Marigolds

 For years I have grown marigolds.  First in the inner city of New Haven, Ct.  They were the only thing that would last.  Neighborhood children would pick them and take them home.  However, unlike tulips, the more you pick marigold flowers, the more flowers the plants produce--all summer.

I grew them in Dubuque, Iowa, and in East Dubuque, Illinois.  Now we live in an apartment at Prairie Place on 1st in Mason City.  No more yard!  But I still grew marigolds from seed this year and here they are on our 2nd floor deck.

Persistent marigolds grow everywhere.  We plant, pick, and then they grow more.  So, too, our need to hold on to hope and be persistent, everywhere in this troubled world.

Within Ten Months. . .

Within 10 months, March '72 to Jan '73, the Equal Rights Amendment, Title IX, and Roe v wade all became the law of the the land in the United States. During that time I entered Yale Divinity School to become ordained to pastoral ministry. Title IX changed so many things for women. The Equal Rights Amendment was never ratified by enough states to become the 27th Amendment to the U.S.Constitution.  The overturning of Roe yesterday has set women's right to privacy way back. We again have work to do.

Separation of Church and State: The First Amendment

 WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday, June 21, 2022, that Maine can’t exclude religious schools from a program that offers tuition aid for private education, a decision that could increase religious organizations’ access to taxpayer money.

This decision favors the second clause of the First Amendment, the "free exercise" over the first clause, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of Religion." Both clauses are needed to retain an appropriate separation of church and state (religion and government) in this religiously pluralistic country.  The decision may also encourage "Christian nationalism" to be taught in schools.

7th Anniversary of murder of Emmanuel Nine

 We took part (hybrid) in the commemoration of the "Emmanuel Nine" who were murdered 7 years ago, June 17, 2015. We virtually sat in the sanctuary for a Bible Study with the congregation and people from across the country. Biblical scholars spoke. Bishop Curry of the Episcopal church gave a powerful sending message. ELCA presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton read the Gospel lesson from Mark 4, the very text the people of Emmanuel AME were studying when a young man came in to Mother Emmanuel church.  They invited him to join their Bible study, not knowing, that during the Bible study, he would shoot nine of them. We are called to study Scripture and to work to stop gun violence. Here is a picture/video of the choir and strings playing, "Life Every Voice and Sing."

Juneteenth

 Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to let people there know and be ensured that all enslaved people be freed. The troops' arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

We will be celebrating Juneteenth this Sunday, June 19, in East Park here in Mason City, Iowa, with people of all races.  I invite you to fine Juneteenth celebrations near you and joy in. 

Arming teachers will not keep schools safe

 Teachers and other school staff in Ohio will now be able to carry guns with only 24 hours of training, not 700.  Local school boards will oversee this.  I believe arming more teachers will not make schools safer, but rather encourage and increase gun violence and mass shootings.  Educators work hard to teach every student, to encourage cooperation in the classroom, through music to blend voices together, and so much more. Their carrying and using guns is the antithesis of providing a trustworthy learning environment.  We need to support and make safe public community schools for all. 

Mass Shootings Everywhere in US.

 "I can't believe it happened here."  Well, it does happen here.  Mass shootings are happening everywhere in the U.S., 233 so far in 2022. President Biden addressed the nation Thursday night calling for action on guns. About the same time, right here in Iowa, 2 women were shot to death at Cornerstone Church in Ames, along with the lone gunman. The night before 4 were killed in Tulsa by a man angry at his surgeon. Looking for the motive? All sorts of motives. The problem is the availability of guns and too many guns, particularly assault weapons.

70th Anniversary for Queen Elizabeth II

 I was in 8th grade when we learned that Princess Elizabeth of the UK would become queen. He father had died when she was 26.  I remember thinking "How can they change 'God Save the King'?" Now we have had 70 years of "God save the Queen." Thank you, Queen Elizabeth II. I remember her serving in the midst of the bombs of WW II. At age 19 she was a driver and a mechanic in the Armed Forces.  That was the world she knew and I knew. Now I see the same images of bombed out Ukraine.  God save us all.