iving in coronavirusworld 208: Bars and churches....

 

11/14

yes there is....

and we voted...

Going to the framer’s market, it’s hard to believe it was just a week ago the announcement can that Biden was declared president. A weekly visit here one more marker I’ve created to give structure to the week. And something about food right from the farms that is comforting. 

I spend the afternoon trying to learn new songs for the (now_) open mic at Bar 9. The summer show case is over. Much as I dislike it, I’m taking the directive tofocus on upbeat covers seriously.  And actually enjoying it. Learning a Rubber Soul era Beatles  song and discovering many of these songs are more complex than meets the eye.

In the gathering darkness, I meet my friend Beppe with craft spirits from the farmers’ market. It’s getting colder.  We’re beginning to wonder how we are going handle these outdoor meetings now that the virus is spiking again. Beppe and I share the same feeling. That  March feels like yesterday and last week a year ago.  He too had been pulled out into the streets by the surging wave of joyous people as the news spread. We know we are close to it being over. But thousands of Trump supporters rallied in DC today.  Including Qanons and Proud Boys and who knows who else. And I realize although it’s not objectively true, in Trunpland’s alternate universe it's Black Lives Matter and Antifa striking fear in the hearts of the faithful.  And we continue to be anxious about what happens next.

We the Whole People

Time Square vendor

Times Square

I join my classical music friends for a concert in a rehearsal studio, safely distanced of course. A concert with the timely theme of We the Whole People. (Inspired by a quote from Susan B Anthony: It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. )And only 10 live audience members. To get the subway home, I walk through Times Square, again amazed at how full of life it is…without tourists …apart from the ‘B&T (bridge and tunnel) visitors from the outer boros and Jersey.  City people have made this their own playground. Young women striking sexy poses for their boyfriends with the Times Square lights behind them. 

11/15

in my neighborhood

My Sunday morning routine…when I wake early enough…is a Sunday Times and coffee and a pastry at the Venezuelan Monkey Cup cafe. Early morning. 

My friend Run leads West Park’s virtual service. Moved that he uses my song”Listen” from my new release. (

                                                                     Listen

 He takes the story of the talents and servant in a different direction than we went last Monday in Bible Study. His focus is more on the side of risks we need to take for the sake of the kingdom. And not hiding what you’ve got. It’a small but good group.

My son in Berlin is frustrated by the German spike and its impact on his students.  They had worked for weeks preparing for a concert performance. Families would be allowed to come.  But that was canceled and only live streaming allowed.  He wonders at the logic of it. These students are much less likely to get sick. Why are commercial stores allowed to remain open? And school events canceled? What is essential about headphones or North Face jackets or lamps? Choices. Not always data driven. 

At Stony Point, New York, a tea is being held to honor Rick and Kitty Ufford-Chase, co-directors.  As I watch on ZOOM, I can feel the coolness of the air 40 miles up the Hudson from the city.. That deep fall feel under overcast skies. I can almost taste it as I watch it, having been there. Eleven yeast of creative, groundbreaking ministry brought to a halt by Covid 19.  (And a limited institutional creativity…as I’ve said  vision  and institution are incompatible realties…) The air is heavy with sadness. And yes, for sure, thanksgiving. And even hope.  But what we have loved is gone. As the camera zooms around the circle, I catch sights of places that have meant so much to me. Locked down.  I count the groups I’ve been here with:

the Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing 

The Interfaith Center of New York City Marshall Meyer social justice retreats

the International Sanctuary Declaration project took shape and form here

My own congregation, West Park

The Presbyterian Church USA Central American Task Force initial meeting

Presbyteiran Health Eucation and Welfare Association

That all May Freely Serve’s gathering of 4 decades of friends engaged in the struggle for full inclusion of lgbtq people in the church, to make sure the history was preserved

My friend Zeljko bringing his film about the Serbian Colonel who shot down an American stealth fighter pilot…and both pilots …to speak to a national women’s group..

                                                          Second meeting

I mean I wrote my doctoral dissertation here….many of the meetings were to reimagine and envision a ministry, often with Rick’s help…Rick and Kitty are of course gracious…but as the testimonies die down, the pain cuts really deep.  Much grief here.

I try my new song out at Bar 9. The whole night goes fast because they’ve now declared bars must close by 10. I mean we’re done playing by 8:30. As I play, I keep thinking about watching the Linda Ronstadt movie last night. Realizing her value as perhaps the greatest interpreter of American music of all kinds. And ho when you do it well, the song becomes yours. 

As we finish, the wind picks up, the rain comes down in torrents. My friend texts me: tornado warning! We meet at the Gate anyways as it all dies down. The more we talk about it, the more the 10’oclock rule appears to be a cosmetic compromise gesture with no scientific data informing it. Bars and churches, struggling to hold on.

Living in coronavirusworld 205: Parable of the talents

 

11/10

and we did......

Walking through the neighborhood seeing the election signs.  The ATLAH Christians still seeming to back Trump and dis Biden.

 And ripping gentrification.  We are learning to breathe again but our struggle is far from over.

Tonight’s Bible study focuses on Matthew 25: 14-30. It’s the well known parable of the talents where a man goes away and gives each of his slaves a portion of his wealth. (Each according to their “ability.”) Two out fo the three double their money, the third keeps it safe. When the master (finally) comes back, the first two are rewarded and the third has his taken away and given to the one  who has the most. Not only that, he gets roundly derided and sent into the “outer darkness.” And  his one talent given to the one who had the most. Like the exact opposite of Acts 4: 32-35 where in the early Christian community , it was  from each according to their ability to each according to their need. On first hearing, Marsha responds, Sounds like the  Republican platform. Leila says it speaks to her of the problem of not having money. Russ responds that it is very expensive to be poor. That the “master” in the story sounds more like Gordon Gecko than Jesus. (Greed is good.)  Sherryl responds, God bless the child that’s got his own. And that the  whole thing sounds backwards. As for me, its the kind of passage the makes me want to say, OK, I’m done.I’m out. 

I explain that a talent was a large sum of money…as much as 20 years labor. Perhaps even 1.25 million dollars. And we note that each had been entrusted  according to their ability. So how to blame anyone for the outcome? Trade as an opportunity required risk. The word master is equivalent to Lord. The long time he was away like the delay of the parousia, the coming. 

The root of the word property refers to that which one has proper possession of. And a slave has no possession even of their own bodies

We also note how the phrase, Well done, good and faithful servant, so often used at funerals, has been taken completely out of context.  

Traditionally, this passage has been seen as one which encourages risk taking and  using what God has already given you. It is often seen as an endorsement of bankers and traders. And for liberals,  how important it is to take risks for the gospel. All right so far, but it still doesn’t feel good. 

Next to that as in opposition to Luke 19: 12-27,  we note that none were ordered to trade.  They  took their actions on  themselves. An  alternate reading would be that the one who buried his, as the Talmud instructs,  was the only one protecting his master’s money. Perhaps the only one, who like the wise virgins, (25: 1-13)  actually prepared for his master’s return.  That this parable is placed between the virgins and the sheep and goats. Even if the  other two failed, he master would  still have over a million to start over. The Master is exactly as his salve thought him to be, He seems to believe in living off the labor  of others asa  virtue.He basically says , I take, I steal.  His behavior in response proves the salve right. Faithful in a little? He says? (23) 6.25 million is hardly “a little.” Only the unduly wealthy could see all these talents as “a few things.” Who here Is truly wicked? Truly worthless? It could just as well be the master. 

Glen Gildemstre in Richard Samson’s running commentry Provoking the Gospel,  sees a parallel to Herod Archeleus going to Rome and leaving his brothers in charge of continuing to extract taxes and wealth from the masses. The Jews sent a delegation to Rome  to oppose his rule and when he returned  he slaughtered them. The word “ability” is actually dynamis, power. 

Perhaps the real  message is : Be ready. While you wait, the rich will continue get richer and the poor will be crushed. But there will be an accounting. 

The parable seen so often as defending the status quo is an accurate description of absentee landlords and predatory market capitalism  The one who resists, the third servant, pays a terrible price. 

food ...and community..for the people

Marsha sees the need of those with”little ability” (power) needing to pool their power to be able to resist. When you can’t organize money, organize people. 

Amber Lee still sees the call to utilize your talents, not walk away form them. Talents are not only money but  metaphorically …and literally….talents. And unity through unions., for example. 

Sherryl sees it like other Jesus commands like pick up your bed and walk,. Take responsibility. 

Marsha wonders if Jesus might be messing with them. But then says at end of the day he is inevitably on his way to the cross. And we need take his words in that context. 

We are left wondering who the unsung heroes of the story are. 

the strategy

11/10

The weather stays sunny. The President refuses to concede. I share my music with the Inspired Word virtual  gathering. And make it to the Cantina just before closing. The manager has been waiting for me wondering  where I was. Has my taco order ready to go and a margarita at happy hour prices just because I’m a regular. 

We do these things to order our lives in these unstrung times. 

Matthew 25:14-30

New Revised Standard Version

The Parable of the Talents

14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents,[a] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

)

The parable of the talents, community, regentrification

9/12

I  venture into the boiler room to see what needs to be removed before work can begin. There are tables and chairs, an old tool chest, a snow blower, paint cans, empty oil cans...pretty scary. It’s all got to go before the work can begin. Who’s going to do that? The Halloween decorations need to be removed. And there are all these boxes of invitation cards to be mailed out for the benefit...daunting.

9/13

The first person to arrive is an Asian woman visiting from the neighborhood. And a psychotherapist who has heard me speak at workshops sponsored by the Institute on Psychotherapy and Spirituality. Where are my people?

A young man approaches me. It’s William. He grew up in the church. Spent years in the gym with Rudy. His mom was the first I ever did last rites for. His grandmother Norma lives right around the corner on 87th. Little sister living with an aunt in Teaneck. Big sister back form the service in Virginia. He’s on the gymnast/acrobat spirit team for the New Jersey Nets and waiting for the lockout to end. If there’s no agreement by Christmas, ther’ll be no NBA season. He’s working at a gym in Harlem. Come by to see how everyone is. But everyone’s not there. Well,yet. We talk. He’ll be back later. But as I was afraid, that was his visit for today.

Eventually the folks arrive. Amy’s stuck on the 59th Street Bridge. Andre not there. As Hope takes the children for Sunday School, I lead a conversation on Matthew 25 where Jesus tells the parable of the talents. You know, the  master gives them talents, one doubles his five, the other his two and one poor guy out of fear just buries his and winds up being tossed into outer darkness,the weeping and wailing and gnashing  of teeth place. Two get called good and faithful servants, one wicked and worthless. Should’ve invested it with a banker. (Obviously from pre Ocuppy...era.)

We talk about it.  It’s about use it or lose it, says Kamini. It’s about using what you have for the good of others, says Arcadia. I explain that traditonally, it’s understood to be about indeed, using what God has given you. Someone says it’s about not being afraid.  

Some of my clergy friends take another point if view. The idea that you take from the one who has one and give to the one who has ten doesn’t sound like the God we’re supposed to know, doesn’t sound like God’s economy. Especially not the casting out part. Maybe Jesus goes out wth the one which is cast out. But Marsha disagrees. No, she says, maybe God is saying that’s the way it is. It’s not going to change. That’s the way of the world. Rememeber who wrote that, a tax collector. 

It is true. There are white papers that say that we need to rebuild the (presbyterian) establishment. That those who have succeeded should get to decide. That small churches should be closed. Their buildings sold. The proceeds go to the ones who know what to do with money. The tall steeples. Well, the one percent. 

Eugene Peterson says that its about the willingness to take chances, risks. That the one who risked it all is the one who is rewarded and the play-it-safe, the one who won’t go out on a limb is the one who is cast out. I know now which is the story for us. Becasue we have gone out on a limb with this boiler contract. Hell, we went out on a limb with this whole project. We have, almost literally, risked it all. 

Well, so as part of our worship, our liturgy, remembering that laiturgia meant work of the people, we do work, putting labels on the cards for our gala event. As the work goes on, there is laughter, which pleases me.  And I’m playing some of David Bailey’s music in the background, that singer song writer who died too young from brain cancer.

Later, I get a box of Joe and a dozen donuts at Dunkin’ Donuts and we meet with representatives of Trinity Grace Church, who, too, are looking for space. As near as I can tell, they are one of the non-denomiantional, emergent, missional churches with open evangelical roots. How woud we live together? There seems to be  an opennness. They seem to have a serious commitment to social justice. 

Our conversation related to Jane and the Sanctuary community continues as well. And we’re still pasting labels on cards. Luis and I go down to check out the basement.  He will put together a team to clear the boiler room.  It’s time for me to go to the istallation for my former intern Chris at Broadway.

When I get back, I’m pleased to see a good crowd has gathered for the screening of Josh  Pais’ movie, 7th Street, the story of his home street in Alphabet City, el loaisaia, the East Village. But it’s the story of most of our neighborhoods. From Jewish immigrant community to the projects to the sixties to the squats to the crack epidemic to regentrification. We been there. Or are going there.  The drug dealers were gone but now there were real estae dealers....

And the old sense of multi-cultural, eccentric, accepting  urban community is gone. And maybe there’s a hint there why some of our friends were upset by what they called making a deal with a developer.  

Josh himself is there. Star of Law & Order and Sex in the City, not to mention Raphael in Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turtles. And it’s an interesting crowd, including many from the old neighborhood itself.  The discussion about urban living, how to bring safety to neighorhoods without driving out their people...and as Andrea pointed out, the privileges educationally and otherwise that Josh’s friends did not have.  This dialogue, this exploration is what the center is all about. Even at this time of vulnerability, it exists already. 

Katherine’s film series, Divided We Fall, Forgiveness and Seventh Street, well done.