Adele's "Hello" is the Best Christmas Song of 2015

It doesn't have jingle bells or sleigh rides.  It doesn't have any references to the Christ Child.  It contains not a mention of Santa and his reindeer.  It doesn't have any overt references to Christmas at all.  But I say Adele's "Hello" is the best Christmas song of 2015.  It's the song we need right now, and whether we know it or not-whether it was intended to be or not-"Hello" offers us a message from the Divine.

 

As far as I can tell, Adele may be the only voice this holiday season urging us to say, "I'm sorry."  From the first plaintive words of the song, we hear Adele describe the shame each of us knows and perhaps feels acutely during the holidays.

 

Hello, it's me

I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet

To go over everything

They say that time's supposed to heal ya

But I ain't done much healing

 

The song implies the words are intended for a lost love, but they could just as easily apply to an estranged child, parent or family member.  Today we can destroy relationships with a tap on our smart phones and share with the world our worst selves by clicking a mouse.  We don't think twice before posting unfiltered feelings, and because our news feed never stops, we never stop to apologize.  Only when we see the empty chair across from us at the holiday meal do we take time to think about what we've done to hurt others.

 

Adele's apologetic anthem seems like it's from another time period.  Perhaps that's why the makers of the song's video chose to have both her and her estranged lover use flip phones.  In the video, Adele even uses a phone plugged into the wall!  We've lost the art of apologizing via a phone call, much less through a face-to-face conversation.  Sometimes an apology by text just won't cut it.  As Adele sings, It's no secret that both of us are running out of time.  Surely this holiday season I'm not the only one with the nagging sense that I'm running out of time to say, "I'm sorry." 

 

This holiday season when news of mass shootings and vitriolic campaign speeches are piled on top of the usual overindulgence and rampant consumerism, Adele's "Hello" speaks to a desire in each of us to make right what we have done to hurt those around us.  

 

Saturday Night Live adeptly parodied the power of this song in a skit that had relatives around the Thanksgiving dinner table arguing over Syrian refugees and Black Lives Matter suddenly transformed when Adele's "Hello" is played on a nearby boombox.  Family members bitterly parroting cable talk show pundits each become "Adeles" complete with the fur coat and nail polish she wore in her video.  In 2015, maybe the stunning popularity of this song is because we are all "Adeles" concerned that it is too late to say, "I'm sorry."

 

If only Adele really had the power to transform our warring families, political leaders and nations into humble apologetic people capable of seeking reconciliation.  Sadly, not even Adele has that much power.  If only we had a holiday dedicated to someone with the power to show us how to make the words of Adele's "Hello" our own.

Grace and Peace,

Chase

Recommended Reading, Listening and Watching 12-15-15 Edition

Each week (more or less) I send out an e-mail to my congregation sharing my thoughts along with a list of things I’ve read, listened to or watched that I think are worth passing along.  Here's the latest.

Recommended Reading and Listening

CCCUCC Folks in the News Jan Parks was quoted in another KC Star story on the use of TIF money to subsidize a development in the west Crossroads District.  She, along with other supporters of KC Public Schools and members of MORE2--including me, believe this is a case of the KC government continuing to subsidize developmen in areas that will be developed no matter what.  TIF money is supposed to be used for blighted properties.  TIF money is disproportionately used in west KC rather than east of Troost Ave. in poorer and historically African American neighborhoods.  Furthermore, using TIFS in this case would mean millions of dollars that will not go to KC Public Schools or public libraries. United Church of Christ Great thoughts about Advent Joy by Missouri Mid-South UCC Conference Minister Ginny Brown Daniel.   Great thoughts by Kansas-Oklahoma UCC Conference Minister Edith Guffey on whether this time of mass shootings is our new normal and what that means for churches working for peace. I heartily recommend the weekly podcast from UCC General Minister and President John Dorhauer called "Into the Mystic."  This week's episode is on joy. Have you noticed our "Be the Church" banner we sometimes display on our church's front lawn?  A NJ UCC church has one and it was recently vandalized.  Here's how they responded. UCC and Disciples leaders express solidarity with Muslims, condemn religious hate speech. A California UCC church took a stand for Syrian refugees and they got some ugly responses. John Dorhauer's (UCC General Minister and President) blog post about mass shootings Responding to Anti-Muslim Rhetoric and Actions In my sermon on Sunday, I shared the terrific story in the Kansas City Star this past weekend about KC Chiefs player Hussein Abdullah's Muslim faith. Also in my sermon on Sunday, I mentioned this article about a hugely popular anti-Catholic and anti-Jewish newspaper published a century ago in southwest Missouri.  What's amazing is how if you take out the words "Catholic" and "Jew" and replace them with "Muslim" the same things are being said today. I signed a petition this week along with other faith leaders objecting to the anti-Muslim rhetoric of presidential candidate Donald Trump. I was sorry to miss the press conference last week of area faith leaders condemning the policy of the Kansas state government of forbidding Syrian refugees in the state, although I was certainly with them in spirit.   I'm grateful to these Kansas clergy who delivered a petition to the Kansas statehouse objecting to the state's refusal to allow in Syrian refugees. A century ago in SW Missouri the nation's largest anti-Catholic newspaper sold millions of copies. Replace "Catholic" with "Muslim" and it appears nothing has changed.  "Don't Make San Bernadino a Victory for ISIS": A sensible and reasonable op-ed by a Naval Reserve officer, Naval War College instructor, trainer of Navy SEALS, etc. who happens also to be Muslim. Of course, there is hardly anything "reasonable or sensible" happening politically in America right now.  Arizona Senator Jeff Flake visited a mosque in his state to demonstrate all Republicans aren't like Donald Trump. Muslims are often criticized for not condemning terrorists, but they issue such condemnations all the time.  No one pays attention. Climate Change The deal struck at the climate change meeting in Paris is a positive step, but Bill Mckibben points out that it is twenty years too late. Gun Violence An eloquent NY Times editorial that ran on page one wrestles both with the complexity of our gun problem and the great cost we all bear. It looks to me like Jerry Falwell, Jr. is just as bad as his father--as evidenced by his urging of Liberty University students to carry guns.  This school doesn't trust its students to hold hands but it's okay to pack heat? Brian McLaren has a terrific response to Jerry Falwell, Jr. and Liberty University noting that if Muslims are expected to call out their extremists then Christians should too. Another eloquent NY Times editorial "Despair Over Gun Deaths is Not an Option" published on the anniversary of the Newtown massacre. The Congressman who made the amendment prohibiting research on gun violence twenty years ago now regrets doing so. Why faith-based advocacy groups, including churches, have trouble making meaningful gun reforms happen. The satirical newspaper The Onion continues to run the same sadly ironic story after every mass shooting: "There's No Way to Prevent This Says Only Country Where This Regularly Happens" "Prayer doesn't fix things.  Prayers shows us what needs to be fixed." A great blog post by Timothy Tutt, UCC minister in Washington, D.C. and a friend of mine from seminary days. The (non-)War on Christmas The satirical newspaper The Onion once again shows through satire how ridiculous many American Christians are for claiming they are persecuted.   Ever wonder what the harm is in saying "Merry Christmas" to a stranger?  This thoughtful Jewish writer tells you her thoughts. LGBTQ Equality Let's all remember that the fight for LGBTQ equality is not over.  The story out this week about the  Kansas Department of Child and Family Services actively discriminating against same sex couples proves we still have work to do. Gratitude The story I shared in my sermon on Sunday about the boy saying grace and offering thanks for everything in the room came from this UCC Daily Devotional by Cameron Trimble, Executive Director of the Center for Progressive Renewal. Misc. Stuff I think is Cool A great UCC Daily Devotional by UCC minister Molly Baskette about breaking the cycle of being either a victim or a victor. A great devotional blog post on finding Advent hope. The  second season of the podcast Serial dropped this week.  I'm super excited. You can find more stuff that I think is worth reading, watching and listening to by following me on Facebook and Twitter.

A Letter to My Congressman, Kevin Yoder, re: Syrian Refugees

Dear Representative Yoder, On November 19, you voted in favor of H.R. 4038, "American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015"  or the "American SAFE Act."  In your November 24 e-mail, you say this act serves"to pause the resettlement program for refugees from Iraq and Syria until various intelligence and national security agencies certify to Congress that each refugee is not a threat." I write as a voting resident in your district and as a Christian minister to express my outrage at your vote and my utter disagreement with the motivation behind it.  You, along with members of both political parties who voted for this bill, have failed to live up to the high ideals of our nation. Although violent terror attacks are a real danger to our nation and the rest of the world, the "American SAFE" act does nothing to actually keep us safe.  Numerous media outlets have reported that the the process for vetting people seeking refugee status for U.S. Immigration is thorough and lengthy.  Those applying for refugee status can wait up to 3 years and must pass screenings by multiple federal agencies before their case can even be considered.  (For an example of the many articles detailing the intense process of screening refugees, see the October 2 article by Janell Ross in The Washington Post.) The "American SAFE Act" only delays further refugees from war finding a safe haven; it does not make the process better.   In reality, the motivation behind this bill is not to keep us safer, but to keep you safely elected. Voting for this act is a way for you to appease voters whose fears have been stoked by right-wing media that turn fear into ratings and profit.  By demonizing  people from the Middle East who are primarily of the Islamic faith, the "American SAFE Act" resorts to the lowest form of political scapegoating.  It may make you look good to conservative primary voters, but it is despicable.  By pushing for further delays for Syrian refugees, you make them twice the victims of ISIS.  First, they must flee their homeland because of ISIS.  Second, their opportunity to find safety is delayed if not refused due to your supposed fears of ISIS.  The "American SAFE Act" is essentially doing the work of ISIS rather than making us safer.  As you enjoy the holidays with your family, I hope you take time to consider the thousands of refugees fleeing war and terrorism who will not enjoy the hospitality of our great country. Further proof that your stated concern of making Kansans safer is nothing more than political theater comes when your record on gun safety is considered.  You have bragged about your "A Rating from the NRA," yet the most likely person to commit a terrorist act in our country is a white male with unfettered access to military-style assault weapons.  The killing of three people--including a police officer--and wounding of eleven more in Colorado Springs this week happens to be only the latest in over 1000 mass shootings which have happened since the slaughter of school children in Sandy Hook Elementary School.  I realize this does not concern you, since the killings of three people by white supremacist Frazier Glenn Cross at the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom right here in your own district (2 miles from my house!) did nothing to change your voting record.  My children practice "active shooter" drills at school the way I grew up practicing fire and tornado drills in school when I was their age.  Even my own house of worship--as the murders at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C. show--is not safe from domestic terrorism.  If you truly cared about keeping citizens in your district safe, you would work for common sense gun safety legislation rather than legislation that accomplishes nothing other than to punish people fleeing terror. It is widely known that you are a person of the Christian faith, but as seems to be the case with all politicians, you are peculiarly selective in your use of religion to promote your political views. In the Hebrew Bible and the Christian scriptures, the message is quite clear of God's concern for refugees.  Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and his sons, Moses, David, the prophets, and even Jesus and his parents are all forced to leave their lands due to threats of political violence and/or economic deprivation.  From the Torah to the Prophets, from the Psalms to the books of Wisdom, from the Gospels to the epistles, the Bible is full of declarations that God expects people with the power to help refugees to do so.   I realize that the demands of faith often run up against competing political concerns and even people of faith operating with pure motives can disagree, but the words of Jesus in Matthew 25 seem quite clear to me: "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."  Christ expects us to treat those considered least in the world as we would treat him, including Syrian refugees.  Only people of faith who have given themselves over to a political ideology that really cares nothing for "the least of these" can find a loophole in these verses. I urge you as a person of faith, a person of good conscience, and a duly elected representative who claims to care for his constituents to set aside political games like "the American SAFE Act" and use your power to make changes that will truly increase the safety of people in our society, a society great enough to welcome families fleeing war and terrorism. Sincerely, Rev. Chase Peeples

The Politics of Scarcity

On November 8th, I preached a sermon called "Scarcity vs. Abundance."  (If you missed it, can't remember it or just want to hear it again, click here.)  In the sermon, I made several points that I took from a great essay on the subject by UCC theologian and biblical scholar, Walter Brueggemann, "The Liturgy of Abundance and the Myth of Scarcity."  Here's a taste of it: We who are now the richest nation are today's main coveters. We never feel that we have enough; we have to have more and more, and this insatiable desire destroys us. Whether we are liberal or conservative Christians, we must confess that the central problem of our lives is that we are torn apart by the conflict between our attraction to the good news of God's abundance and the power of our belief in scarcity -- a belief that makes us greedy, mean and unneighborly. We spend our lives trying to sort out that ambiguity." Brueggemann persuasively presents the idea that one of the great themes of the Bible running from the creation story all the way through the teachings, life, death and resurrection of Jesus is about abundance.  God created the natural order with abundant resources for all, yet humanity continually seems to choose the way of scarcity.  The creation stories, manna in the wilderness, the miracles of Elisha and Elijah, the visions of the prophets, the poetry of the Psalms, the teachings and miracles of Jesus and more point to the reality that God provides enough for us if we will only acknowledge our place in God's creation and share it with one another.  Yet, despite what we say we believe, we live as if no abundance exists.  We only can have what we get for ourselves--getting that must come at the expense of others.  From our treatment of the environment to our rampant materialism to our lust for violence to our racism and xenophobia, we live according to the "myth of scarcity." One needs only to watch the presidential race this week to see the ideology of scarcity at work. Immigrants--documented or undocumented--all must be sent away.  Walls must be built.  There are not enough jobs, not enough wealth, not enough of America to share with the immigrants.  It is them or us.  Thee is no just way to share this wondderful and rich country. The old, the disabled, the unemployed, the disenfranchised deserve their lot.  The spoils of our capitalist system belong to the strongest and the quickest.  Nevermind the lobbying, the backroom deals, the racism and the exploitation of workers and natural resources.  Those who have the most wealth deserve the most wealth.  All others deserve their failures. More military spending is the only way to preserve the American way of life and keep America safe.  The needs of the rest of the world cannot be met.  They can only kept at bay to preserve our standard of living. Climate change is a myth.  Our environment is not in crisis.  We can continue to use more resources than the rest of the world without facing any negative consequences for our never-ending consumption. Marriage is for heterosexuals only.  By allowing same sex couples to marry, straight couples' marriages are devalued.  If marriage is for everyone rather than some, then everyone loses. The voices of scarcity win votes.  Fear is a powerful motivator.   My conservative friends would rightly say I'm picking on Republicans, and I guess they're right. Scarcity, however, crosses party lines.  I believe just about any politician, Republican or Democrat, will support the party platform of scarcity if it gets him or her elected.  We will see if the Democrats do any better than the Republicans this coming week at their debate.  I suspect the issues which provoke a declaration of scarcity may be different than the Republicans, but the politics of scarcity will make their presence known among the Democrats as well.  It's easier to run on fear and self-preservation than it is to offer a vision of a better world. Whatever your political persuasion, listen carefully to politicians of all parties.  Do they inspire you to live in a world where there is enough for all or do they fill you with fear because there is never enough? Grace and Peace, Chase

Recommended Reading, Watching and Listening 11-30-15 edition

Each week (more or less) I send out an e-mail to my congregation sharing my thoughts along with a list of things I’ve read, listened to or watched that I think are worth passing along.  I’ve been neglecting my blog lately and this list is from a while back, but the stuff on this list is still worth digesting if you haven’t seen it already.

Recommended Reading and Listening

CCCUCC Folks in the News  Jan Parks is quoted in a KC Star story on the use of TIF money to subsidize a development in the west Crossroads District.  She, along with other supporters of KC Public Schools and members of MORE2--including me, believe this is a case of the KC government continuing to subsidize developmen in areas that will be developed no matter what.  TIF money is supposed to be used for blighted properties.  TIF money is disproportionately used in west KC rather than east of Troost Ave. in poorer and historically African American neighborhoods.  Furthermore, using TIFS in this case would mean millions of dollars that will not go to KC Public Schools or public libraries. Great Blog Post by CCCUCC Member New CCCUCC member Allyson Miller has a great blog post describing Kristkindlmarkt to outsiders.  Read it and share it with your friends on social media. United Church of Christ On November 15, the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the UCC--the one our church happens to be in--elected a new conference minister, Rev. Dr. Ginny Brown Daniel.  You can read about her by clicking here.  I went to seminary with Ginny and have known her for years.  I can't be more excited about her election! United Church of Christ leaders condemned the violence in the name of religion and called on political leaders to welcome Syrian refugees.  More close to home, Edith Guffey, Conference Minister of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference UCC had letters in Lawrence and Oklahoma City papers rejecting fear mongering and calling for help for Syrian refugees. I had a blog post that made it on the UCC blog New Sacred last week.  It's an adapted version of something I wrote for "Thoughts From Chase." UCC General Minister and President and life-long Missourian, Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer reflects on the courage of Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel responding to racism on campus. John Dorhauer also has a weekly podcast called "Into the Mystic" containing words of inspiration for progressive Christians.  You can subscribe to it on iTunes or click here. Is the UCC brand helpful or hurtful in attracting new people to church?  This report has an answer to this important question. The Paris Terrorist Attack and Syrian Refugees This essay by Omid Safi of Duke University contains by far the most eloquent words I have read about the Paris terrorist attacks. They are written by a Muslim. If only people of other religions--mine included--could offer such words.  The Center for American Progress asked faith leaders to respond to the anti-refugee sentiment expressed by politicians over the last two weeks.  Responses include ones by UCC ministers. It's not often I agree with Russell Moore, head of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, but I'm glad to see a leader on the Religious Right speaking out for refugees and against the Islamophobia of presidential candidates.  Isn't it sad that the same Christians who will get outraged over LGBTQ equality based a handful of Bible verses will ignore the many many verses that speak of welcoming the stranger and identifying with the refugee forced from her or his land?  Here's a list of verses from the UCC about the biblical demand for people of faith to help refugees. NY Times columnist Nicholas Kristof reminds us of the fear mongering about Jews prior to WWII that kept Jewish refugees from coming to the US.  He says we are allowing history to repeat itself tragically if we refuse to allow Syrian refugees into America today. Here's another refresher on how Americans treated Jewish refugees before WWII and that treatment's similarities with today courtesy the Washington Post. Riverside Church pastor, Amy Butler, has inspiring words about how people of faith should respond in times of terror. Just in case you have any doubts, Jesus would welcome Syrian refugees. Church history scholar, Diana Butler Bass, reminds us that religious violence is not just an Islamic problem. When you reject Syrian refugees, you are rejecting Christ. Although you wouldn't know it from western media, Muslims DO condemn the Paris terrorist terror attacks.  The Bible is "crystal clear" about refugees. Racism  KCUR reports that Kansas City is still segregated. The cover up by Rahm Emanuel of Laquan McDonald's murder by a Chicago policeman proves structural racism crosses party lines. Republican or Democrat structural racism ensnares all in power Listen to this podcast of the NY Public Library where Ta-Nehisi Coates speaks about the systemic racism of America.  If you're white, his words will blow your mind.  His book Between the World and Me is still freaking out my brain and changing the way I understand the world. Do you suffer from "white fragility"? LGBTQ Equality Last week was the Transgender Day of Remembrance where people around the world remember the transgender women killed over the last year due to anti-trans violence.  Last Sunday, we took time in our worship to remember these women, including two transgender women in KC killed during the last year. The Human Rights Campaign has a great video in which mothers of transgender kids share their experiences.  The video includes one mom from the KC area who has visited our church. In the name of God, let's stop trans murders! Justice Don't give in to the myth of scarcity and the orgy of consumerism!  The United Church of Christ has "alternative Christmas presents."  Did you know that $25 can feed a refugee family? The Church of England made a commercial to play in movie theaters in the UK.  The only text and audio in it is of a recitation of the Lord's Prayer.  The commercial was banned proving once again just how subversive the Lord's Prayer is and always has been. Gratitude Yup, science says, choose gratitude and you will be happier.  (People of faith already knew this.) Misc. Stuff I think is Cool I expect the story of this documentary will show up in one of my sermons pretty soon. As an adoptive parent, I love to read adoption stories.  Each one is different.  Each one was far too difficult and expensive.

Recommended Reading, Listening and Watching 11-13-15 edition

Each week (more or less) I send out an e-mail to my congregation sharing my thoughts along with a list of things I’ve read, listened to or watched that I think are worth passing along.  I’ve been neglecting my blog lately and this list is from a while back, but the stuff on this list is still worth digesting if you haven’t seen it already.

Recommended Reading and Listening

Mizzou Protests and Racism on Campus Both I and CCCUCC Seminarian Bethany Meier were proud to stand with other KC area clergy and community groups at a press conference yesterday supporting the protests of black students at Mizzou.  Here's a story about it. Lewis Diuguid of the KC Star had two great opinion pieces this week offering some background on racism at Mizzou: 1.  "MU has a long, troubled history of racism that must be overcome," and 2.  "Missouri must work its way out of the spotlight for racial hatred, intolerance and bigotry" Jenne Osterheldt of the KC Star also had a great opinion piece about racism at Mizzou: "Racism at Mizzou is real whether you believe it or not" Barbara Shelly of the KC Star (it was a great week for Star opinion pieces) about the situation at Mizzou: "Mizzou, Ferguson and Missouri's Collective Failure to Pay Attention" Two accounts of racism on the Mizzou campus being nothing new--one from a black student, one from a black faculty member Another account of racism at Mizzou from a black alumna Protests at Mizzou, Yale and elsewhere have faced push back from critics charging the protesters don't respect free speech.  Here's a good response to that charge in the New Yorker.  Racism  Looks like KU is being more proactive on racism than Mizzou. TIME Magazine's cover story this week is about the family members of those murdered at Emanual AME Church in Charleston, SC.  The story deals with what forgiveness means and doesn't mean to these families. A provocative blog post on the UCC blog New Sacred about what it means to be "Black, Conscious and Christian" Starbucks Red Cup Uproar UCC minister, Emily Heath, has a great response to those Christians who are upset about Starbucks' choice of cups for the holidays. Renee Girard Philosopher and anthropologist Rene Girard died this week.  His thoughts about the significance of Jesus' death has greatly influenced my own thoughts on the subject.  You'll hear a bit about his theories in this Sunday's sermon. LGBTQ Equality CCCUCC's Seminarian, Bethany Meier, was a volunteer at the Reformation Project, a conference for people working for LGBTQ equality in churches who reject LGBTQ people.  Here's the keynote speech. Faith If you're a fan of the Trappist monk and spiritual writer, Thomas Merton, like me, you'll be interested in this interesting connection between his life and Missouri detailed inthis story aired on KCUR. A great reflection on the concept of "home" in this UCC daily devotional by UCC minister, Kenneth Samuel.