[Magdalen] Prayer request -- too long, but needed to write it

[Jo Craddock]

My parish is an old parish with a proud history. Some might even say 
prideful. But, it is changing. And, some don't like that.

So, a small minority of niche attendees (i.e., only "their" service, 
only "their" ladies groups, rarely or never seen at a potluck or Sunday 
School class) are charging back, as they believe is their duty. And, it 
probably is. Change is not always right or good, and should be examined 
and studied -- in the light of the Gospel. And, besides: their 
grandmothers gave that incandescent bulb to the church in 1910, and 
there's no freakin' reason we need LED, you liberal, pinko, commie scum.

Our rector has conducted same-sex blessings, and is prepared to open the 
sacrament of marriage equally -- in line with current requirements for 
holy matrimony at our parish -- with the approval (expected) of our 
bishop. Our rector will baptize or bury anyone. He preaches the Gospel 
-- not Michael Curry-style, but consistently. One particular sermon is 
acknowledged by one who is well-known as one of the largest purses in 
the church, if not the entire metro area, of their underwriting a 
city-wide afterschool music program, now involving a couple of thousand 
children. That means some children from underserved areas are bussed to 
our and other churches in the afternoons for music lessons and homework 
help by talented musicians and musicians trained in child pedagogy -- 
alongside some of our Day School children. Those who come from other 
schools don't all look like our Day School children, and it ain't just 
the uniform difference.

We're downtown. We have many neighbors on the street without an address. 
We hand out $2 bags of protein, carb, and water for the asking. Some of 
those people ask for a bag more than once. Imagine; they're hungry 
again, the next day. These adults don't look like the adults in their 
Escalades and BMWs dropping off their Day School children in the 
morning, and some believe exposing our children to the site of such 
people is inappropriate. Yes, that's what they said: It's in appropriate 
for those people to be seen.

And, it seems I have become a side target on which to direct some of 
their anger.

I have been largely writing (90-95% or more) and laying out our 
newsletters and service leaflets for nearly 18 years. Four years ago, 
you might recall, I joined the staff full-time, having been a contractor 
previously, and was charged with everything that is seen, read, or 
touched; if not writing, then presenting it so that it is in our voice 
and our brand, adding web site, e-newsletters, promotional pieces, 
marketing, etc. to my plate.

Sometime after starting our e-newsletter, I began adding a little piece 
of art and link to the Sunday readings to each issue. About half the 
time I write it, myself; and about half the time I've found a quote to 
use (attributed, permission granted) that I find pertinent. You can see 
our issues:
http://stjamesbr.org/resources/newsletters

I've often wondered on Thursday evenings as I'm still working on the 
reading and study of the lections I started on Tuesday, whether anyone 
reads these things; am I wasting my time that should be spent finishing 
the mobile design for the newsletter I've had on the back burner for months?

Well, one of our vocal minority did read and was offended by my 
selections for the July 3 issue:
http://stjamescsf.org/eMessenger3Jul2015.html

This was the week of SCOTUS rulings on ACA and marriage equality, and 
the PB's message on same. Mind you, the offended person has never 
contacted me, although we have known each other and our families for >20 
years. He's never asked my reasoning in selecting this quote for inclusion.

In fact, I felt it could be read as some comfort whichever side of the 
issues one is on; we *do* have many sins from which to repent, and 
(while I don't think so), some of our current decisions could be wrong. 
We can hope our posterity will judge us with the mercy we might give 
those who came before us. With a link to the gospel about turning the 
other cheek. And, <enter flag wave, here> an acknowledgment of our 
national birthday celebration, to boot.

A "values subcommittee" to a "strategic planning committee" to conduct 
"lay oversite of all communications that come from the church" has been 
proposed. (Lay oversees all -- even the rector's letters?!?! The asst. 
rector's email reminders of bible study?!?!) There are enough layers of 
legislation there to believe this will never come to fruition. However, 
it has also added another arrow to the quiver of those who wish to sling 
some at the rector; he's responsible for hiring me, after all. He has 
been most supportive. His original charge to me was, "Standing still is 
not an option. Push the envelope." He, and other vestry members tell me 
they, "have [my] back." This sort of proposal is also, functionally, 
impossible. I'm working an average of 45-50 hours/week, now, to stay 
near the top of things. If I had to pass everything through another 
someone, anyone, we're sunk, in my opinion. It is, as I see it, my line 
in the sand.

I ask for your prayers for the battles on the ground still to be fought 
as the GenCon legislation moves forward; I'm sure there are many other 
parishes experiencing the same sort of thing, and there will be 
unintended and unexpected victims.

Peace,
Jo