Living in Coronavirusworld 241: One day closer

 

1/17

What we need

Our ZOOM meeting with my mother in her assisted care facility is filled with tech issues. My mom's been left with only "speaker view" so she can't understand why people keep disappearing. Explaining is not easy. The transcript would be an entertaining slice of Coronavirusworld life one act.  My niece, a middle school principle in Ohio, says "So now you know what it's like trying. to teach these days."

The Gate has added outdoor heaters, like more and more restaurants every day. But heated tables are in high demand so my friend and I are luck to get an unheated table at the corner. Where the wind whips around. I stick with Jameson's but she goes with a hot toddy. And a shepherd's pie for me  to keep warm. We can make it just about an hour in this weather.  When I go in to pay the bill, owner Paul is happy for our loyalty. Shots are shared.

1/18

Coffee, pastry and Sunday Times at my favorite Venezuelan cafe. But the wind keeps rustling my paper and cooling my coffee so its a short visit. 

As our family gathers for its weekly international ZOOM meeting, we all struggle to come to terms with our current covid reality. Two of us here in New York, teachers, are scheduled for vaccines. My son in Berlin is especially confounded as the country that seemed to have it all under control and was seemingly a model response now seems to be completely at a loss as to what to do as numbers pass New York City and percentages near American levels and a new lockdown in effect.  Teachers have all but given up.

waiting for the vaccine

First day of vaccinations at Wadleigh High School across the street from me. People lined up around the block. Like the voting lines. 

Late afternoon, as the sun goes down, we walk to the Israeli cafe for coffee. There is some anxiety around the lack of ventilation in the outdoor seating area. So we don't stay long. We walk in the dark to Central Park to see if the floating tree in the Harlem Meer is still lighted. The tree is still there. But now dark.

1/19

Martin Luther King, Jr. day

Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Tonight we cancel our Bible Study because the New York City Presbytery is holding a (virtual) Rosa Parks/Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration service. Music from a Black church in Harlem and a Korean church on Queens, A preacher from Detroit. The sharing of communion, each in our own place.  On this King day, in this year, on the cusp of the exit of a disgraced President and the inauguration of a new one, there is a special resonance to the vision of a Beloved Community. Dr.King's radical vision needs to be reclaimed from the effort to take the hard economic analysis out of his witness. He was ready to take on, to name, the predatory consuming nature of capitalism. Beyond identity politics, the progressive political constituency needs to bring the class issue back into focus in the years ahead.

1/20

Donald Trump's last day in office. We are on the verge of the change. My friend Steve comes up for coffee. We sit in the cafe's patio and review these last 4 years. Wondering how we can begin to overcome the gaps between two countries. There is a growing awareness that significant portions of our religious communities sold their souls in support of a nativist authoritarian politics. Both orthodox Judaism and evangelical Christianity have much to answer for. 

I spend three hours trying to find an appointment for a vaccination, all to no avail.

The President elect hosts a ceremony with 400 lights to commemorate the now more than 400,000 deaths from Covid. Repeat that number...400,000 fellow citizens, fellow Americans. Dead. More than World War II. The lights glow next to the reflecting pool. On into the darkness. 

Living in coronavirusworld 220: Matthew 25 Church

 12/1

House across from Morningside

The beginning of our virtual Presbytery meeting is taken up with  more than usual technical hassles getting people into the room and connected. So it is. But once underway, it picks up its own flow and goes smoothly apart form the random interruptions that come from  people not muting themselves sometimes at awkward, annoying and even amusing moments. 

There is no denying the impact of Covid on the life of Presbytery. Even before Covid, membership had fallen by 9%. Only 70% of congregations were paying per capita. Since Covid, only 40% have paid their per capita, reflecting the congregations’ own financial crisis due to loss of income.  

Some congregations have handled the crisis well, however, making creative use of streaming worship services and events. Covenant Congregation, for example, has become a truly international congregation that now has a 2AM Bible Study to accommodate cross ocean participants. 

Our special guest is Rick Ufford-Chase, up until recently Co-Director of Stony Point Conference Center. Rick shares his reflections on the future church. He tells how they had come up with the Matthew 25 initiative that is now gaining traction in the church. Of the  three periscopes that make up the chapter, he’s most drawn to the third,  the judgment of the nations. It calls us to both stand with those who are marginalized, excluded and oppressed and also to introspection as well. Very specifically he sees the church called to:

* nurture vital congregations

* dismantle systemic racism 

* bring an end to poverty

He has come to see the second pericope as badly misunderstood. Christians in Latin America helped him to see that far from a parable about the Kingdom of God, the parable is actually an accurate description of who multinational corporations are. When it speaks of the third slave as being afraid, the slave was afraid of becoming like the master. Jesus came to bring about new rules. We must ask ourselves what are we called to do? What is our capacity? And do what we can do in a way that would be pleasing to God.We must use our power and privilege when called upon by people who are at risk on their behalf. And the church’s mission, to be legitimate, must take seriously and act concretely towards reparations. Nothing else is valid.

Santa

Snowmen

Mike Geffner’s Inspired Word  World (virtual) open mic grows by leaps and bounds every week. The schedule falls two hours behind and somehow I get flustered and forget words to my own songs. That is embarrassing and upsetting.Over and over again this world demands  patience. 

Living in coronavirusworld 65: Staring into the abyss

5/26

The Garden is ready...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

I like that the woman who runs the local laundromat calls me “joven”…Spanish for young one…even though I’m sure I’m older than her. I guess if you're the dona, and jefe, of la lavandaria local you can call anybody what you want. They've  been an essential business from the start.

In the park I saw a woman taking serious boxing lessons, a police car and a one armed man.

I finally stop to realize  that’s Washington and Lafayette hanging out near Morningside Park.

Washington and Lafayette hanging out in Harlem

A work by M.Bartholdi, famous for the Statue of Liberty,was commissioned by newspaper magnate Joseph Pulitzer.  The original is in Paris and in 1900, C.B.Rouss commissioned a copy for New York City. Now the two are all but forgotten and no one knows this little plot of land is Lafayette Square. We learn things like this in this coronavirusworld.  I feel they should be wearing masks.

Luigi’s Garden looks ready for visitors. 

What stories this guy could tell....

The Presbytery of New York City Cabinet meets to hear a lengthy report from its Emergency Response Team. They are responding to then Governor’s ok for meetings with 10 people or less and the President’s  demand that churches reopen. While public health and safety are the major concern, another driving force is insurance and liability. Presbytery is greatly concerned that if the churches are open and someone contracts the virus and perhaps even dies, Presbytery will be included in the lawsuit.  After reading the checklist, it becomes readily apparent that few if any churches could actually meet the stringent requirements any time soon. The committee reports on how many institutions have already determined there can be no public meetings until at least January.       

As that reality sinks in, we begin to look at other realities. Over half of our 100 churches do not have installed pastors.  Of the other 50, 32 can not even afford supply preachers. To make matters worse, we are not just talking worship services. We are talking opening the church for any reason, including rentals. Without income from renters, many churches that have been teetering on the brink will go over and under. All the talk about finding new ways to be church, and seeking mergers and regional churches, fine ideas in the long  term, do not help us deal  with the reality that many of our churches will not survive the virus. Cabinet members begin to share the conversation that are being  directed towards them. Anxious phone calls from anxious church reps, Pastors and elders.  The common theme is, if we can’t open up now, we are finished. We feel like we are on the edge of the cliff, staring                                                             into the abyss, wind in our faces.  The near future is painful to contemplate.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Chim, chimney Chim, chimney Chim, chim, cher-ee…

1/30

It’s been a long, cold, slow week. The continued frigid weather slows things down. Keeps us inside. Hunkered down, so to speak. Desiring hibernation. My own fatigue and virus doesn’t help as I just want to stay under the covers.

Tuesday there’s little time spent in the office on the way  to the Presbytery meeting in Harlem. Good to go to a meeting for once where West-Park is not at risk. Our business this time involves presenting an overture to our national General Assembly this summer on a study of  current US drug policy and how it impacts people of color and those of low income.  We also have an action on Marriage Equality. A lot of congregations have endorsed the right of a clergy person to perform marriages as their conscience allows in states where the law permits it. West-Park wanted to go further, and strike those words, where the law permits …Civil law should not determine our ecclesiastical law. It’s either right or not. My colleagues should not remain vulnerable to charges while I can perform any marriage I feel called to perform.

The ensuing debate was a bit odd. Many speakers began by saying of course they agreed, but…. Our version attracted some conservatives who liked it’s either/or and separation of church/state character. One African-American pastor reminded us of how marriage had been stolen from their historic community. Finally liberal gradualism and political expedience won out and our offering was defeated. The qualified motion passed by a large margin. (Like West-Park’s last victory…)

RL and I spend a frustrating hour trying to figure out why the boiler isn’t working. It keeps looking  like something simple.

Noche is hard at work when the boiler clearly is no longer working. Danielle puts out the call for help and boiler people soon arrive. Pat O has come by to continue work on developing a critical analysis of current options and an alternative plan. Excel spreadsheets, color coded and all.

A long and frustrating boiler day.  It’s on and off three times. Danielle reports a scary early morning flaming blow back. When it’s  working, it’s like a mechanical system on crack. Manic and hyper. Ready to do harm. New radiator leaks. Steaming pipes. The boiler people seem befuddled and each further complicated effort seems to take us further from solution. The want us to invest in a new radiator. Bring in a chimney sweep. I tell Danielle to google Chim, chimney Chim, chimney Chim, chim, cher-ee…

Session is working in seriously evaluating  options while I’m running around with boiler people. It’s like on Apple care when you start with a simple enough problem and 45 minutes later they want you uninstall everything on your computer…Something wrong here….all of this taking me back to the winter of no heat, back when we first began...the 

Meanwhile in the sanctuary, the voices of Mario’s singers conjure fields and late night gatherings down south….even as I notice so many different global accents… I notice some Dzieci have joined in. I see this emerging community and wonder again how we can interrelate, collaborate…plant something that can grow…

No choice...

10/8

The first of two big days. Tonight is the meeting of the Presbytery General Cabinet, the equivalent of an executive committee. The group that is responsible for setting the agenda for the next meeting.    

After a lot of conversation, we have already decided against trying for a special called meeting to deal with this issue.  The politics just don’t add up. Dangers outweigh possibility.  So instead, our goal is to get us back n ht agenda for the November meeting hoping that we can do outreach and education to change the count in  the meantime. Old school community organizing again. When the going gets tough, that's all there is. 

As much as it galls  me to even go down these roads, we have no choice.   So much work to be done....

Say one for me

10/3

Still feeling good from last night’s game. And a lectionary meeting where my friends are expressing support. Nadine, too, was in the same state of shock Mark was last night. If she had known, she would have stayed to vote. I’ve heard that from more than the three votes we lost by.

At the study, I had a call from Stephen. Important meeting with our potential partner. Joe and gang were on the steps. Sean back on the sidewalk, halfway into pedestrian traffic. All gone by the time I get there.

Off to an eye appointment with no idea how I’m going to pay. Yes, chaos.

Stephen tells me that Joe cursed him out and that he told Joe next time he saw him it would be 9-11 to which Joe replied, whatever. 

When I get back, Chris has come looking for mail. He’s looking good. His new place working out. Something actually worked. 

Big David in looking for RL. Who soon arrives. Tell him he’s just missed Chris. He smiles an enigmatic smile. 

Cara arrives for flamenco. Does some sweeping, which she hasn’t been able to do for awhile. She’s missed it. Stephen tells me he ran into Joe on the subway. he apologized. Said he was wrong.Held out his hand. Stephen shook it. Said, we’re good. 

I check my e-mail. A devastating message from a presbytery friend. Depleted social capital. Suspicion. We’re not responsible. Waste resources. Could we go back to square one? Won’t have the votes. Will just anger people. It’s pretty depressing. I have to wonder who she has been talking to. Her email has disheartened others.

Session members arrive. Feeling up. Until they read the e-mails. Stephen has more bad news. The approved lease will still have to get Supreme Court approval. Didn’t see that coming. Have to play this very carefully. After thinking we had a clear strategy, back to examining all options again. Thinking about our secular political friends like soon to be Manhattan Borough President Brewer. We must pull out all stops. We end determined. But I feel soul weary.

While Stephen runs a download, Cara does a more thorough sweeping including 86th street and Sean’s debris. Joe and gang arriving. We exchange greetings. 

Stephen and Cara wait on the steps as I go in search of a slice. Too late. Have to settle for a bodega meat pie. I remember the silent woman sitting in the church and praying for hours. Say one for me, I wanted to say,  say one for me.

One or done. Omen?

10/1

And it is now October. And it is very hard to get up in the morning.

Stephen and I are returning from our meeting with the new Presbytery staff, Exec Bob and Stated Clerk Andy. First day on the job. Bob impressed me on Saturday. Even though important business was going on, when  he saw Marsha and I walk out, he immediately came out to see what he could do. Starting by just being present.

Bob and Andy give us good time.Listen to our story. Go through all the possible scenarios.  Andy is fulfilling the promise I saw when I served on the committee that hired him for stated clerk. He was the only one who for me gave a fully integrated answer to my question about the underlying reformed theology of our polity and ecclesiology. And he comes through with clear and cogent advice, both legally and politically.

Stephen is a real asset in these situations. He thinks well on his feet. Tells his personal West-Park story well. And is soon bursting with creative thoughts. We left on a high, especially when he gave me an impromptu sales pitch for about 15 minutes on a Barnard bench. Convinced me. 

As we get off the bus and approach West-Park, he’s saying that he sometimes misses the Catholic world where a bishop simply says something and it is. As we are passing him, Marty looks up and says, Afternoon, father and Stephen laughs and says, Well you got one.

Back in the church, Danielle is working with the young Spanish girl she is teaching English. It warms me to see her carefully, caringly working with her. 

Glen comes in with two of the young women from his last show. They have their own idea they want to pursue and soon they are exploring  all over the church just trying to find the right place for what they want to do. Glen will help them prepare a proposal.

Evan comes in at last with the proceeds  of his last show. He’s dressed up, looking good. Just worked a fundraiser. 

I’m feeling OK. I’ll head uptown to watch the Pirates' one or done playoff with my friend, with West-Park’s friend, Mark K from the UN. Pittsburgh guys need to be together at times like this.  And they do win. I choose to take this as an omen.