Monday, April 29, 2013

Jim Wallis @ASC | Monday, April 29


Jim Wallis, CEO of Sojourners, is a bestselling author, public theologian, speaker, and international commentator on ethics and public life. Jim will be reading from his latest book, On God's Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn't Learned about Serving the Common Good. Books available for purchase and signing.

Location: Forum
Contact: Christina Honchell, (626) 583-2742 or chonchell@allsaints-pas.org

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Ched Myers at All Saints Church | Saturday, April 27

 

On the Road to Emmaus:
Hearing the Prophetic Imperative to Transform Our Lives

with Ched Myers -- Biblical Scholar and Animator

Saturday, April 27 | 9am--1pm | in the Forum at All Saints Church
132 North Euclid Ave, Pasadena

In the continuing tradition of our previous Sabbath Economic studies, we'll explore the remarkable politics and theology within Luke 24:10-48. Two of Jesus’disciples—running scared and discouraged from Jerusalem after the death of their leader—encounter a stranger on the road to Emmaus. In their anxiety, we will encounter our own fear and trepidation at the nature of a world enslaved in violence, addictions and deadened conscience.

In their "hearts burning" we will be empowered by the revelation of God's liberating, non-violent, loving message found within the prophetic tradition. Join us as we move deeply within scripture to recover what our faith means in a world economically antithetical to God's Kingdom.

The day will include:
• Ched Myer's presentation sessions
• Small group sharing
• Books and study guides
• Follow up opportunities for action and reflection
• Community loaves and fishes lunch
• Sustainable World dessert

Please bring your lunch, Bible, and a $5 donation.
The Biblical Vision of Sabbath Economics by Ched Myers and Sabbath Economics: Household Practices by Matthew Colwell available for sale.

Please reserve in advance with Marty Coleman at 626-792-4941 or martycoleman@pacbell.net

Sponsored by:
Sustainable World, an economic justice ministry at All Saints Church, in partnership with:
• All Saints Church Peace & Justice Ministries, Francisco Garcia, Director
• All Saints Church Economic Justice Working Group
• Pasadena Mennonite Church
• Knox Presbyterian Church
Urban Village of Pasadena
• Progressive Christians Uniting, Reverend Peter Laarman, Executive Director

Monday, April 15, 2013

"On God's Side" with Jim Wallis at All Saints Church

Jim Wallis visits All Saints Church on Monday, April 29th with his newest book: "On God's Side."

"Blurbed" by Cornel West, Richard Rohr and Anne Lamott (among others) the book is a challenge to the nation to find "common ground" and build bridges across differences. Aligned with All Saints' core values of love, justice and compassion, Wallis is always a compelling speaker. Join us in the Forum on Monday evening, April 29th at 7:00 p.m. for an evening of information and inspiration.


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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Thursdays with Ed: Conversations in Community

This spring the rector’s schedule includes:

A time of spiritual retreat on the island of Iona in April;
An invitation in May from Sandy Hook Promise to be part of the Newtown, CT commitment “to truly honor the lives lost by turning tragedy into a moment of transformation” by ending gun violence;
The opportunity to be part of “The Contemplative Alliance” -- an emerging coalition committed to creating a strategic ‘Sacred Earth’ message that can be shared among the American public -- in June.

Plan now to be part of this series of conversations in community with Ed as he brings back to our parish family what he has learned and been inspired by in these experiences with our wider human family.

Thursday, April 18: The Power of Contemplation
Thursday, May 16: Nonviolent Responses to Gun Violence
Thursday, June 27: A New Narrative for Economic Justce & Sustainability

Sweetland Hall | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Register at the Small Groups Table on the lawn on Sunday or on the All Saints website | For more information conact Ana Camacho by email or call 626-583-2737

Monday, April 8, 2013

ACKNOWLEDGING THE HABIT OF GENEROSITY



by Stuart Horwitz

Most writers dream of the day they get to write their “Acknowledgments.” The Acknowledgments are that section in the back of the book that tells uninitiated readers just who helped a writer along the way. Part of the excitement in writing an Acknowledgments section is that it means the book has gone on to bigger things, that it actually will be in the hands of an uninitiated reader. Aside from that bit of ego, the exercise seems relatively harmless.

I sat down to write my Acknowledgments at an island cafe one afternoon anticipating a joyful experience. I also thought I might be finished in time for dinner. Several days and several drafts later I realized that acknowledging and appreciating others—practicing the Habit of Generosity as Rev. Ed Bacon terms it—is no easy task.

First, there are the people you have to put in versus the people you want to put in. It’s kind of like a holiday in that way. The people who deserve credit for their contributions to our lives and the people it is fun to give thanks for do not necessarily belong to the same subset of individuals. Yet it turned out to be critical to acknowledge both groups.

Next there are the gradations to consider, like “Who goes first?” “Who gets all caps?” Or, “How many exclamation points?” As an independent editor I end up in a lot of Acknowledgments sections. I have been guilty of flipping immediately to the back of a new book to see if my name is in there, and if it is, then in what relative position it is located or how many words surround it. This line of thinking sucks the joy out of receiving a finished product that took another individual years to complete. Such analysis also relativizes everyone’s offering, operating from a scarcity mentality that somehow there is not enough greatness to go around.

The Habit of Generosity, as I came to understand it from working with Ed, is the opposite of scarcity. Who came up with what line or idea is irrelevant—what matters is the relationship between people that provides the inspiration necessary to continue on with what can be challenging work. When I started focusing on the relationships that were generative for my writing, I began to play in an area of the Beloved that caused my pen to flow faster and faster, and I almost made it to the end.

What stopped me? Well, life, which as we know, is not “all good.” The names of individuals with whom I had recent conflict surfaced. What about giving credit where credit was due to an individual that I no longer worked with? How could I adequately describe her profound impact on my work given that we were barely on speaking terms?

Again the Habit of Generosity came to my rescue. It whispered that on my present plane such complications were real, while on the plane of the Beloved my former colleague’s contributions had been recorded in their most bright and shining incarnation. It was only for me to enter there; the door, as I think Jesus says somewhere, opened from my side.

During the writing of 8 Habits of Love, Ed would say to me, “The Beloved always ends in a party.” Well, since the Acknowledgments were the last section, I wanted my book to end in a party, too. Keeping the Habit of Generosity in mind, I ended up feeling like the host of a large gathering where you want to keep moving just to make sure that everyone feels comfortable.

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Stuart Horwitz is the author of 'Blueprint Your Bestseller' (Penguin, 2013) and a noted expert on literary revision who assisted Ed Bacon in creating a sound structure for his book, "8 Habits of Love."  Stu is coming to All Saints to share his process on Wednesday, April 17th -- he is most excited about part two of his presentation that night when he gets to share the stage with Ed to discuss the ins and outs of editors and authors working together.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

"Good News to Share" from Ed Bacon



I wanted to share with you the good news that our friend and inspiration Archbishop Desmond Tutu (pictured here during his February 2011 visit to Pasadena) has been awarded the $1.7 million 2013 Templeton Prize for "helping inspire people around the world by promoting forgiveness and justice."

I also want to share this email exchange I had with him in response to the prize announcement and invite you to join with me in giving thanks for the prophetic ministry of Archbishop Tutu and the privilege of partnering with him in the work of making God’s love tangible 24/7 here at All Saints Church!
My dear brother, father, and friend,

Congratulations on receiving the Templeton Prize. It is so richly deserved and will no doubt send ripples of grace, justice, and nonviolence into the world again from your prayerful heart, soul, and mind. Let us at All Saints know if you need anything for your ministry.

Blessings and love always,
Ed
And I received in return this note from "the Arch:"
Kosher Bacon,

Thank you and all at All Saints. This belongs to us all. I stand out only because you all carry me on your shoulders. Thank you for partnering with us over these many years and giving us so much refreshment.

Much love …
Arch.

Prop 8, DOMA, and the Arc of Justice: A Progressive Christian look at the Marriage Equality Cases



Justice Scalia referred to the fact that nine states have now approved same-sex marriage as a “sea change.” By this summer we will see if the Supreme Court is moving with the arc of the universe as it bends toward justice. The Court will decide whether or not the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) violates the US constitution in prohibiting federal government recognition of same-sex marriages that are sanctioned by states. It will also decide if California’s Proposition 8 violates the US constitution because it discriminates against lesbians and gays by prohibiting same-sex marriage.

In the meantime come to the Rector’s Forum this Sunday for insights and analysis from Albert Giang and Linda Burrow, attorneys at the law firm of Caldwell, Leslie & Proctor, which has been heavily involved in marriage equality litigation, including filing numerous briefs in the Prop 8 case. Don’t miss this discussion of Proposition 8 and DOMA—how we got to the point and where it might be going next.

Susan Russell will preach at the 7:30, 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services on Without a Doubt. Francisco Garcia preaches at the 1:00 p.m. Spanish/English service.

If you can't be with us in person, join in via live stream from the All Saints website.