Amicus Dei

In the midst of all this iPhone mania, I ran across a blog, The Secret Lif e of Kat, featuring "the 40-day fast — about something other than us."  Interesting and refreshing.  Rather than self-indulgence, a little self-denial and self-discipline. 

The idea is that 40-bloggers would each fast for a day, then blog about their experience on the day of their fast.  Here are the 40-day fast details from the Kat’s mouth:

The 40-day fast details

Here are the basic guidelines for those who would like to participate in the fast:

Who:
40 bloggers who will each fast for 1 day.

What:
They will blog about the experience as well as an area of need in the world (either a cause or a country) and an organization that strives to meet that need.

They will also link to the blogger who is fasting on each day of the fast and encourage their readers to join the fast on the 40th day.

Why:
The purpose behind it is to give people an opportunity to:
1. Experience a bit of need
2. Learn about the need in the world
3. Do something about it

I like the concept — experience need, learn about need, do something about it.  Anybody interested in keeping this going?  We need 40-bloggers.  I’m in, so now we only need 39.  Let me hear from all you missional-junkies and let’s do something besides talk.  Or collect the latest gadgets.  – Amicus Dei

I was listening to NPR as I drove back to Chatham from Duke yesterday.   One story was about World Refugee Day, which I expected to be observed in some third world dictatorship.  Instead, the reporter said that World Refugee Day protestors had gathered at Taylor, Texas, near Austin, at the T. Don Hutto Detention facility there.  This prison, complete with barred prison cells measuring only 8′ wide, now holds women and their children, picked up in immigrant sweeps by the US Border Patrol. 

The T. Don Hutto facility, owned by CCA — Corrections Corporation of America — is a prison.  The photo above was taken from the CCA website, so they know it’s a prison.  Hutto currently "houses" about 400 inmates, 200 of whom are children. 

Here’s what we are doing to these little children:

1. Children are forced to wear prison uniforms.
2. Children over 5-years of age are kept in prison cells separated from their mothers.
3. Children are allowed recreation only 1-hour per day, and often are not allowed outside at all.
4. Children are being treated like prisoners in violation of federal law.
5. Children are being denied access to education, healthcare, and their families in violation of federal and international human rights laws and treaties.

Amnesty International issued this statement at the protest in Texas –

"The T. Don Hutto detention facility is a former prison for hardened criminals, now run by a for-profit corporation to detain child asylum seekers, migrants and their families. On any given day, Hutto holds up to 400 of these vulnerable individuals, as young as five months, who are looking to the United States for asylum or other protection from the full, awful range of human rights violations abroad."

Hutto was put into operation when George W. Bush demanded an end to the immigrant "catch and release" program.  So now, rather than releasing detained immigrants who are seeking asylum in the US on their own recognizance until a hearing, we imprison them.  These are non-criminals who are being detained until their status in the US can be resolved.

But, don’t think that just activist organizations have joined the protest against imprisoning children at Hutto.  Christians and members of Congress have also lodged their objections to this obvious human rights violation. 

Regardless of your opinion of the ACLU, watch this video about conditions at Hutto.  The ACLU is suing Michael Chertoff, Homeland Security Secretary, for violating federal law in the imprionment of children. 

Suffer the Little Children…

At the outbreak of World War II, Americans were so afraid of the Japanese — any Japanese — that we incarcerated hundreds of thousands of Japanese in internment camps.  The federal government has since apologized for that illegal action.

Who will apologize to the hundreds of children held prisoner, here in the land of the free?  We can do better than this as Americans.  We must do better than this as followers of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven." 

Why are we putting children in prison?  Ask your congressman, your senators, and demand that we stop this illegal, inhumane practice at once. – Amicus Dei

Following up yesterday’s post, I ran down the links to Opawa Baptist Church, Side Door Arts, and smallfire.  These folks in New Zealand are doing great stuff using the arts to engage their community.  Here are some links you might be interested in:

• small fire – Steve Collins has pulled together a great list of emerging churches, mostly in the UK, but some in the US.  In blogroll fashion, you can scroll down the links and get info about each of these emerging ministries.  Some are churches, some are events, but lots of good stuff.  But, the real treasure here is Steve’s archive of photos from dozens of alternative worship events.  Lots of labyrinths, art installations, and interactive worship.  Plus, he has the most concise and articulate description of alternative worship I have ever read. 
• Opawa Baptist Church — Steve Taylor, author of The Out of Bounds Church, is pastor so you can expect some good things from this site.  Read the About Us page for the story of how they got where they are now.  Amazing.
• Side Door — This is the alternative worship of Opawa Baptist, but it is also an arts trust, which I assume means a separate organization, funding, etc so they can do arts events under a different brand.

I have by no means pointed out all the great stuff on these sites.  For instance, Opawa BC site has the journey to Advent and the journey to Easter, which are blogs featuring art, poetry, and more in preparation for these significant celebrations.  So, now you’ve been warned that there is much, much more to see, read, and think about.   You won’t be disappointed.  — Amicus Dei

Over at Allelon, Steve Taylor has a great post, When Art Comes To Town:  Reflection on Art As Public Mission.  Three groups in their town — Opawa Baptist Church, Side Door Arts Trust, and Creative Communities — collaborated (I love that word) on a project to tell the Christmas story using public art. 

These groups took 8-20′ shipping containers, wrapped them like giant Christmas presents, and filled them with exhibits relating to the Christmas story.  Read the post for the details and results, but this is a great idea!

Here’s what I like about this public arts project:

1. Three groups collaborated.  (Slight correction — Side Door Arts is the arts trust set up by Opawa Baptist Church.  My apologies for not researching this earlier.)
2. The project was a gift to the community.  No strings attached.  Steve says don’t do this to increase church attendance, because it doesn’t bring people into the church. 
3. It was real art — not cheesy "church" art — and it engaged people in conversation and reflection.
4. Eight 20′ containers made a statement.  It was creative, innovative, obvious, and inviting.  Bold, if I dare say. 
5. The project involved a lot of people.  Logistics, art production, guides, support, etc, involved a lot of volunteers. 
6. The community was enriched.   Art in the "public square" enriches the environment for all.  Nice to see a church involved in making their community a better place.

So, go read the whole article, then poke around at Allelon ("one another") for a while.  Lots of good stuff for missional junkies.  — Amicus Dei

Seth Godin is one of those guys I love to read.  Godin is the author of All Marketers Are Liars, among other books, and his new post on Responsibility is the best I have ever seen on ethics in advertising.  Here’s an excerpt:

"If you get asked to market something, you’re responsible. You’re responsible for the impacts, the costs, the side effects and the damage. You killed that kid. You poisoned that river. You led to that fight. If you can’t put your name on it, I hope you’ll walk away. If only 10% of us did that, imagine the changes. Imagine how proud you’d be of your work." 

– Seth Godin

So, the next time your church is tempted to publish an ad that says…

Find hope at First United Church of Smalltown, USA

you better make sure you have hope in stock, and lots of it.  – Amicus Dei 

ChristianityToday.com featured the article I wrote for Leadership Journal on their site today.  Learn To Partner is the story of what we are doing here in Chatham in missional engagement with our community.   This article formed the outline for my presentation to The City Mission of Cleveland, and that powerpoint, Building Without A Blueprint, is available at their community blog, Agreatercleveland.org.   

If your church is involved in collaborating with other community groups, I’d like to hear from you.  I believe that there is a wave of partnering among churches, civic groups, and neighbors to do good in our communities.  What do you think of this trend, and are you involved?  I’d love to hear from you.  Leave a comment or email me — let’s keep the conversation going.  – Amicus Dei

Yesterday we broke ground for the new community center here in Chatham.  Chatham Cares, the non-profit we founded in 2005, received a $3-million grant to build a community center in Chatham.   Our county, Pittsylvania County, does not have any county recreation facility, so this is a first for Chatham and Pittsylvania County. 

I created an album with photos of the groundbreaking, and you can access it by clicking here.  The Boys and Girls Club, which has been meeting at our church, will move to the center when it’s complete.  We’ll also offer other programs for families, seniors, teens, and community groups. 

Tonight Debbie and I are in Cleveland, Ohio, where tomorrow I am speaking to The City Mission about collaborating with other groups and individuals to create a better community.  Check out their website and the resources they offer.  The City Mission is doing some great stuff, and bringing diverse groups together to do them.   More tomorrow on their work and our discussion.  – Amicus Dei