Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Good Morning!  

 

Couple of dates to remember -- this Sunday is the Christmas Musical, and tomorrow night is a meeting of the Capital Stewardship Committee, if you are part of that group. 

Today's Scripture

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

Romans 12:19

Today's Overview

Coming back to Narnia to our world and day and time . . .

The story of Tookie Williams is the reason I chose the scripture for today, and it is something that we should pause and think about, because nothing in our law today challenges our faith more than the death penalty.  The imposition of the death penalty is something that is wrapped up in political beliefs and social beliefs along with spirtual beliefs, and it is difficult to sort out in a way what to hold on to as your belief.

As information, here is what the UMC says in the discipline about the death penalty: 

The Death Penalty

We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings. The United Methodist Church is deeply concerned about crime throughout the world and the value of any life taken by a murder or homicide. We believe all human life is sacred and created by God and therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable. When governments implement the death penalty (capital punishment), then the life of the convicted person is devalued and all possibility of change in that person's life ends. We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the possibility of reconciliation with Christ comes through repentance. This gift of reconciliation is offered to all individuals without exception and gives all life new dignity and sacredness. For this reason, we oppose the death penalty (capital punishment) and urge its elimination from all criminal codes. 

If you saw any of the coverage of Tookie Williams' execution in the news, you saw what a circus of protesters came to San Quentin prison -- it was a very California circus.  And many of those protesters came to protest the death penalty for reasons that had nothing to do with their faith -- they were there for reasons of race or politics or self-promotion.  Frankly, one of the drawbacks to saying you are against the death penalty is the opportunity to be lumped in all the others who showed up at San Quentin on Monday night.

But, in the spirit of the class, this is an issue that confronts us in our lives outside the church that should be shaped by what we learn and believe and practice in church.  So regardless of what you believe -- whether you are for capital punishment or against it -- I think that the main thing that you owe to yourself from a spiritual standpoint is to make the effort to reconcile what your opinion is on this issue with what your spiritual beliefs are.  Don't be swayed by the politics or the other issues that have gotten tied up in it, or even in the idea of guilt or innocence of a particular person such as Tookie Williams. 

Deep subject, but one that is bound to come in conversation this week, if it already hasn't

If you are interested in reading some commentary about this, here are two blog entries:

The first part of this from Slate:  www.slate.com/id/213313/

This blog here has a detailed timeline report from the prison:  www.ordinaryeverydaychristian.blogspot.com/2005/12/clemency-appeals-denied-for-stanley.html

Today's prayer request:      Alan Brooks

Alan Brooks, our music minister, is having some surgery today at 9A.  It shouldn't be anything too major, we just need to pray that it go well and he have a quick recovery.

Today's class member prayer:   

 Melissa Herring 

Have a great day.

Jay