Eviction day

Note:  I'm publishing this on the blog even though its not on the steps because I can't get it onto facebook today....

11/16

A week ago we went down to Zucotti. Missed Crosby and Nash by about an hour. My friend from the west was put off by the row of panhandlers holding down the west side of the park. I said tha it was inevitable, she was still disappointed. The knock off t-shirt and button sales likewise the unavoidable seeds and stems end of capitalism that’s probably been there since the beginning of time. Wherever two or three are gathered... someone’s going to try and sell something. Nevertheless, there was a sense of frayed edges. The spirit of whimsy and play still shone through in the growing “Occupy Legoland” being built on the north edge of the park. And inside we found a a friendly young artist giving away his art..maps of the US, New York City made up of words. And the same Hyde Park debates about economics continued here and there....

occupy legoland

And then when I woke up this morning, I found a text time-stamped 2:47 AM telling me the Park was in process of being dismantled. To get down there. But it was already too late. So we gathered at what has been the home for the faiuth community in this occupation, Judson Memorial. 

There was a general sense of confusion. Information changing by the minute via text and Twitter. But the conversation was good. We noted the cynical blaming of the presence of poor people and people with serious mental illness as an excuse for eviction. Of course, anyhwere there is free food and shelter those without resources will be drawn. The fault was not an endemic failing of Occupy but an indictment of a system and culture that forces people to the margins and leaves them there. And we as clergy have to keep that issue in front of our awareness.

Judson minister Michael Ellick, who has been close to the Occupation, said that the kitchen had been on the verge of collapse with no cooking facilitites and an overwhelming demand for food. 

There is also growing awareness (since confirmed by the  mayor of Oakland)  that there had been a coordinated effort of mayors across the country to clear the Occupations. Tactics were similar, the perfunctory warning, the klieg lights, the knifing of tents and trampling over personal property. And arrests. It was as if a Tiennaman Square moment had been reached. KInder, gentler, perhaps but there it was.  This collective pushback a sign that Occupy had begun to cause some serious concern. 

Debate swirled over what to do. “Don’t we need a list of demands?” a civil rights vetreran and longtime activist wanted to know. Rev. Ellick opposed  that idea explaining how he got what the movement was trying  to do by resisting codified demands. It’s so plain, every other protest we’ve been involved in hisotrically was to end this war, change that law, all within what exists. This time its different. It’s a call for a whole reboot. The whole thing is broken and has to be redone. No incremental change, no new millonaire’s tax can fix it. That’s what the growing intuition is saying. No wonder the authorities had had enough.

What to do? Apparently some had gone to Foley Square. There was a temporary court order allowing people back. But a hearing would be held at 11:30 am. Housing was being sought at churches for evictees.  Word had come of a new occupation at Duarte Park at 6th and Canal with an “interfaith presence” already there. Some would go there immediately. Others remain behind to strategize. 

Out on the steps I saw Father Daniel Berrigan, still alive, still present. Just like the planned Sunday visit of former Civil Rights leaders, torches being passed.

At Duarte, a crowd has gathered. Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhist clergy in a line. Longtime activist Father Paul Mayer from East Orange, New Jersey is speaking. Wearing a collar and a stole. Recalling Dr. King. A wild afroed man is nearby ranting. “How do you know he’s dead?” and when Father Mayer speaks of canonizing, the wild man says, “Cannibalize, cannibalize” .When he tries to yell out about Malcolm X, a large tattooed shaved head white guy moves him away. At least so far we have avoided an Altamont moment. 

Father Mayer

As Father Mayer finishes, an intense  crew cut young man in a suit and sneakers takes the (peoples’) mike. Explains that this move here was planned long before the eviction. That this was Trinity (Episcopal) Church property. (Trinity the invisible landlord of much of Wall Street.) He says that they are an ally. But that it will be better to act and occupy and then seek forgiveness than seek permission. He’s going to lead an invasion into the  fenced in construction site. 

Over the fence he goes and then more going over. When a critical mass is reached, they work a hole in the fence and eventually force open the gates. There is uncertainty. Some want to wait for the court order and return to Zucotti. The medics won’t go in. A very distraught young man says “No one in Occupy Wall Street has authorized this...we never voted...we...” But the crowd pours in. With symbolic houses, a giant Statue of Liberty puppet. And even the “Grannies for Peace” decide to go in. 

Lady Liberty Puppet

The seeming leader gets up in the face of one guy with a cell phone camera. “Cops out, no cops” he shouts. And someone else yells “Can’t the NYPD afford something better than an old Blackberry?” 

Some entering in. Some drumming. Many waiting. No idea where this is headed. 

Ready for the boiler work to begin

11/14

Get up. Go to the church. Let in  three youg actors, Craig, Michael and Gina. They’ll be performing the West-Park play for our non-gala benefit on December 5th. I work in my office as I listen to them rehearse in the sanctuary....

When I come back to the church, Lilly and Alma are clearing out the Halloween decorations. Luis is in charge of clearing out the old boiler room. This room by room process is excruciatingly slow, but every project takes us one step closer. Luis is a stalwart, project after project he has stepped up and quietly taken control, done the physical things that I can’t right now. He’s got his own history...his time of political activism, part of the squatters' movement back in the day. Marrying into the clan, father, now grandfather. Lived through the days when Iglesia Presbiteriana de West-Park was Cuban and South American dominated, neoricans not quite fully accepted. But five generations in this church. Sunday afternoons in the park watching the West-Park Angels softball team. His nephew Stephen shows up to lend a hand. Luis, that quiet strength, helps keep me going. 

Danielle and I preview the week ahead. Check out the basement. We’ll have to give up the old speakeasy space for the winter to store things there. We’re ready for the boiler work to begin.

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. 

Thanks, a breath and an opening

11/11

The good news is that last night we raised over $12,000 for the boiler.  Bad news is we’ve got $22,000 more to go. But there was so much support there. Jane spoke of our growing partnership, Elise of the support of our neighborhood clergy. Councilmember Brewer of her commitment. The Landmarks Conservancy of their involvement in managing the project. Democrat District Leader Cynthia Doty of our leadership in the Interfaith Assembly and work with the homelss people of the city. Peter Selwen, author of an architectural history of the neighborhood, and a constant friend throughout this project, of the creativity needed to keep going. Urban journalist and author Roberta Gratz of the reality of how long a project can take, sharing her experience with the Eldridge Street Synagogue. And person after person standing up to pledge. So, we pause to give thanks, take a breath, and then....

Chris the boiler man has been by. We’ve got to get the room cleaned out, ready for the work to begin next week. We’ve also got logistical problems with the temporary heater.  


A long phone call with former music director Larry Woodard. He's looking for a space for performances by Opera Ebony and is breath taken to learn we're back in the building and open and living again.  And I recall the performances of Opera Ebony we hosted back in the day. And remembered how they were the place where African-American opera performers could come and be a place whee their musical visions cold be lived out. Would love to have them back again. 


And Ji Young and Miranda are back again. On their way for new shoes for Miranda.

The new gallery exhibit, Frag opens.  Three young artists, Lauren Brick, Max Guy and Benjamin Horns cursted by Vincent Tiley. A disquieting examination of personal and social feelings of isolation and the uncanny...., so says Tiley’s curatorial statement. about the seven visual echibits and looping video in the quiet of the chapel. As is, says Sarah. 

Again, artists and young adults sharing wine, conversation. And again, probably most from Brooklyn. Artists sharing their interest in bringing their own works here.  I give a young conceptual artist the whole tour. Her eyes grow wide with excitement as she imagines what she could do. 

Our own members Berik and Leila are developing their own ideas. Their creativity had filled the walls of McAlpin during our centennial weekend and concerts before the Woodshed folks moved in. 

Sarah’s father comes in fresh from a full day and filled with questions about the church, the center, time travel, Jewish origins and...And I think as I listen to the conversations thinking that this is exactly what we’re here for. The conversation will continue. 

Today we signed the contract for a new boiler

11/8

We’re counting the checks, doing the math, closing in on the boiler decision....Jane comes by for extended conversation on the developing relationship between her Sanctuary congregation and West- Park. Trying to put more details into the Center vision of partners sharing values and a commitment to intentional collaboration where circles intersect and at that intersection something new happens. It’s not about renting to a tenant....Lisa Semple comes by to go over final details for the upcoming fundraiser across the street at the Belnord, that effort to get all the funds needed for the boiler.  And to be sure to bring cards for the December gala benefit.

11/9

Walking up Amsterdam, at the church, I run into Sarah and her father visiting from Denver. Along with Jerika and Sarah’s business partner Jacob and Danielle, they’ve been getting everything ready for the opeing of our next gallery show, Frag, on Friday night .  On the way to Stony Point to connect with Rick Ufford-Chase on further developing a partnership around the arts and social justice. 

11/10

Amanda and I wait on the steps to meet with Sara and put more plans into place regarding the creative end of the gala event. Activities, events, explorations throughout the building. Amanda working on a concept for a night of mini-set concerts in the chapel.

BUT the big news is, today we turned over the check and signed a contract for the boiler. Stepping out in faith. Alea iacta est.  Tonight I will walk across the street, face a crowd of   neighbors, activists, politicians, clergy friends, and tell them all about the Center vision and then that we have made the commitment. And we have done so because we believe that the community will support us and see the project through. It will succeed. 

Be prepared

11/5

Showing Amanda all that’s changed since the last time she was here...Sarah’s great signs all around the outside, the new sound system, the painted bathrooms....

11/6

Things need to be rearranged after the symphony concert. Need to move the piano back and bring the communion table back to the center of the sanctuary. And I can’t do that by myself.  When John arrives, we’re able to get things set up. And then wait for the people to come. 

One of those days where I wonder why I’m there. Where I have to breathe, suck it up and keep going. There is a woman I haven’t seen before. There with her children. Turns out she grew up in this church, years ago. Glad that she is here.

I ask if anyone had  ever been a boyscout?  Well, no one raises their hand. What was their motto?:  Be prepared. ...always made me wonder, ...prepared for what? Any and all circumstances?  When I was a little kid, we worrried about nuclear bomb attacks. We had a fall out shelter in our school. We only went down there twice, once for a drill and another time when someone got  sick and threw  up in the  classroom. In highschool, we just practiced getting under our desks. The old duck and cover. Never seemed to me like that would help a whole lot. We even had a fall out shelter at home. Our fruit cellar. My dad filled it with stacks of canned food and water.  

How else do we get prepared? Save money for a rainy day? Insurance is another way, (though it doesn’t help when your company goes bankrupt.) You can’t drive without a spare tire. You have to do your homework.Thinking of school, remember pop quizzes? You never knew when one would hit. Lifesaving equipment. First aid kits...all about being prepared...

So we have this story in Matthew 25. Jesus.. Talking about wise and foolish virgins.. They used this parable  in 17th convents to indoctrinate novices. Jonathan Edwards preached a nine part sermon series on this passage and what it means to women’s responsibilities. 

A story about a strange bridegroom who comes without warning..

Some have oil, others do not..,(.we know all about that now....we have to keep making trips to buy diesel for heat....) A bridegroom and a pop quiz. 

How about the preacher Harold Camping who thought world would end back in May...Revised to October. 21st..still didn’t end...

It’s just frankly not something I worry about...

Back in Jesus day, they thought he’d be coming back at any moment so you had to be prepared...And I could go all apocalyptic and make that point today...But I think the issue really is....

What if he came here this morning? What would he find? Anyone here to greet him? An unconditional welcome? The love of God reflected in our faces? We don’t do this out of fear....not God’s gonna getcha if you don’t watch out...but out if a commitment to a way of living, ..of who were going to be...(All this getting ready...it’s  almost like an early  Advent piece here...just like the stores...from Halloween to Chritstmas..)

Do you remember Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing?.The film begins and ends with the same words...wake up

I don’t want us to worry about Jesus’ coming back....I do want us to be wide awake...alert to all that’s going on around us...alert and aware that serious questoons are being  raised at every level of church and society..I don’t claim to have the answers ...but we have to be part of the conversation...that’s what today is about. 

We share our communion. The Session meets and explores further the relationship with Jane and Sanctuary. And plans to move the boiler project along. We’re almost there. 

11/7

Danielle tells me that Boxer Mike told her that the doors to the church had been left open and a computer almost stolen...Quick pass through before meeting with Marsha and Harris our attorney and representatives of two building coops to discuss possible air rights lease. And then to SPSA for the Dos Pueblos Nicaragua solidarity event. Which would’ve been at West-Park, except for the boiler. 

Bringing it back from seed

11/4

Jane drops by for a very serious discussion re boilers and donors and strategies and what’s possible. Hope appears and we broaden the discussion to our interaction and collaboration. But any way you cut it, we’re at crunch time. We pull this off or its over. Negotiation is not pressure, but it is business....

Ji Young and Miranda are in. Looking for a way to help her even in a time of low funds. Seeing if we could work out a short term agreement for her to help us out here...

Out on the steps, the man I will never hear from again, left some serious remembrance. Thankfully a layer of cardboard  makes it easier to deal wirh. All the rest, pillows and blankets and all, to the trash. No choice now. 

Tonight the Riverside Symphony is performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto #1 (performed by Victoria Schwartzman). One of the cellists arrives. Asks me if I work here. I say yes. It’s sad, she says. How so? I ask. Everything’s going to seed, she says. Actually,I say, we’re bringing it back from seed. Step by step, inch by inch. I point out  the water leaks we’ve fixed, the newly painted bathrooms. She still seems a bit skeptical. 

Concert draws a good crowd. Not like ..Winged Victory...but still a good crowd. A more typical Upperwest Side crowd.  Older. A bit more staid. I’m sad that Ephraim didn’t think we had a good space for an after concert party. We could’ve done that. The concert is once again proof of what you can find in New York right in your own neighborhood.  I enjoyed the darkness of Sibelius’ Pelleas and Melisande and the sparkling of Mendelssohn’s piano concerto. 

Among the crowd is Shirley from Peace Action and other older activists, other parents who shared PS 87 with us. A couple from Hoboken wants to know more so I take their  names. And a couople from the Belnord wants to help with next Thursday’s boiler fundraiser there. 

Sometimes, i feel it’s not just going to seed, but that all that’s left is seeds and stems. Tonight I feel lonely as I lock up.