from inside the Hartford Civic Center venue.

In an introduction before Obama's speech, Thomas said Obama was invited as "one of ours" to provide reflections on "how personal faith can be lived out in the public square, how personal faith and piety is reflected in the life of public service."

Thomas said the IRS's investigation implies that Obama, a UCC member, is not free to speak openly to fellow UCC members about his faith.

"The very fact of an IRS investigation, however, is disturbing," Thomas said. "When the invitation to an elected public official to speak to the national meeting of his own church family is called into question, it has a chilling effect on every religious community that seeks to encourage politicians and church members to thoughtfully relate their personal faith to their public responsibilities."

Don Clark, a Chicago attorney who serves as the UCC's national special counsel, said the IRS investigation will afford the UCC the opportunity to correct "inaccuracies and misperceptions."

You can read the text of the speech given by the senator at General Synod here.

I have, of course, endorsed Senator Obama. As I said last summer:

As a minister in the United Church of Christ, I trust deeply in the Constitutional principle of separation of church and state and my endorsement is therefore a personal one and does not reflect on the church I serve or my denomination. But as a citizen I believe that all Americans must engage in the political process as individuals for democracy to thrive. So I choose to add my voice today with millions of other Americans concerned about the direction of this nation.

Later, in response to questions, I added:

To keep these kinds of distinctions clear I refrain from any campaign work during work hours, the campaign knows only to call my private cell or home numbers, I do not discuss my involvement on campaigns with church members, and I would never promote my endorsement of a candidate from the pulpit during worship or during any other church related activity.

And I do not address issues related to the political campaign on the United Church News Blog that I edit. To do so would be improper. And so, I use my personal site to respond to these types of issues.  Here my views are my own and do not reflect the UCC in a formal way. 

This IRS investigation is clearly an effort to smear Senator Obama and his church. We have seen the IRS used as a tool by the administration to attempt to silence their critics. But the United Church of Christ has done nothing improper. A fair and just examination of the facts will show that.

The question is: Can Bush’s IRS be fair and just?

This morning at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ our Scripture readings included Psalm 95 and John 4:5-42.  The translation of the Psalm reading came from the NRSV and the translation for the John passage, which tells the story of the woman at the well, came from Robert Funk's The Five Gospels.

Use the below link to download the podcast of the sermon for your iPod or personal computer.

Download PCUCCWomenAtTheWell.m4a

(click with the RIGHT mouse button on the hyperlink and choose “Save Target As” and save to your desktop or other folder – once downloaded click on the file to listen).

Now On ITunes

You can now subscribe to my podcasts on ITunes. Just open the ITunes application and use the search function to find

"Chuck Currie"

then click on the "Subscribe" button.

I now have a Facebook account....to add to my MySpace Page, LinkedIn profile, blog(s), etc., etc.   

I'm not saying you should skip out on my March 2nd sermon but...

Sunday, March 2, 10:25am, First Congregational United Church of Christ (1126 SW Park Ave) in downtown Portland is pleased to have as its guest preacher in worship The Rev. Malcolm Boyd, a priest for over 50 years in the Episcopal Church who first “unofficially” came out as a gay man when he wrote the prayer, “This is a homosexual bar, Jesus” in his best-selling 1965 book, Are You Running with Me, Jesus?  He officially came out in 1977.  His remarks, titled “Departures and Arrivals,” will speak to his experience as a gay clergy and civil rights activist.

Boyd will be joined by his life partner, Mark Thompson.  On May 16, 2004, The Rt. Rev. Jon Bruno, Bishop of Los Angeles, blessed the union of Rev. Boyd and Mr. Thompson, on the twentieth anniversary of their relationship, in the Cathedral of St. Paul, Los Angeles.  Six Episcopal bishops participated in the holy union ceremony.

Boyd is the author of 29 books, including: As I Live and Breathe: Stages of an Autobiography;  Free to Live, Free to Die;  Christian: Its Meaning in an Age of Future Shock; and Take Off the Masks.  In 2005, Union Theological Seminary awarded him the prestigious Unitas Award, citing him as: “Poet, priest, pioneer; for his activism in the Civil Rights movement; for his lasting influence as a role model for gay clergy; and for his best selling spiritual classic, Are You Running with Me, Jesus?”  Boyd is in Portland promoting his new book, Samuel Joseph for President, a collection of satire and stories on the media, politics, religion and race, published by KenArnoldBooks.

You can learn more about First Congregational UCC Portland here.

"People of faith want a candidate who can beat radical Islam.”

- US Senator Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), campaigning for John McCain

Speak for yourself, Senator. As a person of faith, I want a president who engages in diplomacy and dialogue before launching preemptive wars. I want a president who knows that our national security depends on the health of our planet and therefore puts climate change at the top of any international agenda. I want a president who cares that tens of thousands of children die each month from hunger…in dark places that are breeding grounds for those who would use violence to promote their goals.  I want a president who won't compromise our moral values in the name of war.  Senator, I want a president who will work to reconcile Christians, Muslims and Jews the world over.  Like the Vatican and the World Council of Churches, I want a president who will end this war and bring our troops home. 

One of reasons so many Americans admired John McCain over the years was because he seemed to have a solid moral center. Like many, I’ve been especially moved by his fierce fight to ban torture as a practice used by American forces and intelligence agents. This week the United States Senate voted to ban the practice of “water bordering” after religious leaders and human rights groups demanded that the practice be ended. But McCain, now in need of conservative support for his presidential campaign, changed sides and backed torture as a legitimate tool in warfare. Once again we’ve learned that John McCain’s moral backbone snaps with ease.  What other deeply held principles will he cast overboard in lust to win the White House?

In a messed up health care system our children need help where ever they can find it - including in the schools.

That is why over a hundred students and health care advocates went to Salem today in an effort to secure more funding for Oregon school based health care clinics.

Eugene's KVAL reports the story with a video report (complete with quotes from Liz Smith Currie, policy director of the Oregon School Based Health Care Network...and my wife).  Click on the link for the video.

This is one of those areas we can really make a difference on and I'd like to faith community to become more involved in advocating for these essential services.

Important and transformative events are occurring at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ in NE Portland.

Back in mid-2006, I was originally asked to serve for one year as the interim minister but it became apparent quite quickly that the church faced serious difficulties which required a longer interim period.

Over the last sixteen months the church has voted to become “Open And Affirming,” made difficult but responsible financial decisions, cut the projected budget deficit in half, exceeded pledge income, held a serious of successful fund raisers, and engaged in a strategic planning process. We’ve made progress in a number of areas.

Church members have now voted with big majorities to pursue a merger with another local United  Church of Christ congregation. Our hope is that combining our small sized congregation with another church facing similar challenges we might be able to create a new United Church of Christ congregation that is vibrant and filled with the Spirit. The entire process for a merger to take place could be 1-3 years as we search for the right church to connect with.

In the meantime, the people of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ are committed to living out God’s mission for the church. There is still so much for us to do.  If you are in Portland come and visit us.  We worship at 10 am each Sunday.   

"Our Faith is 2000 Years.  Our Thinking Is Not."

Read more about the planning now underway at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ.

Washington State, Nebraska and Louisiana to America:  Yes, We Can!

Related Link:  Why I’m Joining Obama For America: “People of Faith for Barack”

Christians in India never have had an easy time. They represent only 3% of the population and much of the numbers come from the Dalits, the untouchables of Indian society.

Dalit Christians are often targeted for violence and Christian Churches find themselves the targets of terrorist attacks because they teach Dalit Liberation Theology, a Gospel-centered theology that argues that Jesus is the central figure in a movement of social liberation. “I have come to set the captives free,” says Jesus.  That's uncomfortable news to corporations doing business in India (many run in the US) and by governments who benefit from the caste system. 

This week The Rev. Raj Bharath Patta of the National Council of Churches in India, a friend and colleague of mine, wrote and told me about some of his experiences over the last few weeks:

This New Year for me started with a pastoral visit to the Christians in Orissa, who were attacked by the Hindutva people during Christmas time. Me and my colleague from NCCI, two CNI Bishops and one Lay leader went and visited the people in Orissa. It was such a challenging time in my life to visit them in such a tense situation. Nearly 50 churches were attacked, and about 400 houses were burnt. Most of the victims are Dalit Christians. The attacks on Christians are so inhuman and several churches and houses were burnt, and the people had to flee into jungles to save their lives. Few of them are returning back now, and find their dear ones missing. The Dalit Christians are living in such a trauma and fear. I think we need to earnestly pray for peace and harmony in that area. Even till today govt is not allowing any relief to be done by the church. The relief given by the government is not sufficient and are unable to cater to the needs of the people over there. When the whole world were singing silent night on that Christmas day, Christians in Khandamal district of Orissa had to witness a violent sight. Herewith I am sending u a picture of a church attacked. We need your prayers and support at a moment like this.

The only threat posed by Dalit Christians is to the powerful and privileged who make their profits off a slave labor class. The teachings of Jesus is this regard are revolutionary and clearly there is an on-going effort to silence Christian voices demanding justice.

Please lift this issue up in your Churches with prayers.  Look for ways to get involved here in the United States.  And keep track of the work being done by The Rev. Raj Bharath Patta of the National Council of Churches in India.  Keep Rev. Raj, his family, and NCC India in your prayers as well.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE. 

Elections should be about real people and the issues they face.  One issue that nearly always gets left off the agenda is poverty.   But since Gordon Smith voted to approve George W. Bush's economic agenda the number of Americans living in poverty has risen (after years of declining poverty rates).  That means growing numbers of children are homeless right here in Oregon, that people are struggling with the rising cost of food, and are losing their homes and living in their cars or in shelters.

Two months ago I asked Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick, the two leading democrat candidates for U.S. Senate, to outline their plans for fighting poverty.  As I reported this week, both campaigns responded.  Steve Novick invited me out for coffee with him and his campaign manager to discuss poverty and Jeff Merkley's net outreach coordinator did the same.

Now Steve Novick has issued a comprehensive anti-poverty plan:

Today nearly 39 million Americans, including 480,000 Oregonians live below the federal poverty line. That is a staggering disgrace. We are the richest nation in the world, yet the number of people in poverty has been actually been rising in recent years. It is a central commitment of mine in this campaign to help rebuild this nation’s middle class and that means providing opportunities for every American to make a better life for themselves. And I mean everyone. Too often those living in real poverty are overlooked in our discussions of the economy. I simply cannot accept a society where people are left out the effort to create shared prosperity. Therefore, I have outlined a “Poverty Agenda” to help those living in poverty join the middle class.

His plan addresses affordable housing, national health care reform, the minimum wage, affordable child care, assistance for those needing food, better investments in public transportation, and public advocacy.

Aside from policy prescriptions and proposals, we must do more to ensure that the poor in America are never overlooked or forgotten. I was proud to support John Edwards’ campaign, in part for his commitment to addressing poverty and economic inequality in America. As Oregon’s next U.S. Senator, I’d be an outspoken advocate on poverty issues – demanding real action in Congress to ensure that everyone in our nation can get ahead, not just the richest one percent. In addition, I’d use the bully pulpit to put the issue squarely in the public’s eye, holding town halls, visiting communities to talk about their challenges in fighting poverty and pushing the media to cover the issue.

All of this - on top of Novick's already announced health care reform plans - offer us a good look at how he would address the issue of poverty in America.  I'm proud of him for being the first candidate in the race for the U.S. Senate to make this issue a top priority.  His plan is solid and he has chosen many of the right issues to address.  Take the time to read the full plan.

I look forward to Speaker Merkley following Novick's lead soon and issuing a comprehensive plan of his own.  He already has experience with this issue and a clear interest in it.  But voters deserve specifics.  We need to know that our next United States Senator will be an advocate for the poorest of the poor in America.  Steve Novick has already gone a long way toward demonstrating that he would be a senator for all Oregonians.          

This evening at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon a special worship service was held to for Ash Wednesday.  Our readings included Psalm 51 and Matthew 6:1-18.

Use the below link to download the podcast of the sermon for your iPod or personal computer.

Download PCUCCAshWednesday.m4a

(click with the RIGHT mouse button on the hyperlink and choose “Save Target As” and save to your desktop or other folder – once downloaded click on the file to listen).

Now On ITunes

You can now subscribe to my podcasts on ITunes. Just open the ITunes application and use the search function to find

"Chuck Currie"

then click on the "Subscribe" button.

As the election season heats up the National Council of Churches USA has re-issued their Christian Principles in An Election Year.  Check this out before you vote.

THANK YOU!

Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Utah

Two months ago I wrote:

Check out the campaign websites of Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick and you’ll find at least one prominent issue missing from the debate as these two duke it out for the democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Gordon Smith: poverty.

In part because of economic policies championed by Gordon Smith and President Bush, poverty levels have risen in America since 2001. In Oregon, as the Oregon Center on Budget and Policy Priorities pointed out on August 28, 2007, that means more Oregonians are suffering...

Oregon does need a plan for reducing – even ending poverty – and there are people across the country working on such strategies. Neither Gordon Smith or Ron Wyden has never shown any leadership on the issue. I challenge Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick to make fighting poverty a centerpiece of their campaigns.

Both campaigns responded.  Steve Novick invited me out for coffee with his campaign manager to discuss poverty and Jeff Merkley's net outreach coordinator did the same.

But I'm still waiting for both the campaigns to post their plans online for fighting poverty in America.  Senate candidates ought to be concerned about this issue and Oregonians need to demand that they offer specific ideas that help reduce the poverty level in Oregon and the other 49 states. 

I've been promised those plans will be coming soon and while I know how hectic and busy campaign life can be, I'm still waiting....  So are tens of thousands of Oregonians without health care, without a place to live, and without enough food to eat.   

As a pro-choice minister, I get a lot of heat from those who believe abortion is equivalent with murder.  But the truth is that most Christians in America (despite the teachings of some religious groups) are in favor of providing women with a full range of reproductive options.  Most mainline denominations (United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ, Episcopal Church USA, etc.) have taken official pro-choice stances. 

Being pro-choice is a position fully consistent with Christian ethics.

But well funded (and sometimes well intentioned) organizations and political groups will do anything to make access to abortion illegal. 

So how do the remaining 2008 presidential candidates stack-up on issues related to abortion and sex education?  Where do Obama, Clinton, McCain, Romney and Huckabee come down on the issues?

Find out on the website of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

I urge you to vote for candidates that believe women and their doctors should be making medical decisions - not politicians and interest groups.  Don't let the Religious Right and their allies stack the courts any longer with anti-choice judges. 

Related Link:  I’m A Pro-Choice Christian And I Vote 

I want to applaud U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman’s decision validating the Oregon Legislature’s courageous decision to allow domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples.  As a minister in the United Church of Christ, a mainline Christian denomination that supports marriage equality, I look forward to providing the full range of pastoral services – including weddings – that should be available by all.  Domestic partnerships are a step in the right direction.  Gay and lesbian couples should have the same civil rights that my wife and I enjoy as a heterosexual couple.