Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie

Made In Oregon: Debate Over The City's Soul

The University of Oregon, located hours from Portland in Eugene, has come into possession of Portland's beloved "Made In Oregon" sign and wants to change the wording and lighting to reflect the university's name and brand.  That's a dumb-ass idea and the take no prisoners approach by U of O officials (they've threaned to let the sign go dark if they don't get their way) reflects badly on the leadership of university president David Frohnmayer.  Riding to the rescue is Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard who wants to use the city's power of eminent domain to take control of the sign before Frohnmayer and his Eugene gang get the chance to damage Portland's skyline.  In the end, this is not a debate about a sign.  This is a debate about who Portland is...a debate about our city's soul.  We're not the gateway to Eugene (we're the home of Portland State University, thank you very much).  We are, however, one of the gateways to Oregon - all of Oregon - and I encourge the city to use every legal tool at their disposal to save the sign for the people of Portland.   

Photo credit:  Commissioner Leonard's blog.

Pope Newt Gingrich

You'd have thought that the Roman Catholic Church had enough problems these days - what with the Pope first embracing a Nazi sympathizer (a decision the pontiff thankfully backed away from after a worldwide outcry) and then speaking out against condoms in Africa (remarks that were condemned by international health groups).  We all have our bad periods.   

Not helping matters is their newly self-appointed spokesman:

Newt Gingrich, the disgraced former U.S. House speaker.

First some background:

President Obama has been invited to deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame, a Roman Catholic institution.  Some Roman Catholic groups and one bishop have condemned the invitation because of the president's stances on health issues that are at odds with Roman Catholic positions.  But their concerns turn out to be partisan.  None of these same groups protested when George W. Bush addressed students at Notre Dame (or other Roman Catholic schools) even though Bush started the war in Iraq (a move opposed by Rome) and the death penalty.

There is nothing wrong when Roman Catholics finding fault with Democrats (even though I may disagree with their reasons) but why do some in their leadership ignore or even openly support Republicans? Thankfully, most in the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church are fair minded and even when taking controversial stands are open and tolerant of other view points.   

Catholics United issued a statement in support of university's decision to invite the president and calling out those opposing the president's visit for "selectively applying the Catholic faith in service of their partisan agendas."

One of those selectively applying the Catholic faith is none other than Gingrich.  He called the invitation "sad" and said the president had "anti-Catholic values."  Gingrich, a life long Baptist, is joining the Roman Catholic church this weekend, according to media reports.  

Gingrich, however, really shouldn't be lecturing anyone about values.  As Media Matters reports, Gingrich has had a couple of divorces and some other problems:

There was Jackie, his former high school math teacher, whom he divorced as she was in the hospital recovering from cancer surgery, and Marianne, whom he married shortly after divorcing Jackie, and with whom he was still married when he began his relationship with Callista -- an affair that occurred around the time he was promising to never give another speech as Speaker of the House without mentioning the Lewinsky scandal. 

Gingrich was forced to resign. 

In addition, Gingrich spoke out in support of the war in Iraq and as the House Speaker launched an unprecedented campaign to cut services for the poorest of the poor in America.       

Why I Support Cesar E. Chavez Blvd

Show me the suffering of the most miserable, so I may know my people’s plight.

Free me to pray for others, for you are present in every person.

Help me to take responsibility for my own life, so that I can be free at last.

Grant me courage to serve others, for in service there is true life.

Give me honesty and patience, so that I can work with other workers.

Bring forth song and celebration, so that the Spirit will be alive among us.

Let the Spirit flourish and grow, so that we will never tire of the struggle.

Let us remember those who have died for justice, for they have given us life.

Help us love even those who hate us, so we can change the world. Amen.

- a prayer written by Cesar E. Chavez (1927-1993) 

A two-year debate over whether or not to rename a prominent Portland street after labor activist Cesar E. Chavez is back in the news again as advocates for the change have launched a new push for the move. Grand Avenue, Broadway and NE 39th are the streets under consideration for the name change. A previous proposal to rename Interstate Avenue failed after an acrimonious debate that was sometimes racist in tone. Our nation owes a great deal to Chavez for his moral leadership in organizing and drawing attention to the plight of farm workers. Unfortunately, there is still a great deal of work left to be accomplished in this area. Renaming a Portland street after Chavez would both honor his legacy and lift up the needs of farm workers today. As a resident of a neighborhood that borders both Broadway and NE 39th, I would welcome the move. The United Church of Christ has a long history of supporting the farm worker labor movement and I hope that this proposal receives strong backing not only from members of our denomination in the area but also from all people concerned about social justice.

Battlestar Galactica

From NPR:

All Things Considered, March 20, 2009 · Over the past five years on television, there's been a rigorous, messy, emotional exploration of important questions facing our country and the world — questions about torture, religious fundamentalism, resistance and genocide.

We're not talking about Frontline. Or Nightline. This is Battlestar Galactica,the SciFi channel's brooding, often brutal re-imagining of the cheesy '70s-vintage series.

Again and again, the writers and producers of BSG have put a civilization in immediate peril and asked how far its leaders ought to go to protect it. Tonight, the story comes to an end with the critically acclaimed series' final episode.

To mark the show's finale, its fans at the United Nations — people whose nonfictional jobs involve wrestling with similar issues day in and day out — invited the cast and producers to visit the U.N. for a two-hour panel discussion and talk-back.

Click here for the full story.

BSG came on the air during my first year in seminary.  It caught the attention of many of my fellow students because of the theological subtext present in so many of the episodes.  This wasn't the Battlestar Galactica of the 1970s simply redone.  The premise of the show might have been the same - robots created as servants rebel and nearly wipe out the human population in a nuclear genocide - but this redux of the program wouldn't allow viewers to see life as so black and white.  Issues like religious fundamentalism and terrorism were thrown into the story line and it often was hard to know who the bad guys were.  All that combined with great writing, terrific acting and top-notch specific effects made it "the best show on television".  It was The West Wing...in space.

The show ends tonight (unless you count the upcoming made for tv movie and the spin-off series set to air in 2010). 

Have I ever mentioned the way cool fact that BSG star Katee Sackhoff (aka Starbuck) is also a graduate of Sunset High School...just 11 years after I was there?   

Is Rahm Emanuel A Higher Power?

Perhaps in the UCC.

Poll: UCC Clergy Most Progressive In Mainline Tradition

This month a new poll of mainline clergy was released. Public Religion Research looked at social, theological and political opinions of clergy in the United Methodist Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, American Baptist Churches USA, Presbyterian Church USA, Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

United Church of Christ clergy stood apart from their colleagues as generally more progressive. For example, on average 70% of mainline clergy believe the government should play a more active role in solving social problems. 90% of UCC clergy support more active government intervention in social issues.  However, there is diversity in the mainline tradition (even within the UCC) even as opinions trend progressive.   

Read this entire post at the United Church News Blog. 

Paul Raushenbush Will Speak Tuesday Night at Linfield

There’s a program taking place at Oregon’s Linfield College this week that I’m very excited about:

McMINNVILLE – "Hope in a Time of Crisis: Rauschenbusch's Christianity Revisited" will be the theme of the Frazee Symposium March 9 and 10 at Linfield College.

The two-day symposium will focus on the work of Walter Rauschenbusch, a theologian and Baptist minister who is called the "Father of the Social Gospel" movement of the early 20th century. A dramatic portrayal of Walter Rauschenbusch will be presented Monday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. by performing artist the Rev. Al Staggs. The following evening, Tuesday, March 10, the Rev. Paul Raushenbush, the great-grandson of Walter Rauschenbusch will speak on the relevance of his great-grandfather's theology for today's context and challenges. A panel will respond to the address, followed by a question and answer session.

Walter Rauschenbusch has been called one of the most influential American religious leaders of the last 100 years. He believed that Christian principles must be translated into actions that promote compassion, justice and social change. Between 1886 and 1897 he was the pastor of the Second German Baptist Church in the Hell's Kitchen area of New York City. As he witnessed massive economic insecurity, he began to believe that Christianity must address the physical as well as the spiritual needs of human kind. While a professor at the Rochester Theological Seminary, he developed a theology for the social gospel that emphasized, in addition to private sins, there are also social sins against humanity that must be addressed for Christianity to have relevance.

Al Staggs combined his passion for performing and working for peace and justice into producing one-person plays and characterizations of individuals such as German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Clarence Jordan, Archbishop Oscar Romero, Thomas Merton and Walter Rauschenbusch. He has a B.A. from Hardin Simmons University, and M.R.E. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Harvard Divinity School and Doctor of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He worked as parish minister for two decades before devoting his time to performing.

Paul Raushenbush is the moderator for Beliefnet's Progressive Revival and associate dean of religious life and the chapel at Princeton University. He is an ordained American Baptist minister and speaks and preaches at colleges, churches and institutes around the country. He has served churches in Seattle and New York City and has appeared on ABC News and CNN. He is the editor of the 100th anniversary edition of Walter Rauschenbusch's book "Christianity and Social Crisis – In the 21st Century" and the author of "Teen Spirit: One World, Many Faiths." His work at Princeton includes strengthening the interfaith community on campus. He is co-director of the Program on Religion, Diplomacy and International Relations at the Liechtenstein Institute on Self Determination at Princeton University.

The program is sponsored by the Frazee Lecture in Bible and Religion, established by friends and family in honor of Gordon G. Frazee, who served Linfield for 32 years as chaplain and professor of religion. The fund is used to underwrite an annual lecture under the auspices of the Linfield Religious Studies Department. The symposium is free and open to the public. For more information, call David Massey, Linfield chaplain and assistant professor of religious studies, 503-883-2259, [email protected].

I'll be attending the Tuesday night program to hear Dr. Raushenbush speak. During my final year at Eden Theological Seminary I worked on an in-depth research project on Walter Rauschenbusch and was glad to meet Paul Raushenbush in person this summer when we were both attending an event in Denver. His blog, Progressive Revial, is a must read.  I know it will be well worth the drive to McMinnville to hear his presentation.

President Obama To Lift Ban On Embryonic Stem Cell Research

President Barack Obama is scheduled on Monday to lift the federal ban on embryonic stem cell research. The ban was imposed by President Bush and enjoyed support from the Religious Right but embryonic stem cell research has been supported by the United Church of Christ, Episcopal Church (USA), the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. Scientific leaders have long argued that such research has the potential to cure "diabetes, spinal cord paralysis, heart disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, cancer, MS [multiple sclerosis], Lou Gehrig's disease" and any number of other conditions. The General Synod of the United Church of Christ endorsed federal funding of embryonic stem cell research in 2001 saying that “Jesus set an example, by his ministry of healing and caring for the sick and disabled, challenging us to follow his example by supporting the healing and caring ministry in our own day.” President Obama is to be applauded for undertaking this action. The president’s position is entirely consistent with Christian ethics.

Related Link:  Support For Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is A Christian Position

"Protecting The Least Of These"

The Oregonian has published an op-ed that I wrote - Protecting The Least Of These - concerning deliberations over Portland's budget.  Check it out.

Tell Portland City Council "NO" On Public Funding For Stadium

Action Alert from Onward Oregon

Shouldn't we spend taxpayer money on things that matter?

The Portland City Council is considering throwing millions of taxpayer dollars at a new soccer team. The city is going to cut essential services because of the recession, but powerful interests are pushing them toward this plan.

Studies have consistently shown that building new stadiums provides no economic benefit. While the city cuts essential services, can we really afford a new stadium?

Let our City Council know that taxpayer dollars should go to jobs, not new sports teams.

In asking for public money to change PGE Park into a soccer-only stadium, the planners Merritt Paulson and his father, former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, are asking Portland to take money from schools and poor people to pay for their profit.

Tell the Portland City Council to keep our scarce city dollars out of the Paulsons' pockets.

The City Council is going to decide on the stadium soon. There is a lot of power and money supporting this new "Paulson Plan." What we have is grassroots energy and a love of Portland.

Let the City Council know that this isn't the way we want Portland's money to be used.

The Team at Onward Oregon
www.OnwardOregon.org

Weekly Podcast From Parkrose Community United Church of Christ For March 5, 2009

 Use the below link to download the podcast of this message from Rev. Chuck Currie for your iPod or personal computer. 

Download 03-05-09

(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 Rev. Currie's podcasts on ITunes by clicking here.

You can download a PDF copy of this message by clicking here.

Yes, I Still Think Sam Adams Should Resign

The Portland Mercury has an article up talking about the recall effort against Mayor Sam Adams and mentions people - like myself - who feel the mayor should step down for the good of Portland.

My reasons for asking the mayor to resign are the same now as they were in late January.

But I continue to oppose a recall. 

Commissioner Nick Fish Promises To Work For Homeless Youth Funding

Yesterday area religious leaders sent the Portland City Council a letter expressing concern that homeless youth programs might get cut out of the FY 09 budget.  That letter received an immediate response from Commissioner Nick Fish.  The two of us spent the better part of the day trying to clarify whether or not the funding for the homeless youth system was truly in jeopardy.  It came down to an issue of terminology.  Yes, the funding is in jeopardy.  But the 100% proposed cut in the Bureau of Housing and Community Development was called for not by Commissioner Fish but by the city's mandated ranking system.  Confusing?  Yes.  But Commissioner Fish, a longtime supporter of homeless programs and affordable housing, wants religious leaders to know that he will fight for the youth funding.  A letter that he sent late last night underscores his commitment and explains the situation better.

None of the other members of the City Council responded immediately.  We need them to continue to hear from community leaders that this funding is important.  E-mail each of them and ask that they support Commissioner Fish's budget proposals that would fully fund the homeless youth system.

Mayor Adams

[email protected]

 

Commissioner Fritz

[email protected]

 

Commissioner Leonard

[email protected]

 

Commissioner Saltzman

[email protected]

Here is the text of the letter from Commissioner Fish:

Dear Chuck,

Thank you for contacting me about funding for the Homeless Youth System in the Bureau of Housing and Community Development (BHCD) budget.

My highest priority in these challenging times is to protect the safety net programs that our youth, families, seniors, and people with disabilities depend upon. That is why BHCD's budget request for FY 2009-10 includes an add package seeking continued funding at current levels for the County's Homeless Youth System.

Here are our challenges. The City will have fewer resources than it did last year, and Council will have to make tough budget choices this Spring. BHCD's budget situation is particularly daunting, since approximately 20% of its budget for the current year (FY 2008-09) is made up of 'one-time only' discretionary funding from the City's General Fund. Economic projections prepared by the City's finance office suggest that Council will have little or no discretionary funding to allocate in the FY 2009-10 budget.

To further complicate matters, as part of this budget process, Council required the Bureau to rank all of its programs on two scales: how important the public thinks they are, and how essential they are to carrying out the Bureau's mission. These rankings are on the City's budget website. 'Pass-through' funding to the County for homeless youth system programs received a lower ranking from the Bureau than programs serving homeless adults, because, under Resolution A, the City has primary responsibility for funding the system that serves unaccompanied adults, while the County is the primary sponsor of the systems that serve families with children and youth.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, I will fight to ensure that all safety net programs remain adequately funded next year, and explore every option to identify resources.

BHCD will present its requested budget to City Council on Friday, March 13th. The Mayor will release his proposed budget for the City on or about April 28th. You and other members of the public will have an opportunity to address Council at public hearings before the full City Council on May 20-21. Please watch the City's budget website, www.portlandonline.com/omf/index.cfm?c=26061, for details.

Thank you for your commitment to homeless and at-risk youth. Your participation in the City's budget process helps to ensure that Council's decisions will be sound and well-informed.

Sincerely, Nick Fish

Again, I urge you to contact the other members of the council and impress on them how important it is for Portland to protect programs for vulnerable populations.

Please also write Commissioner Fish and thank him for his leadership on these issues.  His e-mail address is:

 

[email protected]

Finally, Dr. Kathy Oliver, executive director of Outside In, asked me to share this message with those who signed the letter to the City Council:

Chuck,

Would you please extend my thanks to the leaders in the faith community who signed the letter in support of funding shelter and housing for Portland's homeless youth? 
 
I believe it had an impact.  I'm very appreciative.
Kathy
 
Kathy Oliver, PhD
Executive Director
Outside In

Outside In is a longtime provider of services to homeless youth.  Check out their website to learn more about their important work.

 

For Fans Of Jim Barlow

There's now a Facebook group.

Robert Jones Will Speak At Lewis & Clark Today

Today Dr. Robert Jones, author of Progressive and Religious, will be speaking at Lewis and Clark College (Noon, in the Templeton Student Center's Council Chambers) and I'll be making the trek up their there to listen thanks to his invitation. 

Religious Leaders Tell Portland Council To Protect Homeless Youth

March 2, 2008

Press Advisory

For additional information contact
The Rev. Chuck Currie
503-253-5457 or [email protected]

Religious Leaders Tell Portland Council To Protect Homeless Youth

Religious leaders from across the Portland area today issued a letter to the Portland City Council asking that the council protect programs for homeless youth that are currently being considered for elimination.

The city’s Bureau of Housing and Community Development is requesting that the City Council eliminate 100% of current City funding for both Transitional Housing and Short Term Shelter in the Homeless Youth System.

The letter was signed by representatives of 25 mainline Christian, Evangelical, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and ecumenical churches and / organizations.

“It has been said that every great economic crisis is in reality a great moral crisis. How we treat children is without question one of the most important moral issues of our time. We know from years of research that 80% of homeless youth involved with transitional housing leave the streets. Short Term Shelter is the place where homeless youth first access services and is the place – particularly during cold winter months – where their lives are literally saved,” stated the letter.

Click here to download the letter.