Unexpected Witnessing

From Canon Susan Russell of the Episcopal Church is a story of the witness that being inclusive can be. A hard morning's work talking to a meeting of bishops and then dinner. Over dinner the conversation continues and the young people serving them overhear the conversations. Read what happens at the bottom of the post on the "Walking with Integrity" blog:
http://walkingwithintegrity.blogspot.com/2010/09/amazing-day-amazing-witness.html

and Susan's conclusion:

While we were obsessing about perfecting PowerPoint slides and refining our messaging about the SCLM project, these earnest young people responded to the few crumbs of conversation they overheard at our dinner table like they were starving for hope. And if those crumbs gave them that hope and energy – and gave them the courage to come up to a table full of “church people” and say, “Wow … we want to know more about what you’re talking about!” then imagine how they and countless others like them are yearning for the banquet we set every time we gather to witness to God’s inclusive love.

(The work being done was about liturgy for blessing same sex relationships in the Episcopal Church. It was not about evangelising!)

wigs for judges?, or justice? (politics)

I found this on a Sri Lankan blog at http://blog.srilankacampaign.org/2010/09/is-colombos-middle-class-waking-up.html
an interesting parable about what we focus on for our political campaigns, is it wigs or justice itself that are important?
Perhaps a comment to be thought about for many of our daily activities!

Some things can be faked but it is dangerous to make them appear as fakes. The old fox Jayewardene who took away most of the substance of democracy from Sri Lankans made sure that all the appearances were kept intact. Sirimavo Bandaranayake’s coalition governments foolishly took away the wigs from judges and that caused such an upset that the minister of justice and his secretary later lost their civil rights. But Jayewardene virtually destroyed the independence of the judiciary while keeping all the outward appearances correct. Not many found fault with him.

But the Rajapakse regime not only wants all power to themselves they also want to make it appear that they have all the power. They not only want make elections a mere ritual without substance but they want to make them appear so. Jayewardene knew that it not wise to disturb Colombo’s middle class. The Rajapakses, on the other hand do not feel happy unless Colombo’s middle class stand to attention whenever they appear before them. They want not only to be big but also to appear big. To feel that way, they are trampling very openly on elections and courts. The two things that Colombo’s middle class attach some importance to.

That perhaps may prove to be too much of a mistake.

In the meantime, let us also remember the Sri Lankan situation and those who seek asylum here and the people who are left behind to survive in a nation after the end of the war there. Canberra has been the home for a number of people from this island over a number of generations. If the exodus from post colonial Ceylon is included then that means some very important people in my life!
And the gradual demise of democracy under the strains of tension in the society may be a worry for us in Australia as we look to the Parliament tomorrow to see how a minority government will govern. I know of three gatherings outside the Parliament that are planned for Tuesday 28th September. Our Women in Black vigil will again be at the back door as the workers come in for work. (7.30am-8.30am ish) Then a Climate Change group at 8.45 on the front lawns and at 12.30 a People's Assembly hoping to bring the plight of detained asylum seekers to the conscience of the nation. This Parliament will have a lot to do. May it work with good will, humour, clarity and do the job well. While I preach about Justice and Peace, perhaps righteousness needs another look. What is a righteous person? One who works well, with good will, humour etc? .

only in Ireland? (cat travel pass)

apologies for the LOL Speak here; Fred's comment was "only in Ireland!"

Dis kitteh, Lilou, hopped on a train to Dublin—wifout paying teh fare, ai might add—and waz later reunited wif her owners after staff tweeted abowt teh incident. Becuz, lyk all kittehs, Lilou iz a spoiled princess, she was issued her very own rail card. So nao she can take trips to teh Temple Bar district anytime she feels tirsy for a pint o’ Guinness!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Raimon Panikkar

Raimon Panikkar died last week in Spain. His funeral is today (3rd Sept 2010).

Peter Kirkwood writes an appreciation of his work in Eureka Street.
http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=23034

Perhaps his last book, The Rhythmn of Being will be the one which I finally actually read. I have known of his work all my adult life,  but not delved deeply into the multi faith dialogue which he exhibited in his own self as well as in his scholastic work.

The 2009 Compass program which focussed on Joan Hendricks features Raimon Panikkar;
http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s2601089.htm

the little details of government...

on Brian's blog http://www.nottoomuch.com/
good to have it written down!

The last day for the return of the writs with the formal election results is — wait for it — 26 October 2010. (The Electoral Commission does its best to make it well before then.) The Parliament must meet within 30 days of the day appointed for the return of the writs (25 November 2010). A Prime Minister lacking the support of the majority of MPs could hang on until them. Only if the House failed to support the government would the PM then be obliged to resign. The first test of this would be the election of a Speaker.

and the Greens/government agreement: http://greens.org.au/greens_labor_deal
The full agreement is five pages and worth seeing.