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God bless the people of every nation.

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CNN Presents, George Bush in World War II --yesterday's program. It showed America's 41st president returning to where he was shot down 59 years ago near the Japanese island of ChiChi Jima—an island where several U.S. pilots had been captured or killed during the war. It spoke of Bush's rescue by a U.S. Submarine and the death of the rest of his crewmen who did not make it out of the plane. Although Bush believes that he acted correctly and gave the right order to parachute from the plane, he does mourn the loss of his crewmembers. Bush stated that this experience at age 18 made him more aware of the costs of sending other people's son and daughters to war during his presidency.

The issue this program raised for me came when the past president spoke of reconciliation between himself and the Japanese. During Bush's presidency, the Japanese Emperor Hirohito died. Many in the American government would not go to his funeral because of his past involvement in the war. Bush decided to attend the funeral and spoke not about the past, but the future. It was an act of reconciliation towards Japan. Now, years later, as Bush approached the Island of ChiChi Jima, he placed wreaths in the ocean in remembrance of his lost crew members, and was greeted by Japanese soldiers. Welcomed on to the island, Bush was allowed to raise a ceremonial America flag, and was saluted by a Japanese Admiral--someone who was once considered an enemy. A powerful picture of what Memorial Day means to me.

Memorial Day is more than raising a flag and flying it half-mast. It is more than a moment of silence in remembrance of American soldiers. It is these things, but it is also more. It is more than wearing patriotic clothing, or, knowing all the words to and singing My Country Tis of Thee and God Bless America.

I am hesitant about holidays and events that focus too much on America and Americans. I feel like we are too close to cutting ourselves off from the rest of the world. God Bless America, and forget about the rest of you. Or, in remembrance of past or present battles, letting hatred for other countries--they killed our troops--surface. It is not that I do not support the American military, or that I do not see good in asking God to bless our country. My concern is when this is carried too far. To focus so much on America and our losses that we forget that others have been lost as well. Others who are not American. What do we do to remember these?

What do we use Memorial Day for? Is it a day to rebuild our pride and puff ourselves up, or, a day to work towards reconciliation between countries that we have been fighting either with weapons or language/politically? Do we remember our soldiers only, or those they fought against as well? As a Christian, I think this includes the enemies as well as those we love; enemies of the past or present. Memorial day should be a day of reconciliation as well as remembrance.


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new posts at new location

Most of my new posts are on the new blog, so if you're wanting new posts look there.

Don't change your bookmarks so fast

I'm still not sure about the switch over so don't go and change all your links and such. I guess I just don't know how much blogging is really worth to me. 10 dollers a month, 15 dollers a month, free... What am I really promoting here anyway? Blogging is one of those things that I enjoy doing, so, I put a lot of effort into posts. Yet, no one leaves comments so it's as if I'm rambling off into thin air. OK, so maybe there are 2 people who comment. 1 almost regularly and the other changes from whoever happens upon the blog in a given week. Would anyone really care if I suddenly stopped posting? No, I'm not going to write this elaborate post about how blogging has taken over my life and inhibited real conversations. I'm not going to tell you that I suddenly don't see the value in blogging and that I am quiting it forever--erasing my site and past site. I'm not going to reinstate my political posts just for the sake of comments either. And, no, I'm not going to claim to do something so outrageous as put dreadlocks in my hair either. Although, sometimes that seems to be the only way to get comments out of people.

Possibly making a site change...

So, I've gone and registered with Typepad.com...

Check out the new site and tell me what you think.

Beyond Ordination: Hindrance and Support of Female Clergy in the PC (USA)

Inspired by some conversations at seminary last semester, and upon reading this blog of another female seminarian, I've decided to raise some of my own questions and use this blog as a means of gathering input on the issue.

Women in ministry.

So, it's no big news that women are in ministry. Most denominations recognize women as leaders within the church. Women are even preachers in some denominations. However, the growth of women clergy in the Presbyterian Church (USA), and other denominations, does not mean that the traditional view that men make better clergy has vanished. In my Research Methods class at Austin College, I addressed this issue by writing a proposal for a study I would do if I had the funding and resources. It addressed the concern of the treatment of women clergy throughout their journey towards becoming a minister, their years as ministers, and if they feel supported in their choice of vocation from their friends, family, and church body. I still feel like this is a valuable study and would pursue it if at all possible.

The study looks specifically for hindrances that women clergy have encountered. Do they experience hindrances in ministry beyond the common clerical hindrances, mainly in the area of gender prejudice/conflict stemming from the traditional roles of women, family issues in the area of home and career and the need to balance these or set priorities, and overcoming the tradition that religious leadership is reserved for males? Are there hindrances by the church to start the process of becoming a minister? Do they encounter problems in seminary, finding a church, life in the church? Do they feel like women are encouraged to take part in church leadership? I am interested in specific instances of hindrances and what kind of support the women received—how she was supported, if at all, by her family and congregation.

Other issues would be how men view women clergy and how women react in situations of conflict verses how men do and whether this is a gender issue or personality issue at the core. The list could go on. It's a large and involved issue--and controversial for some.

Basing the study in the Presbyterian Church (USA) many would think this study obsolete, but I would disagree. Yes, the numbers of women clergy are increasing and the numbers of females entering seminaries are increasing, but this does not eliminate past hesitance towards female clergy. Hidden prejudices may exist towards women in ministry even in those that would say they are for women’s ordination. This study would not only pertain to the PC (USA) because it is good for all to be educated on the stance of other denominations so that one can learn from the other.

So, if I’m not going to actually do the research to this project any time soon, in the original proposed form, I thought it would be a venture to see what feed back I received from the blogging world. I am interested to hear your stories and thoughts. Post a comment (you can do so anonymously if you like) or e-mail me.

Texas Music: Buster Jiggs

Went to a free Buster Jiggs concert last night at the Executive Surf Club. It's all about promoting the uprising stars those free concerts. And it worked. For me and my friends at least. We're now fans of BJ. Listen to Buster Jiggs.

Check out Buster Jiggs. Texas Music.