What Can We Learn from Hurricane Sandy?

It is still raining and the wind is still gusting in Northeast Ohio this morning. While we suffered nothing of the consequences that folks experienced along the east coast, the effects of Hurricane Sandy are still with us some 48 hours after the event. In my mind, this “unprecedented” weather event raises serious questions about our world, the climate, and our corporate responsibility as stewards of the creation.

Sandy's Aftermath in the Dominican Republic
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Bill McKibben at 350.org wrote, "The images coming out of the Atlantic seaboard, and from the refugee camps in Haiti, made us not just sad but angry. This storm was literally unprecedented. It had lower barometric pressure, a higher storm surge, and greater size than the region had ever seen before. It's as out of kilter as the melting Arctic or the acidifying ocean. And if there were any poetic justice, it would be named Hurricane Chevron or Hurricane Exxon, not Hurricane Sandy."

Lower Manhattan - Avenue C at 8th Street
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The picture to the left was taken in Lower Manhattan this week at the corner of Avenue C and 8^th street near Tompkins Square Park. This was my old neighborhood when I was a kid because the church that my father was the assistant minister was less than five blocks from this location. It is almost inconceivable that water from the East River would over run that neighborhood. The storm surge must have been incredible and terrifying. I can only imagine what the parks along the East River look like. The pictures are hard to believe and yet we know that it happened.

Having lived through Hurricane Hugo when it struck South Carolina and blitzed its way through North Carolina where we were living at the time, one of the things I remember most, since it was my first experience of a Hurricane, was the amazing and beautiful calm that took place immediately after the event. The sun came out. While there was devastation all around us, the weather cleared and the storm dissipated.

Hurricane Sandy
New York Daily News

This is not the case with “Sandy”, the largest storm ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. Some weird stuff is happening. The Maine coast line is being battered with tropical moisture and warm temperatures, West Virginia has three feet of snow in some places, and it is still raining in Northeast Ohio. I am not a meteorologist, but even I can discern that something is not right with this picture.

After 9/11, the Charlotte public television station ran a program of a lecture given by Rabbi Harold Kushner who spoke to a group of local college students. During the program, the good rabbi mentioned that in the midst of trial and tribulation, the question was not to ascertain who was to blame. Instead we should be asking one another: Now that this has happened, what are we going to do about it?

Lake Erie - October 30, 2012
boston.com

As I went to bed last night, the Rabbi’s question came to mind. Sandy was a whopper of a storm, “the perfect storm” some will say. But, perhaps, there are larger and more important issues that need to be taken seriously. What is really transpiring with the climate? Who are the important voices in the scientific world that we should be listening to and learning from? Are there actions that the nations of the world can take together to reduce the use of fossil fuels which seem to have a devastating effect on the creation?

The scientists who predicted this kind of megastorm have issued another stark warning: if we stay on our current path, our children will live on a super-heated planet that's four or five degrees warmer than it is right now. As stewards of creation, can we allow that to happen? Gas prices are falling just before an election to their lowest level in months. Is our society’s addiction to oil leading us on a path to destruction and death? What can be done to overcome that addiction?

There are no easy answers to these complex issues and the critics will make us believe there is no problem. But the evidence of this week should bring all who are concerned to the table and ask: Now, that this has happened, what are we going to do about it?

Love One Another - Brian

Sabbath Rest

Tuesday is the weekly Sabbath Day for the John 13:34 Blog. Thanks for checking in. Back at it again tomorrow.

Title IV Update

Last week, I received some disappointing news in the ongoing Title IV process that I am engaged in with the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. The Project Grace community which has been supporting me since the beginning of this mess some nineteen months ago sent out the following letter when it heard that the Christ Church Vestry claimed that I had “rejected” their severance offer. Nothing could be further from the truth. This blog post will bring my readers up to date on the “imposed exile”. I continue to be grateful to God for Grace sufficient and for many, many supporters from around the country (and the globe for that matter) who support me with their prayers and words of encouragement. My friends are amazing and shed Gospel Light illuminating the shadows of darkness. Project Grace’s letter stated:

“Friday's email blast letter from Christ Church Vestry regarding Brian Suntken's ‘rejection’ of their Severance Agreement did not include a few important points that we feel should be brought to the attention of the Project Grace community and the Parish of Christ Church, Hudson.

“It omitted, for example, the fact that Brian accepted two key items of the Agreement, those being the willingness to resign and the financial settlement offered by the Vestry. Brian agreed to resign because he wants the best for the well-being of the Parish.

“Friday's letter also omitted that a major sticking point was a demand that Christ Church, the Vestry and Wardens, the Diocese of Ohio, the Episcopal Bishop of Ohio, and the Episcopal Church of the United States be released from any future legal action on Brian's part, without any companion release of Brian, Kathy and John Suntken from possible legal action by Christ Church et al. This leaves the Suntkens at risk of future action against them on the part of the Vestry, while insulating the Church and related parties from any action arising from the many injustices this process has inflicted upon the Suntken family.

“The main revision requested by Brian, after consultation with his attorney, Michael Rehill, was that he and Kathy be afforded the same release from future action that the Vestry demanded for itself.

“One other point of clarification: the Vestry has therefore sought the dissolution of the pastoral relationship between Christ Church and Brian Suntken by Bishop Hollingsworth under Canon III. Translation: they are attempting to wash their hands of the matter and are willing to turn their backs on the concept that Brian deserves the justice promised under the Title IV process.

“We believe that Brian's request to the Vestry was reasonable and provided for the resolution that the Vestry seeks: to move forward. However, the Vestry has decided to pursue a ‘take-it-or-leave-it strategy.’ We do not believe that the Vestry, in concert with the Bishop, is acting in good faith - or Faith, for that matter.”

While I have not been personally involved in Project Grace, I am incredibly grateful for its support. If you wish to read more about this issue, I encourage you to follow along at the Project Grace website which can be found at www.projectgracehudson.org. Keep the faith today, my friends. God wins in the end – I read the book!

Love One Another - Brian

The Sunday Musical Offering - The Aria "Ah mes amis" from Gaetano Donizetti's "La Fille Du Regiment"

Today's Sunday Musical Offering is in celebration of my classes at the Tri-C Encore Series which just concluded after a seven week run. My good fortune was to teach a course entitled "The Art of Bel Canto" to some sixty individuals at both the Hudson and Beachwood campus. These "senior" students never cease to bring me joy for their passion, life-experience, and willingness to continue to learn new ideas and concepts. I salute each and every one of you.

Gaetano Donizetti's comic masterpiece, The Daughter of the Regiment, premiered in Paris in the year 1840. It was a huge success with the opera playing for more than a 1000 performance between the years 1840 and the beginning of World War I. At the time of the Paris premiere, the composer had four operas playing simultaneously in the theaters of the French capital. Donizetti was indeed the "Toast of Paris." Five years later the composer would be confined to a mental institution outside of Paris exhibiting symptoms of syphilis and bipolar disorder. A master of the operatic theater, Donizetti died far too young and at the prime of his artistic life.

Fortunately, his operas continue to delight musical lovers in our own time and generation. The tenor aria "Ah mes amis" from the first act of the Daughter of the Regiment is considered by many the "Mount Everest" of the tenor repertory. Not only does it have the catching bel canto lyricism which was a hallmark of Donizetti's composition; but the tenor is asked to sing 9 high C's. Quite a musical feat! There had not been an encore at the La Scala Opera House in Milan since 1933. But a few years ago, Juan Diego Florez sang the role of Tonio and received such an ovation after this aria that he rewarded the Milanese with an encore and sang an additional 9 high C's - making 18 for the evening! I wish I had been in the house that night!!

Below, nine of my favorite tenors offering their interpretation of this magnificent aria. To my ears, I know which tenor sings the aria best - I wonder what you think?

Love One Another - Brian


Luciano Pavarotti

Juan Diego Florez

Giuseppe Sabbatini

Marcelo Alvarez

Rockwell Blake

Gregory Kunde

Laurence Brownlee

Jean-Luc Maurette

Alfredo Kraus (I may have saved the best for last!) 

Friday Night Lights IX

Tonight is the last game of the regular season for the Hudson Explorers' football team. It's very simple: win against North Royalton, who is undefeated, and we continue the journey onto the playoffs. Lose, and the season is over. A big factor in tonight's contest will be the weather which is forcast for rain and much cooler temperatures. Every Friday night for the last five weeks, we have had rain. I think the Lord is trying to tell us something!

Since we had rain last week - no pix. I am a fair weather photographer. So here is another view of the Buckeye Invitational from Ohio State which took place two weeks ago.

Love One Another - Brian

A Religious Survival Kit.... What Would You Take?

Yesterday, the John 13:34 Blog reached a small milestone - the 25,000th pageview! This is really terrific since I began this project less than a year ago on Advent I and the surprises and joys that have occurred along the way will be treasured in my heart for a lifetime. My thanks to each and every one of my readers who inspire, challenge and encourage me. You all are the very best. In honor of the momenteous threshold, I thought today we would simply have some fun!

Recently on Facebook, my good friend, the Reverend Bill Doubleday, posted a delightful game that stimulated my imagination and thought process. Inspired by a public radio program entitled "Celebrity Survival Kit" where a famous person was asked: If sent away to a deserted island for a year, what would you take along in the one trunk that you were allowed. For example: If you could have one newly released novel, whose would it be? If you could bring one inspirational book, what would it be? If you could take one recording of classical music and one of popular, what would they be?  

Bill wished that he could do a religious version of the program, called “Episcopalian Survival Kit” or “Christian Survival Kit”. So if you were going to be by yourself on a deserted island for a year what would you take in your large single trunk? My answers follow Bill's list. Have some fun and share your answers with others. Here we go....

"RELIGIOUS SURVIVAL KIT"

One worship aid:

One Whole Testament of the Bible:

or

One Book of the Old Testament and One Book of the New Testament:

The Recording of One Hymn:

The Recording of One Longer Piece of Sacred Music:

The Collected Works of One Theologian:

Or

One Theology Book:

One Vestment:

One Liturgical Aid:

One Fiction Book:

One Mystery Book:

One Non-Fiction Book:

One Poetry Book:

One Cookbook:

One CD of Classical Music:

One CD of Popular Music:

One CD of an Opera:

One DVD or Set of DVDs:

One Cable Channel for Ongoing Information:

One Electronic Device:

Suppose You are also allowed to add three guests:

One Bishop Living or Dead:

One Clergyperson Living or Dead:

One Lay Person Living or Dead:

Less One Member of Your Current Parish Who Would Be Definitively Banned from Your Island No Matter What Shipwrecks Washed Up:

For an Extra Fee You May Take One Spouse, Parent, or Child:


"RELIGIOUS SURVIVAL KIT" (Brian's Answers)

One worship aid: Prayer Book from the Iona Community

One Book of the Old Testament and One Book of the New Testament: Genesis and the Gospel of John (Is anybody surprised by that answer!)

The Recording of One Hymn: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

The Recording of One Longer Piece of Sacred Music: Franz Joseph Haydn's "The Creation"

One Theology Book: Community and Growth by Jean Vanier

One Vestment: My favorite Red Stole

One Liturgical Aid: Collected Sermons by John Andrews

One Fiction Book: The latest John Grisham novel

One Mystery Book: The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

One Non-Fiction Book: Men at Work by George Will (Baseball)

One Poetry Book: The Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot

One Cookbook: Anything by Giada!

One CD of Classical Music: Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 1

One CD of Popular Music: The Beatles Anthology

One CD of an Opera: Gaetano Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore (The Elixir of Love)

One DVD or Set of DVDs: AMC’s Mad Men Seasons 1, 2, and 3

One Cable Channel for Ongoing Information: PBS – News, Music and Big Bird! (OK, couldn't resist....)

One Electronic Device: Something to play the CD’s and DVD’s (plenty of batteries)

Suppose You are also allowed to add three guests:

One Bishop Living or Dead: The Rt. Rev. Robert B. Appleyard

One Clergyperson Living or Dead: Bill Weinhauer

One Lay Person Living or Dead: Faison Kuester

Less One Member of Your Current Parish Who Would Be Definitively Banned from Your Island No Matter What Shipwrecks Washed Up: I have a list(!) but I am not going to share it here…..

For an Extra Fee You May Take One Spouse, Parent, or Child: You gotta be kidding!!!

Love One Another - Brian

"Lord, teach us to pray...." Prayer and the National Election

Being in a "Swing" state, like Ohio, is a blessing and a curse! The positive aspect is that just about weekly now, you have the chance, if you wish, to see the candidates live and in person. The flip side is all of the negative advertising that is bombarding the airwaves and electronic media. It is estimated that to date over 109 million dollars has been spent by both campaigns in the State of Ohio alone. (Criminal?) How many people would that money put back to work in decent paying jobs?

The advertising is so overwhelming from the two sides that the voter quits listening (at least, this one) and cannot wait for November 6. The animosity and ill will from both campaigns is alarming and proves that the Republicans and Democrats, who espouse such virtuous values and ethics, are in fact morally bankrupt and filled with empty campaign rhetoric.

What is a Christian to do?

I find that I am spending more time in prayer than at any other period in my life. Praying for guidance and wisdom to make a wise and informed choice not only about the candidates but how I can be a better citizen of this great Nation in the service of others and following in the Master's footsteps.

While going through some books the other day, I came across Walter Bruggemann's Prayers for a Privileged People (Abingdon Press). His title has always intrigued me. The collection of prayers is both challenging for those of us who have means and comforting as the very nature of the Christian faith is revealed. Near the beginning of the book, one finds a prayer entitled The Noise of Politics which seemed quite appropriate with two weeks left before our National election.

The Noise of Politics

We watch as the jets fly in
with the power people
and the money people,
the suits, the budgets, and the billions.

We wonder about monetary policy
because we are among the haves,
and about generosity
because we care about the have-nots.

By slower modes we notice
Lazarus and the poor arriving from Africa,
and the beggars from Central Europe, and
the throng of environmentalists
with their vision of butterflies and oil
of flowers and tanks
of things growing and
killing fields.

We wonder about peace and war,
about ecology and development,
about hope and entitlement.

We listen beyond jeering protesters and
soaring jets and
faintly we hear the mumbling of the crucified one,
something about
feeding the hungry
and giving drink to the thirsty,
about clothing the naked,
and noticing the prisoners,
more about the least and about holiness among them.

We are moved by the mumbles of the gospel,
even while we are tenured in our privilege.

We are left ready to join the choir of hope,
half afraid things might change,
and in a third half of our faith
turning to you,
and your outpouring love
that works justice and
that binds us each and all to one another.

So we pray amid jeering protesters
and soaring jets.
Come by here and make new,
even at some risk to our entitlements.

(Walter Bruggemann, Prayers for a Privileged People; pages 21 and 22)

Love One Another - Brian

Sabbath Rest

Tuesday is the weekly Sabbath Day for the John 13:34 Blog. Thanks for checking in. Back at it again tomorrow.

The Sunday Musical Offering: Stravinsky ~ THE RITE OF SPRING

Today, the Sunday Musical Offering is dedicated to a friend of mine who passed away last week after a long and hard fought battle with cancer. I met Ann McElligott at the General Seminary where she was on the faculty and I was a first year student. Ann later went on to be awarded a D.D. from General in 2002 and served on the Seminary's Board of Trustees. She led the congregation at St. Paul’s Church in Indianapolis, and later as the Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew’s in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ann was one of the founders and first advocates for “Journey into Adulthood” and, because of her work in education, was invited to take charge of a seminary in Australia. From there she went to Honolulu as Dean before her retirement to Portland.

We reconnected over a year ago by Facebook and had been in contact with each other right up until her final week of life. She always had an encouraging word for the John 13:34 Blog and recently suggested to include the music of Igor Stravinsky on The Sunday Musical Offering.

The Rite of Spring is a ballet written for the 1913 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes company, with choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky and stage designs and costumes by Nikolai Roerich. When the ballet was first performed, at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées on May 29, 1913, the avant-garde nature of the music and choreography caused a near-riot in the audience. Nevertheless, Stravinsky's music achieved rapid success as a concert piece and became recognized as one of the most influential musical works of the twentieth century.

In honor of my friend and in loving memory, the John 13:34 Blog offers two selections of Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. In the first example, maestro Leonard Bernstein inspires young musicians of the Scheswig-Holstein Music Festival Orchestra to give a primal, earthy performance of Stravinsky's masterpiece. Ann would have loved this as a musical master passes on his knowledge and foresight to his students. Ann was a gifted teacher - so was Bernstein - and the insight here is remarkable.

The second offering is a 1968 clip of the entire composition of The Rite of Spring under the direction of Igor Markevitch, another gifted teacher, mentor and musician. As a conductor, Markevitch was well respected for his interpretations of the French and Russian repertory and of twentieth-century music. This video is a fine example of his musical gifts.

Love One Another - Brian

The Weekly Round-Up for October 20, 2012

The fall colors have been magnificent this year despite our summer drought. As the brightly colored leaves fall slowly from the large oaks in our backyard, the Weekly Round-Up begins with a rather limited edition. Not sure this was due to schedule or just one of those slow news weeks. Who knows? But enjoy nonetheless.

The Best Editorial of the Week
Paul Krugman, The New York Times

Snow Job on Jobs

Second Best Editorial of the Week
Paul Krugman, The New York Times

Death by Ideology

This One Will Make You Think
Dan Berry, The New York Times

The Corner of Hope and Worry

And Now A "WORD" From The Monastery
Br. Mark Brown, ssje.com

Compassion

What Type of Liberal Are You?
Political Humor, about.com

Take The Quiz

Best Musical Posts of the Week
Various Sources and Sites

When the Opera Was On The Sidewalk (The New York Times)

Jazz Artists Trumpet Lack of Pension Payments (CrainsBusiness)

Best Religious Posts of the Week
Various Sources and Sites

Operating Without a Safety Net: Religion and the Latest Pew Study (Progressive Christianity)

Why Christianity is Dying While Spirituality Is Thriving (Huffington Post)

Desmond Tutu: God is Not Christian

Fearless Evangelism Part III (ACTS 8)

When Jesus Invented A New Commandment (Progressive Christian)

What If Rob Bell Planted Another Church? (Homebrewed Christianity)

Why Aren't Episcopal and Roman Catholic Churches Overflowing? Ask the Nones. (Cleveland.com)

The Dream.... By Bishop Wesley Frensdorff (ACTS 8)

Hacking Off Our Own Limbs For Jesus (Sojourners)

Young Evangelicals and the "Nones" (Sojourners)

Meet The Nones (Sojourners)

Breaking Down Barriers Through Christian Hospitality (Huffington Post)

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate!!!
Kevin Charles Redmon, npr.com

The Secret to Genius? Might Be More Chocolate

The Most Viewed Post at the John 13:34 Blog This Week
Wednesday, October 17, 2012

"Lord, teach us to pray...." The ACTS Model of Billy Graham

Always End with Children, Animals or Adults Having Fun
Tim Conway and the Siamese Elephants, youtube.com

Love One Another - Brian

Friday Night Lights VIII

There was a report this week on ESPN that the game tonight between the 7-1 Hudson Explorers and the 6-2 Elyria Pioneers was being compared to the Ohio State/Michigan game. That sounds like alot of hype to me about a High School Football game; but, who knows? If Hudson wins, it will set up an even more important game against North Royalton next week determining home field advantage in the playoffs. But, one game at a time - let's see what transpires this evening at Senior Night.

The amazing pictures below were taken at the Buckeye Invitational at THE Ohio State University last weekend. The "Swing" Band out did themselves being compared with some of the better university bands in the Big Ten (and that was not hype!). While our band is not a "show" band like some of the other drum and bugle corps in the area; we came, we saw, and we left it on the field with a new group of devotees who understand that "Loud is Good".

Love One Another - Brian

"Quartet"

"Trio"

Two Great Leaders

"Duet"

"Did You Hear Something?"

"I told you, it was the voice of God!"

Warming up on the OSU Practice Field

Entering "The Shoe"

Ohio Stadium  is Immense!

"Seven Nation Army"

Up the famed Ramp

Our meeting with John Waters, the newly appointed director of TBDBITL

33 Bands Participated

Hudson's "Call Me" Drill on the field - a great honor

THE Ohio State Marching Band ended the day with an AMAZING routine
featuring this galloping horse.



"Lord, teach us to pray...." The ACTS Model of Billy Graham

I was driving home the other day from one of my teaching gigs when I started thinking about Billy Graham, the evangelist and American religious icon. I have always had a fondness for this defender of the Christian faith. My life has been blessed by three encounters with Graham over the course of the years and each time was as rewarding and memorable as the time before.

So when I arrived home, I jumped on the internet to explore what Billy Graham had to say about prayer and the spiritual life. I found many quotes and useful articles attributed to the North Carolina preacher. But the following article appeared on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website. Its simplicity immediately spoke to me. Sometimes, I believe, in discussing spiritual or theological matters, one can become overwhelmed with a lot of religious “gibberish”. Here, Graham is straightforward and offers common sense advice to those who desire a prayer life. I hope the piece is helpful for those readers who wish to commence on a journey of prayer. May it also serve as a reminder for others that sometimes "the basics" of prayer are the most rewarding and useful. Thanks be to God for Billy Graham.

“There is no formula to prayer—it is simply conversing with God. It is essentially talking with God as you would talk with an earthly parent who loves you and wants the best for you. God is your heavenly Father who loves you perfectly.

“The ACTS model will be helpful to you as you learn how to pray. ACTS stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

“• Adoration means worship. We encourage you to begin your time of prayer by adoring and praising God. Praise Him for who He is and for all that He has done for you. God delights in your praises!

“• Confession, the next component, means agreeing with God about the things that you have done wrong. It's a time to express sorrow about what you have said, thought, or done that is not pleasing to Him. Ask God to forgive you for these things, and then believe that He does so freely. When you confess your sins, you receive God's cleansing and this helps to remove any barrier in your communication with Him (read 1 John 1:9).

“• Thanksgiving basically means being thankful to God. Thank Him for His love, protection, and provision just to name a few things.

“• Supplication is the final component, and this means praying for your needs and for the needs of others, such as friends, family, your pastor, missionaries, government leaders, and persecuted Christians around the world. You may want to pray for such things as God's guidance, wisdom, and opportunities to serve.

“Keep in mind that the ACTS model serves as a guide to help you, not a rigid formula to follow. There is no "canned" approach that you need to take; just talk from your heart. There are additional steps that will help. Set aside a specific time to pray each day.

“Pick a quiet place where you can be alone with God. You will also find a special blessing if you begin your time by reading the Bible. Select a passage to read (download a Bible reading plan) and spend some time thinking about it deeply. Reflect on what God is impressing on your heart to you through the passage.

“Ask God to help you apply what you are learning. God wants you to share your heart with Him, and He wants to share His heart with you—this can take place anytime, day or night!” (Billy Graham, The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website)

Love One Another - Brian