Women's Voices will Persist

Two women, so intelligent, competent and passionate, Elizabeth Warren and Rachel Maddow, sat in Elizabeth’s home last night talking about her taking her name out of the running for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. 

Elizabeth was thinking about all the little girls who would have to wait to see a woman as president. So many millions of us have had to wait since Hillary was defeated, not in the popular vote, but in the Electoral College. So many women and men saw such promise in their being six women candidates, and people of color, and a gay man among the 2020 candidates.

As I watched Elizabeth, my mind went back thirty years, to 1990, when there were no women Lutheran bishops in the world. A number of us women had been willing to be candidates in various ELCA synods, so at least people could envision the possibility. I was nominated in a synod in Minnesota; so many people from across the country sent encouraging support. As the balloting drew close, and there was a very real chance I would be elected, with much prayer and discernment, I took my name out of the running, telling the assembly, “I feel clear that I am to continue my calling to be a teaching theologian of the church as a professor at Wartburg Seminary. . . I don’t like to disappoint people. . . There are many extraordinarily gifted women in this church ready and capable of being bishop today.”

I do not mean to equate my situation with that of Elizabeth Warren, except with that piercing empathy I felt for her.  Women and girls would have to wait. 

However, soon after my vocational decision, a Lutheran woman was elected bishop in Germany, and in 1992, April was elected in the ELCA, followed by Andrea, and more, and women of color and then Elizabeth as Presiding Bishop of the ELCA.  And I count it a great joy that some women whom I had been privileged to teach at Wartburg are now synodical bishops.

As Elizabeth Warren and Rachel Maddow talked last night, almost sister to sister, it was clear to me that their gifts will continue to be used.  Their persistent voices will continue to be heard.

After Iowa Caucuses: What Really Happened

     Timing! What the news is missing this morning: During Caucus night in Iowa there was no violence, no police needed, no people shooting each another, no name-calling.  Our room was filled with respectful, patient people who followed the intricate rules through the long process.

     While news reporters this morning talk about chaos and confusion and some people even speculating conspiracy, they are missing the picture.  It’s all in the timing. Iowans need to be very sure the count of sign-ins, first preference group, realignment groups, and final delegate count are all accurate. Otherwise people might doubt the truth.  Verify, verify, verify!  

     Sure, the aps didn’t work as planned. Not good; but the paper trail is in place.  And, in our ward, because two precincts met at one school building,  we had to make sure people signed in on the right sheets and went to their correct caucus room. Timing.  But people were amazingly kind and helpful to each other.  Instead of rude bullying, there was careful collaboration.

     National news analysts were frustrated they had 3 ½ hours with no results to report. Primaries are good, but those of us in precincts in a Caucus state know we needed to come together, talk, listen, be honest, and take the time to choose well. (There were no “undecideds” in our  precinct.) Watch for the full results and keep working. This nation needs truth, clarity, verification and trustworthy collaboration.

"Until Iowa" Post 6 MLK Jr. Day: Leadership for the Iowa Caucuses

“Until Iowa” Post 6: Today, Jan. 20, is MLK Jr. Day. We marked it with three hours of training for the Iowa Caucuses 14 days from now. It was a strenuous morning, learning leadership to help the evening of Feb. 3 go well. First, people in our precinct will register as a caucus voter, a new voter, a youth observer, other observers, or the media.  New this year for the Democrats will be presidential preference cards. Yes, those will be signed and counted after the first alignment in preference groups, so the nation will know the total number of people who voted for each presidential candidate.

Then comes the math. Based on the number of delegates one’s precinct will have to the county convention, a percentage determines if a presidential preference group is viable. There are careful procedures. I picture it taking time, but being thoughtful. Perhaps there are 247 or maybe 432 caucus voters and 8 delegates assigned this precinct. By counting, multiplication, and rounding up to the fourth decimal point, how many actual delegates each presidential candidate receives is determined. The nation will be waiting that night for this number from the 1678 caucuses in the 99 counties of Iowa.

There’s still more work to do: choosing the actual delegates and alternates to the county convention. The gathered caucus goers will have opportunity to discuss and adopt resolutions to recommend to the Country Platform Committee.  Yes, challenging work. We will do it together in this participatory democracy. Martin Luther King Jr worked his entire life so that all might have voice and vote.

"Until Iowa" Post 5 Cory Booker Really Listened

“Until Iowa” Post 5: I began to write this morning: “As I enter my Iowa caucus in 21 days, I’m in Cory Booker’s corner.” I’ve been meeting candidates for months now and had been most impressed with Cory. But at noon I received word from Booker, “It’s with a full heart that I share this news -- I’ve made the decision to suspend my campaign for president.”

He listened, really listened, and learned from us. He is deeply committed to bringing this country together. He is a man of faith, extraordinarily intelligent, street-smart, globally informed, and locally astute. I respect his collaborative leadership style. He lives his convictions, going home to his residence in Newark rather than “moving on up.”  He’s “in touch” with all economic groups, across color lines.

Cory gathered many of endorsements early in Iowa. He continues to be in the “second tier” of candidates in the polls, and actually went up in a poll 1 point today from yesterday. Yet he was rarely mentioned in the press, even his dropping out today. I would love to have seen him stay in through Iowa because this year the first round of votes will be reported out (whose corner you go to when you enter the room) as well as the second, realignment.  But lack of money, not qualifying for this debate and his responsibility in Trump’s impeachment trial made him make the decision today.

We will miss Cory. He has a deep understanding of farm issues and foreign affairs—and of their connection.   We need his aggressive plan on gun safety, his work on criminal justice reform, protection of reproductive rights, his advocacy for people with disabilities, and his standing up for people and communities that have been left out and left behind.

Race! It is still about race. It has been for decades and centuries. Cory would tell the story of how his parents tried to buy a home in a segregated neighborhood and how people of courage had to work together to challenge the system to make that happen during the Civil Rights Era. The Obama administration argued that to fulfill the Fair Housing Act of 1968 agencies still had to address disparities in housing, integrate neighborhoods and transform racially concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity. This January The Trump administration plans to propose pulling back Obama-era efforts to desegregate housing, saying they were burdensome.

This January Corry Booker and other candidates of color have had to drop out of the primaries. We need them.  I’m still in Cory’s corner.

"Until Iowa" 24 days. What's Next? War? Revenge, Anxiety, Decisions on a Whim?

“Until Iowa” Post 4: “What’s Next?” War? Not knowing what form revenge might take? Having a president who makes decisions on a personal whim? It’s 24 days until the Until Iowa caucuses Last night we heard John Kerry speak on behalf of Joe Biden. “We’re in a different place,” Kerry began. He went on to speak passionately, with his—and Biden’s--decades of experience about environmental protection, the climate crisis, truth being essential for democracy, and more. 

Kerry was careful to stick with central campaign issues, until I asked him about “the place” we’re in these very days with Iran. Then Kerry said with great seriousness, “This moment is so dangerous.” He detailed what it took to build the Iranian nuclear agreement, the success it was having in de-escalating the nuclear threat, the support of NATO and the U.N., and Trump taking us out. With even more intensity, and convincingly, he stated this country needs U.S.  leadership that again builds relationships that the world so much needs.

"Until Iowa" 28 Days: Civil and Civic Conversations

“Until Iowa” Post 3. We gathered at the Mason City Public Library Saturday morning with our State Senator Amanda Ragan and State Representative Sharon Steckman for a “legislative preview.” Never mind that next door at the Art Museum Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer also would be speaking Saturday and across the street in the other direction candidate Bernie Sanders would be speaking at Music Man Square Saturday evening. Those events also would be full.

However, decisions made by states matter too—greatly! At our meeting people of all age groups talked calmly, intelligently, and knowledgeably about a full range of topics facing us this legislative term. We began with the need for emergency services. Sometimes people have to wait 45 minutes for an ambulance. Volunteers work hard; the need grows.

Next the group delved into mental health issues, for youth and adults. We need more counselors in schools. This led to the important issue of public education. Iowa for decades has been known for excellent public schools for all children, but budget cuts are hurting. There is a need for child care and nursing home workers, and for raising the minimum wage.

Another big issue is water quality. For nearly two hours the conversation continued, people sharing knowledge and asking each other questions.  We ended with talking about the upcoming Iowa Caucus sites.  What I participated in Saturday WAS the kind of civil and civic conversation around issues that happens at an Iowa Caucus.

Tweet 3 of “Until Iowa” Besides Tom Steyer and Bernie Sanders being here Sat., we gathered with our State Senator and Representative about issues of mental health, public education, water quality and more. Calm, intelligent conversation. This IS like an Iowa Caucus

Epiphany 2020 and Our Striking Realizations

Epiphany: A manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles 

“Epiphany,” more broadly, is “an experience of a sudden and striking realization.”

This year, we are experiencing the striking images of fires raging in sudden outbursts across Australia. Will we finally realize the global climate crisis?

We have experienced the killing of an Iranian military general by the sudden order of a U.S. president. What will the striking realization be: retaliation, escalation of hostilities, war?

Epiphany, January 6: What is our calling as Christ is manifest again in the world?

"Until Iowa" 31 days: Homelessness

How many days “Until Iowa”?  “Iowa is” already but writing this snowy February 3 it’s 31 days until the Iowa Caucuses. So, here’s my second post on the subject.

A national news commentator whom I trust and admire recently was in mid-America doing a story. I was surprised the commentator was surprised to discover homelessness in the Midwest, saying, “I thought homelessness was in the big cities of the East and West coasts, not in rural America.” First, we in Iowa, know that here many people—many of us-- are without houses, without shelter, without homes, in our cities, towns and rural areas. Second, these United States should not be divided into rural and urban, nor into red states and blue states. On Iowa license plates are silhouette images of city buildings and farm structures.

Third, most important for contemplation of “until Iowa,” is that the poverty which leads to homelessness is a major problem everywhere.  AND, people who are poor, who are without an address, deserve to vote. Such votes of real people are needed! Homelessness, joblessness and poverty need to be alleviated. That’s the challenge for “until Iowa” and beyond.

"Until Iowa" Thirty Four Days

How Many Days “Until Iowa”?  Writing this New Year’s Eve, it’s 34 days until the Iowa Caucuses, but “Iowa” has been a state since 1846, and indigenous tribes lived on this land centuries before. Democratic candidates have spent months here. We have had the privilege and responsibility of meeting and having conversations with many. Iowa is! However, during the “until” I have decided to post some of my observations. So, here goes for today! 

The perception remains among some that Iowa is “fly over country” where people don’t live in the 21^st century. For instance, I noticed that whoever prepared the current TV ad for Andrew Yang pictured a farm woman and child standing in front of an old fashioned windmill from 70 years ago. Missing in the picture are the wind turbines one sees driving (or flying over) this state. Iowa leads the nation in per capita wind power capacity. Iowa was the first state to generate more than 30% of its electricity with wind power. The climate crisis is real and we need to act now.  More on “Until Iowa” in posts to come.

Impeachment is not Just a Football Game

Why pay attention if we know how it’s going to turn out? I heard a man say, “This impeachment thing is like football game. If I’ve already heard the final score, I don’t want to watch the game later on TV.” But of course it’s not a game, not football, and not just a partisan “thing”—unless that’s the way one frames it. If one listens carefully, and reads, the impeachment process draws us back to the central idea and foundations of this country.  We are called to study again, or for the first time, the U.S. Constitution and to think deeply about Democracy and rule of law and governance by the people, not a monarch. Democracies across the world are in danger today. Leaders who want power for themselves, and an  atmosphere of fear of the “other,” threaten the world and the earth itself.

We boldly go to war to “fight for our freedom.” So costly in lives! How noble. This is also a time for nobility, one that does not call for guns: nobility and  integrity, and wisdom. Democracy, our constitution, and freedom to care for one another, including strangers, as people and as nations together is at stake. We must pay attention.

When Death is Sudden, Christ is Timeless

We were together in community for the Vigil and Funeral Eucharist of Gwen Sayler Friday and Saturday. In Dubuque two communities centered for service in Christ were together at Wartburg Seminary, difficult to comprehend, but wonderful to experience.  I have been a member of the Lutheran Deaconess Conference (Lutheran Diaconal Association) for almost 60 years (with Gwen for almost 50 of those). I became a faculty member at Wartburg 40 years ago (Gwen was a faculty member for almost 30). Wartburg Dean of the Chapel led worship; deaconesses read lessons and preached. So many others shared their words and gifts. Graduates from decades conversed, processed, embraced.  Together, together, we said “Hello” again in coming to say “Good-bye.” Even when death is sudden and shocking, new life in Christ is timeless and the body of Christ gathered is strong beyond words.

Birthday Week Thanks and Thoughts

Surrounded by my loving husband, Burton, family, and friends, I give thanks for a community of care.

I was Born Nov 6, 1938.  A few days later that week, Nov 9-10, was Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Grass, the start of the Holocaust, when Nazis destroyed 250 synagogues throughout Germany, as well as Jewish hospitals, businesses, and schools, and 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and incarcerated. My birth week reminds me to pay attention to the rise of hate.

This year Nov. 4-9 we commemorate the 30^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. In 1989 Gethsemane Church in East Berlin became a center for the peaceful revolution for freedom. It was a sanctuary church and a place for public discussions. Within 5 days the non-violent protest grew to thousands and the Wall came down.  I continue to believe the local and global church is called to public theology and prophetic action.

Often Nov. 6 is Election Day. Some notables: In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States. Presidents re-elected on Nov. 6^th include: 1940: Franklin Roosevelt; 1956: Dwight Eisenhower; 1984: Ronald Reagan; 2012: Barack Obama. My birthday has always urged me to commit to engage, participate, caucus, vote.

In thinking of my own heritage, Martin Luther was born the same week as I, November 10—just a few centuries earlier, 1483. I am grounded in the grace of Jesus Christ.

This week, the Lutheran Diaconal Association, of which I have been a part since my consecration as a deaconess in 1960, celebrates its 100^th anniversary.  This community of sisters, and now brothers, calls me forth again to ongoing faith and service in a complex world in need of healing and hope.