The Congo

On Saturday we hosted our fourth seminar of the year as our friends Bruce Campbell-Janz and Jesus Cruz from Mennonite Central Committee led us to ponder the Congo, an active faith, and God's call to the world. Over 50 people gathered to hear about a country devastated by nearly 20 years of war. MCC's work with youth, refugees, and internally displaced peoples was inspiring and gave us a good picture of where some of our Common Fund sharing dollars go.

As an added bonus, a visiting Syrian Orthodox Church bishop joined in our conversation and commented on the recent conflict in Syria, the humanitarian toll, and the physical and psychological damage being inflicted within the borders of his beloved home.

As a group, we were driven to our feet in solidarity, offering prayers of peace, reconciliation, healing, and restoration. We continue to pray for Jesus to be at work and for the safety of our partners as they do the work of Jesus in difficult circumstances.

The Justice Conference Gathers Thousands

Joshua Grace reporting.

I'm not sure of the final count, but a few thousand people convened at the Convention Center last weekend for The Justice Conference.  The organizers describe it as "a movement of students, teachers, business people, parents, artists, social entrepreneurs, pastors, advocates and academics all of whom are discovering the paradox that true life is found when we give our lives away on behalf of others."  Ken Wytsma began organizing in 2010 and this year the conference went beyond Portland, OR to Philadelphia.

I attended with a heavy heart.  My friend Richard Twiss, who convinced me to attend, was set to speak and hang out but suddenly and tragically died from complications after a massive heart attack a few weeks ago.  There was a brief but meaningful acknowledgement of him on Friday night but more importantly his family and legacy were on the hearts of all of us who knew him and those who were learning about him for the first time.

Howard, Molly, and I were naming some of the people from our church who were there on our Facebook Page.  We got to thirty people pretty fast.  There were probably more that we haven't named yet.

I've enjoyed the Facebook and Twitter chatter yesterday and today about highlights.  I would add three of my own.

1.  Brenda Salter McNeil on Friday night.  I got to meet her briefly after her talk at CCDA a few years ago.  She gave us a great gift about how to identify and be moved by our compassion.  She put her neck out there advocating for gun control, particularly that which would reduce the number of gun violence in urban areas.







2.  It was pretty fun to see my boy Shane Claiborne get the rowdiest welcome.  He was brilliant as usual and showcased the creativity of RAWtools, Mennonite blacksmiths from Colorado Springs, CO who intend to "partner with communities in an effort to repurpose weapons for productive lifelong purpose."  They did a demonstration of taking a donated AK-47 and turning it into useful and beautifully made garden tools.



3.  PhillyBloco got a few thousand people dancing on Saturday night.  Martha, Jay, and about 20 of my other friends blew the place up with "Brazilian Music to shake your body and soul!"  Dozens (hundreds?) crammed the front to learn the moves, the isles were filled, and people jammed from their seat.  I told one of the security guards, a nice lady named Sharon that it was my wife's band.  She told me afterwards that she wants to go to the next show.