Baptism of Jesus Sunday: bruised reeds and dimly burning wicks

1/11

My only companion as I prepare for Sunday morning is Rachel. I have to tell her I have to prepare.

Baptism of Jesus by Angelo Romano

1/12

Baptism of Jesus Sunday. Rachel wants to help so I send her outside to sweep. I hear the buzzer and it’s Andre, ready to sing. Jeremy arrives soon after and Dion is hard at work getting the sanctuary set up. As we gather, there are four Asian visitors, not quite sure what to make of the service. And a woman visitor, Evelyn, who joins the circle.

Jason and Dion roll our 800 pound florid late Victoriana Tiffany font with its contemporary Occupy basin lid to the front and center of the Sanctuary.

We begin by singing God welcomes all, strangers and friends, God’s love is strong and it never ends…

And I explain that even though Christmas ended on the 12^th day last week, Christmastide extends through today and we’ll go deeper into that later. Today is the last day for our tree.

Next follows the classic Wade in the water, by Jeremy and Andre.

And then we begin our scriptures.  First, Isaiah 42: 1-9.

I ask what words stands out and its no surprise that justice comes first from this circle. And then righteousness.

I first mention this passage:

He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 
³ 

And recall back in Tulsa, Jonathan the street preacher, from the Ultimate Trip Ministry,  who would witness on street corners, strip clubs and synagogues. (As if in his mind they were of the same value.) He enjoyed making  people angry. One day when he hurled a Bible verse my way, I came right back with  He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 
³ 

What I’m really drawn to are these words..

….a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; 
he will faithfully bring forth justice….

When I ask what that means to them,  Cara says Like I said the other night, don’t shoot the wounded.. And of course she is right. I explain how Calvin’s total depravity is a mistranslation. What he really meant was that all of us are marred. Imperfect. And that’s OK.

I point to the baptism  basin crafted by Sheryl and explain how when she made it, there was a crack. And that she accepted whether to fix it or not and decided not to. Because for her, it was symbolic of what this  church does, ie, fix the cracks in the world.  And Cara responds that in Japanese pottery, the cracks are gilded because that’s what makes that pot unique.  All of us, broken reeds, dimly burning wicks. 

Next we do Psalm 29 singing triple alleluias in response. And are drawn to

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; 
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 
⁶   He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, 
and Sirion like a young wild

So the Lord may not break a bruised reed or blow out a dimly burning wick but he can split cedars and make the cosmos skip. And as Dion points out, those dimly burning wicks can be blown on by the Holy Spirit and burst into flame.

Then in Acts 10:34-43, we read that

God shows no partiality, ³⁵but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him

And notice it is every nation, every…God shows no partiality…no American exceptionalism, God does not bless America over and above anyone else…every…anyone who fears…and that fears, is not about fear, being afraid, but of awe…

( I mention the perhaps apocryophyl story of John Wayne in the Greatest Story Ever Told as the Centurion who looks at Jesus  and says, Surely this man was the son of God…and how director Georg Stephens was frustrated with John’s line reading and after several attempts said, John you’ve got to say that with awe….and Wayne responded, Ah, surely this man….)

After Arcadia reads the gospel in Spanish, Andre and Jeremy lead us in take me to the water…

And at last we read the story of Jesus’ baptism in Matthew this year. (3 13-17)I ask who is baptized. Nearly all hands go up. Who remembers? Probably half. Today we seem to have as many former Baptists as former Catholics. Jason was seven and felt a real calling to commitment to his parents wonder and surprise. Are you sure? they said. Dion may have been baptized as a child but chose baptism when for him it became real. Marsha remembers baptism on the banks of a river in south Texas, her brother throwing and skipping stones. Andre explains  full immersion and when I ask him how it was, he says, Wet. 

So why Jesus? John says Because in all ways he was human as well as divine. The reason this ends Christmastide is because Christmas is all about the incarnation. God alive in human flesh. So that when we as bruised reeds or dimly burning wicks talk to God honestly and openly, God can respond Been there….Forget all the debates about sinlessness and all that. This for Jesus is an act of solidarity. Being with us in every way. Being one with us in nature.

I explain how in our tradition we baptize children because we believe salvation is a gift of grace, not earned or a function  of any decision we make. It then somehow becomes , in the popular mind, beyond theology, a kind of spiritual vaccination, a spiritual inoculation. And that after trying to resist godparents out of a theology of collective responsibility, our tradition gave in and now welcomes godparents. 

And that for us, as part if what we believe to be the holy Catholic (IE, universal church) there is only one baptism and we recognize each other’s even though we have not yet recognized each other’s communion.

John and Stephen hold the Occupy basin after I tell its story.  I say the blessings, remembering creation, Noah and the flood, Moses and the parting of the Red Sea, Jesus at the Jordan…and add some drops of Jordan water to the basin. One by one people come up and dip their finger in the water, cross themselves, touch their forehead. Then come to me for the laying on of hands, with oil and the sign of the cross. That is who we are former Baptists, former Catholics, one people, one body.

We finish our service with a rousing Down to the river to pray….

As Andre and Jeremy remain at the piano, Wayne comes over and in his sweet and easy voice, sings his own Ode to Joy.

The Session meets. Approves hosting representatives of the Sikh community in February.  And begins to contemplate all that lies ahead. But first we have a sale and a move to get through.

After the meeting, Wayne and Andre are still deep in conversation about the making of music.

I’ve got Gale Brewer’s inauguration to get to and then a long night of packing.

Almost midnight

5/23

Stephen  and Mitchell and I move the big screen and begin to prepare the space for the Red Bull load in. 

I look up and see Jason from #ows in front of me. He’s back from Atlanta, where he’s been living. Back for an action. And fro planning a reoccupation of Zucotti. Feels like something from the ancient past, not just last year. Stephen quickly hooks him up for working the Red Bull concert while he’s in town. I share with Jason his portrait from Elizabeth Herman (http://www.transtudies.org/Photos_Herman.html#11) and those of his #ows colleagues. He’s impressed. 

I come back late in the day. Angelo’s opening was impressive. he’s got an agent who wants to take his work to a higher level. His agent used to work for wssfsh with Hugo. and is connected with a dentist and a program that uses art sales to provide free dental care for uninsured children and other like the Bowery Mission and Wssfsh. (http://www.wsfssh.org/) Yet another program birthed at West-Park. 

As the sun is fading, I listen to Dzieci in the sanctuary. Tonight in the semi-dark, I hear what sounds like Gregorian or medieval church chant filling the walls. 

Beppe drops in and we go to the Gate to review the Carman Moore concert and organic urban gardening and shamans...When we return, Stephen is playing the piano.  Marc reminds  me that the garbage  has to go out. It’s late . Who can do it? Sergeant Keith and the lost patrol to the rescue. Job finished in a blink of an eye. 

Still a moral  dilemma for me. I know from Reachout  that Keith has housing he can return to. The steps are not a solution for Keith and his platoon. Still it's not bad to have a patrol of loyal Marines at your command, even with post-Afghan PTSD.

I love this, says Beppe. A church, almost midnight. A guy playing  piano, a homeless crew of marines  hard at work. Life. I love this...

Ecclesiastical hangover

5/22

Brief in between stopover at the church. Between the lectionary study and a meeting at the Presbyterian United Nations mission. A common response from colleagues is that yesterday’s interminable Presbytery meting  in the furthest north neighborhood in the Bronx has resulted in ecclesiastical hangover.  Which my friend Mark connects to an uncontrollable desire for Ben and Jerry’s. 

From last night, the Woodlawn section of the Bronx, right on the Yonkers border, feels almost normal in the context of New York City. Small one  family houses with driveways. A sense of space. In an empty Presbyterian Church, we have  established a new Ghanaian congregation. In the whitest neighborhood in the Bronx. A growing home to Irish immigrants.Ghanaians are in the south and west of the Bronx,not the  far northeast. Is this a good idea? The congregation is growing but.....

Stephen has the latest on the Red Bull concert. Later we’ll met with Marc to begin to figure out how to clear the space for the concert next  week. A major undertaking. While we are talking, Angelo appears. he is like a will o' the wisp, or one of his angelitos, to invite me to an opening at a major midtown gallery tomorrow.

I see Deacon James near a coffee cart on 86th. His voice is high and reedy. My voice is changing..at my age!Aint no teenager anymore...And the conversation goes to hassles with the Veterans Administration and chemo and...

There’s an old man. Always wearing a  Fargo hat  even in the warmest of weather. I lean  close. Hear: He  that believeth in me shall not perish but have everlasting life. I say Amen. He looks at me and responds, Amen. And then wanders off. 

Another man walks up, looks the church doors and says  Shit hole, and walks off. Well then.

As the day ends, the Sanctuary choir has gathered in the sanctuary with Jeremy.  I hear them sing what if God was one  of us, with Teresita on the lead. I’ve heard it too many times. But I am happy they are here.

Pack up your sorrows

5/1

Virgin and child by Angelo
On West-Park sanctuary wall

May Day. Too much unsettled. No march for me today.

Stephen and Martin and I go for lunch and conversation. Together something  that looks like a plan emerges. It only requires one minor miracle or two to work. But it’s possible.

Moses parts the waters by Angelo on West-Park sanctuary wall

Just as I’m wondering how to get a message to Angelo, out of nowhere he appears with  woman he says es una mujer muy importante. I don’t catch her name, but she seems to be with the library system. I have to say to Angelo, because of the speed of his speech and his madrileno accent, un poco mas despacio,por favor. Hugo arrives and I introduce them and a conversation about Nicaragua begins. Then Angelo proceeds to hang more paintings. I tell him this makes me happy and that I want the empty spaces filled in. And that I need more light for his paintings. Pero luz cuesta mucho, he says. Mas mejor a donar los pobres. (Light costs much. Better to give the money to the poor.)

I’ve been waiting for this conversation with Hugo for some time now. I trust his analysis of the situation. A former revolutionary and diplomat. And now a housing manager. At his new complex in the Bronx, he’s aware of all the unexpected surprises that push costs up in renovation/reconstruction. 

He cares very much for the congregation. And for me. At what cost a vision? Some have been worn out by the process. You can go on if you see a future, but what is the future? The current snagged negotiations are draining. Most important, we agree, is the community, the sense of being one body. Without that, nothing else matters. Nothing else is possible. We need to speak with each individual and then have a group conversation.

                                                Ethel plays music of the sun

The afternoon continues with the strange, soothing disturbing sounds of Ethel coming from the balcony where they are rehearsing. They love the space. We need to see how to draw them in closer. 

While Ethel is rehearsing, Ted is giving another theater group a tour of the space. There’s no end of interest:  just give me a plan.

As Ethel finishes, a young woman opera singer asks if she can come in and warm up her voice. And soon her voice is filling the sanctuary.

I go down to Marc’s workshop to pick up one of my two guitars.The classical one the reprobate Brazilian minister left at Rachel’s. With the electric pick up. Marc’s craftsmanship  has made them whole again. I need to just play a little.

Anna pops in  several times. She’s concerned about Rachelle’s court appearance regarding her eviction. And has ideas to help. Despite their differences, in the end, Anna is always compassionate. And ready to find solutions.

                                          Richard and Mimi Farina Pack Up Your Sorrows


RL drops in and somehow we find ourselves in a conversation about Richard Farina. Was it the title of his book, Been down so long it looks like up to me? Joan Baez’ brother in law. Married to Mimi. Died in a motorcycle accident the day of his book release party. RL begins If someday you could pack up your sorrows and I respond, ....and give them all to me, you will lose them, I know how to use them,  give them all to me...And RL smiles. And our lingering mental health intervention problem remains unresolved. RL’s consulting his lawyer for me.

Jane drops on right before her counseling appointment, but there’s no time to talk.

As it gets later, two blonds from Milwaukee walk in. They’re here on vacation. The go out to eat and whatever neighborhood they’re in bring the leftovers. Someone told them to come here. Of course. I tell them the Sergeant and his crew will be here soon . Just wait. And they do.

Art,911 and Korean tacos

4/26

Stephen catches me up on his latest work preparing promotional material for our upcoming events.

Martin and I talk once again looking for the elusive solution...

I know that Angelo is waiting for me to look at his art work, but first I have to stop at the bank and pick up some cash. On Broadway, I see Geoffrey, the Prophet. I say, Geoffrey, you left your hat at the church. He says Thank you sir, I know. I will go and get it...

When I get to Angelo’s place, it’s another of those moments. I thought I was going to look at his artwork. When I arrive, he’s got a lobby full of art waiting to go to the church. My Spanish fails me as I try to explain the misunderstanding. I tell him I’ll do my best to get some transportation. 

Cab back to the church. No one with a vehicle is available. Now everything else that was needing to get done set aside. I go to talk with Martin and Stephen. Want Martin to call and explain the situation. Tell him we have to have a plan. We call and there’s no answer. Clearly he’s still on the street waiting. Danielle comes in to tell me Nancy’s here to talk about real estate. Oh man...

I am trying to explain the situation to Nancy when RL walks in. Thanks me about my post on Lord Buckley. And Nancy says, ....the Nazz......Definitely a back story there. Nancy hears me out about Angelo and asks if I want her to come along. Well,uh, sure... So we cab to Angelo’s. 

And he is still there on the street, waiting. We struggle in our various languages, English, Spanish, French. Nancy looks at Angelo’s art and is blown away. The religious art work, the story of Don Quixote, faux Inca, surrealismo... This is classic naif genre, she says. And looking at what he’s done with found objects, and even outsider art.... I’ll tell you what, for a piece of art, I’ll get the van....

And while she hooks up the van, passers by continue to stop and engage Angelo in conversation, taking photographs of him and his art. We see the tree he has decorated. And his 9-11 commemoration. And to every passer by he gives an angelito.

Angelo's 9-11 tribute on 106th St.

Finally the van comes and we head back to the church. I call Stephen and he’s there when we arrive to help unload all the art. Danielle sees it coming in and shakes her head. Martin, too. We put it all in the old medical room to keep it safe. Stephen’s head already spinning as to how to publicize and build on Angelo’s gift. 

While we’re upstairs, a commotion has broken out downstairs. I’m informed the police  are there. And sure enough, a conflict has broken out between two of my people. And 911 has been called. The police are there. They have separated the two people. Different officers are interviewing them both. And a third interviews me. Shortly the chief arrives. Usually we get along and he is supportive, but he’s giving me this You again, I’m tired of this attitude. And I want to say, Dude, if that’s what you feel, how do you think I feel?

Slowly it quiets down. We keep telling one of the characters to leave but she wants to exonerate herself and keeps talking, upping the ante. When the mental health van arrives, she finally leaves. Which is too bad. But I also recall how easy it is to get out of mental illness detention. The system? Sucks.

I sit and talk with the other party. Just listening. The Boston attack has had its collateral effects. So I listen. And listen. 

I’ve had enough. I head to the Gate for mac ‘n’ cheese and Knicks-Celtics. The problem is, when you really relate to mentally ill people, you see the world through their eyes and the have to pull your self back. It’s exhausting. (Knicks up 3-0. Bring out the brooms.)

Back at the church, Stephen and Cara are headed out to eat. At the corner we see Rachelle with her SUV cart. And my heart sinks. How do I deal with this? It’s a cart filled with random trash and out of  date food. But it’s her life. Her mission. To confront her with reality would destroy her. Yet Capital Hall staff has been instructed to turn her away if she shows up with her cart. And she’s now facing eviction in housing court on Tuesday. If you’re evicted from Capital Hall, that’s it. Next stop, the street. 

Korean tacos at Oaxaca. Reminds me of Seattle. The spices dance on your tongue.

Angelitos

4/23

angelito

Anna arrives early with full reports of everyone’s activities the night before and recommendations of what they might need. The Mexican couple seems nice and Keith claims to be an ex-Marine. (Jay  could figure the truth of that out real quick...) She’s also carrying  a device that keeps her laptop from overheating. Again ,her knowledge and resources amazing.

Rachelle looks in, swathed in her layers of black, sees Anna and goes back out. As Stephen  is now that man, Anna is now that woman. 

Martin and I do a daily check-in. I’ve got an agenda for him. 

Angelo comes at his appointed time. Martin here to be my translator, just in case. And to also help get across the vision and mission of West-Park. We know he’s painted the welcoming virgin of Guadeloupe at Heidi’s Trinity Lutheran at 100th. He’s got a great permanent exhibition down the street at SPSA. Good auctions at their opening as well.Although he had not remembered before, being here awakens in him the memory of his exhibition here around 9-10 years ago. he remembers el reverendo brasiliero, namely Regi, who created that cutting edge concert series with El Taller.  

I want him to feel the spirit of this place. He has many stories he wants us to hear. Covers a lot of ground. Crosses many boundaries. I promise to come see his work. 

His special mementos are his angelitos. Hand painted on tile, they are simple. Naif is the PC way to describe his work. There are four colors, each symbolic:  white, purity, purple, wisdom and sprituality; yellow, power; red, energy and strength. They are talisman, with spiritual energy for everyone he encounters..He has now given away over 95000 angelitos. I will go Friday to look at his work. He is a truly one of s kind.   (http://angeloromanonewyork.blogspot.com/) Cara playing piano. Angelo stops and gives her an angelito. He’s got one for Stephen as well before he heads out to  check out prices for various print jobs. 

I run off for an appointment. When I return, Martin and Stephen are in the chapel. Martin and I still looking for the answer we haven’t found yet. 

Rachelle is methodically sorting through her cartload of things..I give Danielle an angelito. RL drops by. We tell him about Angelo and the angelitos. he notices a Mayan symbol for the creator on every angelito. Plans for Harvey's return home are progressing.  I’m waiting for Jamie to go over where we stand in negotiations. She’s already at the B. There will be an angelito for Jamie as well. Still ahead meeting Nate and Andrea to see the Knicks and Celtics then back to finish the day.      

I chose yellow. Power. 

All these angelitos floating around can only help.             

angelitos