The Memphis Commercial Appeal covered our vigil yesterday and ran a few blurbs at the end of the story today. (For the story, click here.)
I'm in the photo in the upper left corner.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
WIN - Prayer vigil in the face UTHSC job cuts
The Worker's Interfaith Network helped sponsor a vigil today on the campus of the University of Tennessee's Health Science Center in Memphis. While the Commercial Appeal called it a protest (see article),l it was a simple prayer vigil supporting the workers and the students to be affected by these proposed job and program cuts. The crux of my argument is that no budget has been proposed for this year, and these decisions can be based on nothing but fear.
Following is the prayer for staff and students I led at the vigil.
In life, God, we are yours. We are held in your hands – we teach our children that you do have the whole world in your hands. You are creator of all things new, healer of things that are broken, savior of those in trouble. We come together this day because we are troubled. Troubled by fear of an uncertain future. Troubled by the unknown. We are troubled because as we gather this day, the economy of this nation, in this state and in this city seems to be on shifting sand. As we stand here and see each others faces, and hold each others hands, we are reminded that the worth of an economy is not be measured by a string of numbers, percentage points, or tallies on a balance sheet; the worth of an economy should be measured by how it values its workers. It is in the hands that labor, the hearts that show commitment, the minds that are put to the task of learning and teaching that we see the true worth of our economy.
And so we pray now for those hands, hearts, and minds; we pray for all the staff of the UT Health Science Center. We know that a job is more than a place to go to fill up the day. A job is more than a paycheck at the end of the day. Work gives us purpose. It gives us value. It allows us to contribute to something greater than ourselves, whether it is through small daily tasks or great ones. We pray for security and confidence for those who face the unknown. Not knowing whether today will be their last day in this work place, or next week their last. Not knowing if the next paycheck will be there to feed hungry mouths. Not knowing if being let go will limit their chances of advancement in the next job. We pray for the staff who worry for their friends and colleagues, not knowing if their jobs will become all that more demanding and stressful because of the loss of a workmate. We pray for the folks in management who are asked to carry on with fewer resources to complete the same tasks as before.
We also gather here to pray for the students. This school is here for them. To serve them, educate them, build them into leaders in their fields of study and chosen profession. The students here face uncertainty, too. For when the quality of their education is endangered, it's not just their studies that are jeopardized, so too is the quality of the care and service they will provide to others in the years ahead. We pray that you will empower these students to face the challenges that lay ahead – to face them with dignity, a renewed sense of purpose, and a will to overcome whatever is in their path.
We pray these things in the name of the Divine One who cries for peace and justice for all people.
Following is the prayer for staff and students I led at the vigil.
In life, God, we are yours. We are held in your hands – we teach our children that you do have the whole world in your hands. You are creator of all things new, healer of things that are broken, savior of those in trouble. We come together this day because we are troubled. Troubled by fear of an uncertain future. Troubled by the unknown. We are troubled because as we gather this day, the economy of this nation, in this state and in this city seems to be on shifting sand. As we stand here and see each others faces, and hold each others hands, we are reminded that the worth of an economy is not be measured by a string of numbers, percentage points, or tallies on a balance sheet; the worth of an economy should be measured by how it values its workers. It is in the hands that labor, the hearts that show commitment, the minds that are put to the task of learning and teaching that we see the true worth of our economy.
And so we pray now for those hands, hearts, and minds; we pray for all the staff of the UT Health Science Center. We know that a job is more than a place to go to fill up the day. A job is more than a paycheck at the end of the day. Work gives us purpose. It gives us value. It allows us to contribute to something greater than ourselves, whether it is through small daily tasks or great ones. We pray for security and confidence for those who face the unknown. Not knowing whether today will be their last day in this work place, or next week their last. Not knowing if the next paycheck will be there to feed hungry mouths. Not knowing if being let go will limit their chances of advancement in the next job. We pray for the staff who worry for their friends and colleagues, not knowing if their jobs will become all that more demanding and stressful because of the loss of a workmate. We pray for the folks in management who are asked to carry on with fewer resources to complete the same tasks as before.
We also gather here to pray for the students. This school is here for them. To serve them, educate them, build them into leaders in their fields of study and chosen profession. The students here face uncertainty, too. For when the quality of their education is endangered, it's not just their studies that are jeopardized, so too is the quality of the care and service they will provide to others in the years ahead. We pray that you will empower these students to face the challenges that lay ahead – to face them with dignity, a renewed sense of purpose, and a will to overcome whatever is in their path.
We pray these things in the name of the Divine One who cries for peace and justice for all people.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Law and Justice
Raw Materials:
Struggling with laws is the theme for today. The state is scheduled to execute Steve Henley tonight, the first execution in TN since May 2007, I believe. The Supreme Court and Gov. Bredesen have refused to intervene. I joined our local TCASK chapter (Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing) for a vigil outside of of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Central Avenue. It was cold for a Memphis night, but we pray that peace will come for the families of those who were killed and the one who will be killed tonight.
Faith Brewed:
There is law, then there is justice. The law is the state's; justice belongs to God. If we believe the law is always just, then we are putting our faith in idols. God's justice is deeper and more powerful than our struggling structures.
Today's brew:
PG Tips - Classic English black tea. Great for cold mornings when I need something softer and more reflective than a coffee.
Struggling with laws is the theme for today. The state is scheduled to execute Steve Henley tonight, the first execution in TN since May 2007, I believe. The Supreme Court and Gov. Bredesen have refused to intervene. I joined our local TCASK chapter (Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing) for a vigil outside of of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Central Avenue. It was cold for a Memphis night, but we pray that peace will come for the families of those who were killed and the one who will be killed tonight.
Faith Brewed:
There is law, then there is justice. The law is the state's; justice belongs to God. If we believe the law is always just, then we are putting our faith in idols. God's justice is deeper and more powerful than our struggling structures.
Today's brew:
PG Tips - Classic English black tea. Great for cold mornings when I need something softer and more reflective than a coffee.
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