Issuu

NOT A BOX— A HOME

However it happens, your old box will turn out to be too small for who you have become. You will need a bigger one with more windows in it something more like a home than a box, perhaps where you can open the door to all kinds of people without fearing their faith will cancel yours out if you let them in. If things go well, they may invite you to visit them in their homes as well, so that your children can make friends

Barbara Brown Taylor, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others (2019), p 210

Pushing Past Marketing to Equity

Occasionally, a church will ask me to come help them with what I will call their youth problem: they are aging rapidly (or at the age we all age, I guess), they struggle to attract young people, and they have a lot of passion for younger generations but not a lot of skill To their credit, they want to do the right thing and I believe for the right reason but their sense of how to make this happen in a meaningful way remains underdeveloped. . . .

I know that the fumbling around we are experiencing with the youth isn’t about a lack of fun stuff to do. It is more centrally about a lack of relationship, a lack of desire to be in relationship, and an inability to treat youth as our equals (or as better than us, as Jesus suggests in Mark 10:13-16)

In other words, it’s not a marketing problem even though many ministries treat it as such and spend a lot of energy and resources on the fringes of “cool” and “relevant.” It’s an equity issue.

Equity is one of those words that has gained traction the in the public lexicon with generally being used correctly. The word point to how people’s lives can be improved by having the same access to resources, to the sort of basic fairness

that can mean the unequal distribution of resources to people on different journeys through the same system (that’s why equity is different from equality). That’s hard work! But in popular usage it’s been boiled down to mean something like “diversity” or “inclusion,” which doesn’t say much and is probably the reason so many corporate DEI initiatives have stalled

It’s easier to simply focus on marketing.

What a bank typically means by “equity initiatives” is that they want to set up shop in a Black neighborhood, hire Black employees so it doesn’t feel weird, and create a new pipeline of Black customers But when those new customers don’t have the same access to loans or have to pay more to take them out then we understand that equity really meant “urban marketing.”

Churches operate the same way We want more of a certain type of people because it feels connected to our sense of faithfulness, so we’ll work hard to show them there’s a

place for them here. But when they come through the door, they are expected to do all the translating and figure out what the heck is going because church liturgies can be strange and inaccessible to newcomers with the good news that if they do the work of becoming more like us, then they will be fully welcomed Sounds like marketing to me.

Church equity

Equity, on the other hand, is less concerned with getting them in the door than with what happens to create a sense of safety and fairness once they arrive. Because a room half full of Black people (or a quarter full? What are you dreaming over there?) is impressive only if they get to experience their ethnicity and its idiosyncrasies in the same way most White people get to: as a norm, as simply the way things are, without much effort at all

Many youth ministries have trouble getting young people through the door a marketing problem But what’s more important is what we do once they arrive an equity problem. Because if we need for them to act as adults, then we really haven’t done anything besides create a space for them to be more like us And if they have to do all the work to get comfortable inside of our spaces, that’s not equity either Equity is about the people with the power giving up some so it can be shared better We often think equity is about giving them the space to do the work, when it’s really we who should be doing the work, not them. . . . Think of how difficult it would be to do a hiphop themed worship next [Sabbath] (or the

fourth [Sabbath] of every month) or how puzzling it would seem to sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in a month not named February, and you are closer to understanding how far we are from this thing called equity, where everyone truly has an equal opportunity.

If they do the work of becoming more like us, then they will be fully welcomed.

It’s easier to simply focus on marketing That’s what the corporations do at every festival and parade, as a way of reminding you that they’d like your business, too But we are the church, and it’s our business to create the beloved community, where everyone feels whole and dignified and humanity flourishes in the sight of God

And that “everyone” means we need to be in community with people that look, think, and live differently than we do Most of our spaces have taken that up as a marketing problem. Almost assuredly, it is something much deeper

Excerpt from “Why Church Marketing Won’t Work with Gen Z” by Julian DeShazier, The Christian Century, November 2024

InSpire

I learn by going where I have to go —Theodore

Roethke

Margaret Cho COMPOUND INTEREST

Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else’s life forever.

CHANGE AGENTS

New prophets are rising up who try to change the future, not just predict it.

Shane Claiborne

James 1:22 COUNTER DECEPTION

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

ABIDING CONNECTION

Prayer is most real when we refuse to say “Amen ” We most love heaven when we will not end our conversations quickly.

Calvin Miller

Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language

Introduction to the 28 Fundamental Beliefs EXPECTED

Ellen White EDUCATION

Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently Maya Angelou MOST VALUABLE

We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn.

#mychurchtoo

In the Malagasy language, fiovana means "change." Fiovana was a 5-year Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) implemented in the three Southeastern Regions of Madagascar: Vatovavy, Fitovinany, and Atsimo Atsinanana from 2019 to 2024

As the lead interviewer and writer for this book, I can say firsthand I witnessed incredible change in dozens of communities throughout southeast Madagascar. Writing a book of this magnitude is hard work It requires precise communication, detailed logistics, patient flexibility, and tireless endurance But all of that effort pales in comparison to the work of the local communities, who shoulder the responsibility of change not for weeks or even years, but for generations.

I was in Madagascar for two weeks Every day we drove for hours over some of the roughest terrain I’ve ever been on to reach some of the remotest communities I’ve ever been to. I had a short window of time to gather facts, interview key stakeholders, and compile my notes before rushing off to the next community. It was as rewarding as it was challenging But two weeks later, I was on a plane, I left the country, and I came back home.

The local communities, by contrast, are in this for the long haul. They are the ones who continue to work for the benefit of their children and grandchildren Young couples, community leaders, farmers and ranchers, mothers fighting for equality Many of them may not live to see all the changes to come, but they continue to believe, invest, and work They are the heroes, the saviors of their own story

I was not there as a hero, benefactor, savior, or even a humanitarian.

Changing tired tropes

There is a narrative in the western world about humanitarians and those we serve In the industry, they are commonly referred to as "beneficiaries," a term which, by implication, makes us "benefactors." We give and they take. We know best and they know little I don't fault the average person for thinking this way. As a former humanitarian communications specialist, I know how hard we work to keep these tired tropes at the heart of

the stories we sell To make our donors feel like saviors, we show people who must be saved. Poor, dirty, uneducated Without hope It is called a "need story" and I am guilty of helping to craft them.

“Mother Changemaker” advocates for equitable land inheritance for all women.

Working on this project in Madagascar was the antidote I needed. There was no " us " and "them" because everyone on the team was Malagasy except for me There was no "othering" because the stories were about the triumphs of the human spirit, not about the suffering of poor

I will let the people in the stories speak for themselves, but one in particular I keep coming back to is Fernande, a local "Mama Miova" or "Mother Changemaker," advocating for equitable land inheritance for women. She had this to say: “Because I saw the change in my life, I want other women to experience that change in their own lives You must change yourself before you can change others.”

"Fiovana" means "change," and I witnessed it firsthand Not just among the people I interviewed, but in my own heart as well. You must change yourself before you can change others.

Michael Rohm, a graduate of Union Adventist University, works with Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)

ERIN BROCKOVICH ReView

Normally in this Pulse ReView space we try to uncover little-known film gems. Erin Brockovich is different a fast-moving, legal drama blockbuster that catapulted Julia Roberts into Academy Award stardom Yet many miss the story’s underlying theme.

This is a film about change How people change How perceptions change How communities change How toxic, powerful corporations change. And as such, it’s a film about slow progress, the kind that often doesn’t make headlines Door-to-door, phone-calling, showing up, Stacey Abrams-style, stubborn persistence. Taking risks. Caring what happens to victimized individuals

The character development is impressive Consider these characters as you watch:

Erin Brockovich, odd hero Ed Masry, Erin’s boss George, Erin’s boyfriend

Brenda, law firm receptionist Theresa, “ugly shoes” lawyer Charles, creepy guy

Matthew, Erin’s son Pamela, skeptic PG&E lawyers

Any character in film or literature can be static or dynamic (how much they change), and flat or round (how much they are developed). In Erin Brockovich, time is taken to deepen interest in multiple characters so that this true-to-life film gradually grows to be character-driven, not plot-driven (most “action movies”) As a fun insertion, there’s even a cameo as a restaurant server from Erin Brockovich herself

In addition, we learn about environmental justice through “abatement orders” and “plumes of hexavalent chromium” and “immunotoxicology” and “arbitration.” The film’s viewers become students in the front row of the largest direct-action lawsuit in U S history It’s enough to make you want to cheer and then fight for a daunting cause.

What does it take to hold a $28 billion corporation accountable? (Courage, defiant optimism, creativity, and loving persistence )

How about a $15.6 billion church?

Or a 117-member church? Or a school with 61 students?

How do we change?

Top Ten Memorable Lines from Erin Brockovich

10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.

“Don’t make me beg. You can fire me if you want.”

“Did you tell them that?”

“Let the games begin.”

“They’re called boobs, Ed ”

“You might want to rethink those ties.”

“We’re gonna get them, Erin, aren’t we?”

“I want to know how the hell you sleep at night.”

“As it turns out, I wasn’t a very good employee ”

“Do they teach beauty queens how to apologize?”

“We had that water brought in special for you folks.”

Chris Blake

Erin Brockovich (2000) 131 minutes

Rotten Tomatoes 85% positive Rated R (language)

Written by Susannah Grant

Directed by Steven Soderbergh Available on Apple TV

InterAct

FOR THE LOVE OF THE PLANET

For thousands of years humanity has used the earth’s resources with little regard for sustainability Over the years we have learned that stewardship of the planet requires selfimposed limits on everything from fishing, hunting, mining, logging, even farming Sustainability is a delicate balancing act.

As we become more aware of our environmental footprint, we have to choose between old and new technologies. The whale oil of the nineteenth century gave way to fossil fuels. Technologies that used coal and petroleum are now (slowly) being replaced by new, renewable resources.

Plug In and Drive

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) all reduce the level of petroleum necessary to power our road trips. But the electricity required to power them must come from somewhere. And, depending on where we live, that means that coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, wind energy, solar energy, or hydropower are still necessary to power our vehicles Which energy source is most available in the United States?

Coal B. Hydroelectric C Natural gas

Petroleum

Renewables

D. Petroleum leads the list (narrowly) with 38 percent of energy consumed in the United States That’s followed by natural gas (36 percent) Nuclear electric power, coal, and renewable energy (wind, solar, hydropower, etc ) all tie for third at 9 percent each 1

Here Comes the Sun

Solar energy, electricity captured from the sun, emits 25 times less carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour than coal-powered electricity Since 2010 the price of electricity from solar panels dropped 85 percent. The solar industry in the United States plans to supply 30 percent of the energy produced in the country by 2030. Which countries use the most energy produced by the sun?

China

Germany

India

Japan

United States 2 3

A In 2023, China built more solar panels than the rest of the world produced in 2022 So with 32 3 percent of solar energy consumed in 2022, China comes in first The United States is next with 15 6 percent; then Japan, 7 7 percent; India, 7.2 percent; and Germany, 4.6 percent.

The Answer Is Blowing in the Wind

Wind turbine blades average 210 feet in length, with average turbine tower more than 320 feet tall taller than the Statue of Liberty Most of the components of wind turbines built in the United States are made in the U.S. The wind industry employs more than 125,000 full-time workers, including those in construction and manufacturing. But which country gets the highest percentage of its energy from wind?

A. Denmark

B. Lithuania

C Luxembourg

D. United Kingdom

E. Uruguay

A. In 2022 Denmark produced 55 percent of its electricity from wind. That same year Latvia had the largest percent increase when its capacity grew by 75 percent Filling out the top five were Lithuania, 45 5 percent; Luxembourg, 43 percent Uruguay, 35 9 percent; United Kingdom, 28 8 percent Commercial wind power is used in more than half the countries in the world

Power Up

Some of us are old enough to remember when batteries were single-use Put them in, wear them out, throw them away Those days began to disappear with recycling and the advent of rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable batteries now charge our phones, computers, toys, appliances, cars, etc. Most of those batteries 80 percent depend on lithium, a mineral mined in just a few places on earth. Which country has the most estimated lithium reserves?

A. Argentina

B. Australia

C Chile

D. China

E. United States

C. Australia is the global leader in mining lithium, with China the leader in processing lithium. But the country with the highest estimated lithium reserves is Chile

While it’s fine to celebrate advances in technology that use renewable resources, let’s not forget that often these advances are simply the means to maintain a standard of living to which those of us who live in industrialized countries are accustomed. It’s also important to recall that at least half of the world’s population lives a subsistence existence. Their access to fuel, clean water, electricity, and adequate food is extremely limited All the more reason to be mindful of our environmental footprint Technology developed to make our lives comfortable will eventually make life in developing countries survivable “The Lord God took the man [and woman] and put [them] in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Gen 2:15)

Stephen Chavez

JOIN US FOR A POWERFUL COMMUNITY

CONVERSATION

We’re diving deep into Troubling the Water by Ben McBride, a transformative book on bridging divides, dismantling injustice, and finding hope in activism. Whether you read it or are just curious, come be part of a meaningful dialogue on how we can collectively work toward justice and reconciliation.

WHO WE ARE

Pulse is the monthly digital magazine of JustLove Collective

This month’s issue is edited by Chris Blake and sponsored by a generous anonymous donor (Thank you )

Unless indicated otherwise all Bible references are from the New Revised Standard Version.

ALEC BLEHER

Lives in Atascadero, California with his wife and adorable 16-month-old daughter. He is trying to make sense of the madness that is our world right now and discover how Christ would have him respond. For now, he watches, he listens, and sometimes, he writes.

CHRIS BLAKE

Is Professor Emeritus at Union Adventist University where he taught Conflict and Peacemaking and Critiquing Film. He has also served as academy teacher, editor of Insight magazine, author of many books and articles, and pastor of two small churches

DILYS BROOKS

Serves as the campus chaplain of Loma Linda University, where she assists students, faculty, and staff to accept Christ’s call to become change agents in the world, including speaking truth to power on behalf of those who are “othered ”

LAUREN WEBB

Is assistant book editor at Signs Publishing Company, near Melbourne, Australia

MARCIA NORDMEYER

Is a circulation/reference associate at Union Adventist University's library in Lincoln, Nebraska. She is happily married to Jeremy Their two children are encouraged to read banned books

MICHAEL ROHM

Specializes in on-the-ground storytelling, feature writing and film production, with projects that include the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, gender equality in Madagascar, hurricane response in Abaco and Grand Bahama, and community development in the remote mountains of Peru His short films include sex trafficking in Thailand and ADRA's global education advocacy campaign

STEPHEN CHAVEZ

Retired after a career as a parish pastor, then as a staff member of Adventist Review He was president of Associated Church Press and is Director of Church Relations for Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International.

JOINT LETTER CALLS ON US SENATE TO BLOCK ARMS SALES TO ISRAEL

No More Bombing of Civilians

October 22, 2024

Dear Senators,

We, the undersigned organizations [including more than 30 religious entities], urge you to cosponsor and vote in favor of the four joint resolutions of disapproval introduced by Senators Sanders, Welch, and Merkley regarding several specific major arms sales to the government of Israel.

The joint resolutions of disapproval would suspend particular transfers of types of weapons that the Israeli government has used in strikes that have killed thousands of civilians, including aid workers and journalists, in Gaza over the last year. Independent human rights and conflict monitors have thoroughly documented the Israeli military’s use of weapons from the United States in attacks that have killed Palestinian civilians President Biden has described Israeli government attacks as “indiscriminate ” The joint resolutions of disapproval would block certain sales of joint direct attack munitions (JDAMs) and tank shells, which the Israeli military has repeatedly used in attacks that have killed civilians in densely populated areas The resolutions do not implicate missile defense systems

Israeli military attacks have killed more than 40,000 Palestinians and decimated Gaza’s hospitals, schools, critical infrastructure, and residential housing Human rights organizations have concluded that the Israeli military has repeatedly violated international humanitarian law Humanitarian groups have stressed that Israeli forces continue to restrict the delivery of humanitarian aid as hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza are on the precipice of starvation and suffering from the spread of deadly diseases, including polio.

As part of a larger escalation in Lebanon, the Israeli military has invaded South Lebanon and is carrying out airstrikes around the country, including in densely populated areas of central Beirut. These strikes have put civilians at grave risk and have killed over 2,000 people, destroyed critical infrastructure, an displaced 1.2 million people According to human rights organizations, these operations have included apparent violations of international humanitarian law

Continued arms transfers to the Israeli government are contrary to U S law and the Biden administration’s own arms transfer policy, which include restrictions on arms transfers to any country based on human rights, international humanitarian law, and humanitarian assistance criteria For example, U S law prohibits military aid to governments that restrict the delivery of U S humanitarian assistance As demonstrated by the National Security Memorandum 20 process, the Biden administration has not complied with these standards

The Senate will soon have the opportunity to demonstrate that it opposes further suffering and stands for the rule of law and the protection of civilians by supporting the joint resolutions of disapproval introduced on September 25. We endorse Senator Sanders, Welch, and Merkley’s resolutions and urge all Senators to cosponsor and vote in favor of their passage.

JustAction SIGN THIS PETITION

If you want to sign your name to petition the U S to cease arming Israel until the wanton slaughter of children and other civilians ends, visit here.

A NEW POLICY LAUNCHES

Aimed at Reforming Middle East Policy

A coalition of Americans usher in a new chapter for U.S. politics and policy on Israel/Palestine.

October 16, 2024

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former U S government officials Josh Paul and Tariq Habash, who resigned from government positions over fundamental disagreements with U S policy on Israel/Palestine, announce the launch of A New Policy and A New Policy PAC to represent the majority of Americans who seek change in U.S. policy toward the Middle East.

“The past year has shown us just how deeply damaging our policy in the Middle East is to the region, and to America,” said Josh Paul, a former Director in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. “We’ve spent billions of taxpayer dollars while sacrificing national interests and global credibility, the safety of all people in the region has been compromised while Palestinians, in Gaza in particular, endure immeasurable suffering, and now we’re on the brink of a regional war ”

A New Policy is unique as it focuses on relationship-driven, policy-oriented lobbying, while its partner organization, A New Policy PAC, will direct financial support to political

campaigns. The organizations’ singular focus will be on foreign and domestic policy towards Israel/Palestine, including bolstering civil rights protections in the U S to enable continued debate A New Policy is not affiliated with any specific political, ethnic or religious identities; as such, it can provide a broad platform through which Americans across all political parties can engage and make their voices heard

This past year has brought unimaginable suffering to Palestinians in Gaza.

“This past year has brought unimaginable pain and suffering to Palestinians in Gaza For decades, elected officials have compromised American interests in favor of funding Israel’s continued oppression of Palestinians,” commented Tariq Habash, Former Policy Advisor and Political Appointee in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development. “American voters are

clear: they do not want to be complicit in this humanitarian catastrophe and a majority want an end to the transfer of lethal weapons that are used to kill Palestinian civilians Elected officials have not kept up with the sea change in public opinion and A New Policy will work to close this gap.”

A New Policy believes that U S policy toward Israel and Palestine should:

Advance American national security and foreign policy interests in the Middle East, and should contribute to peace and prosperity for all Americans. Reflect American values in our policy toward the Middle East, including freedom, equality, and human rights, and should enhance the health, security, welfare, and prosperity of all peoples. Comply with American and international law, including laws, regulations and policies equally governing the transfer of arms to all countries in the Middle East, including Israel.

In pursuit of a just peace, A New Policy supports Palestinian freedom, equality and human rights, and believes in the Palestinian right to selfdetermination. A New Policy also supports an end to all forms of U S support for illegal settlements and, fundamental to the right of Palestinian freedom, an end to Israel’s occupation Moreover, the U.S. should ensure its role in any diplomatic or state-building process does not create incentives for the use of violence

A New Policy believes that the U S government should equally apply our laws that restrict U S assistance and arms transfers to countries and units that violate human rights; and, when they occur within those restrictions, A New Policy will push to condition U S arms transfers on Israeli compliance with human rights laws, as well as use the leverage provided by our security assistance to achieve progress toward a just and lasting peace.

A hopeful vision

Relying on foundational American values as our guiding principles, A New Policy will promote a hopeful, forward-looking vision that advances liberty, equality and human rights in Israel and Palestine.

Hardline lobbies have spent decades setting up political incentives that have skewed American politics, and by extension, American society away from a rational and moral policy in the Middle East. Meanwhile, there is no equivalent set of organizations promoting a fair and just policy centered on human rights and American interests and values A New Policy will be the voice for that just and balanced approach

Americans do not want to be complicit in this humanitarian catastrophe.

As a nondenominational, nonsectarian, nonpartisan American organization, A New Policy will educate members of Congress on related foreign policy, legislative, and regulatory matters, and will lobby government officials to urgently pursue long-overdue policies that reflect our American values, interests, and voter preferences, as well as comply with U S laws A New Policy works in partnership with organizations across the political spectrum.

For more information, visit anewpolicy org

ReView

GREET THE GARCIA GIRLS

Change is in the air, and lots of it. Change we choose, change that is forced upon us, cyclical changes, political changes, hormonal changes, changes we crave, changes we loathe. Good or bad, change is here whether we want it or not.

When asked to review a book about how we change, I was more than happy to select How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents (1991) by Julia Alvarez Novels are, for me, a change of pace and I gladly welcomed this mosaic of stories about the Garcias into my quiet moments of calm.

We witness

their

longing to feel “normal.”

As if flipping through a family photo album, we first meet the Garcia family and their four adult daughters, establishing that their story ends well. In reverse chronology, we gently step back in time uncovering the layers of family history that shaped the four daughters into the women we first met in the beginning. Alvarez shares the lighthearted highs of

innocent happy times and the universally applicable lessons learned in young adulthood and adolescence.

The Garcia family, members of the Dominican Republic’s high society, find themselves narrowly escaping with their lives and immigrating to the United States We witness their acclimation to American life, tested ties to Dominican roots, and their longing to feel “normal ” The four young girls’ traumatic cultural displacement is further seasoned by the intentional racism that greets them after enrolling in the local Christian schools

Some readers may struggle with Alvarez’s reverse-chronological storytelling; however, I found that the unique style gave the intimate feeling of watching a collection of home movies rather than one singular film

PS: This is now, in some places, a banned book. That, too, is a change

Marcia Nordmeyer

Go to Health

SELF-TALK FALLACIES SMOTHER CHANGE

Call them The Shabby Seven. When the mind reverberates with anxious misgivings, we can feel our hope and future constricting Unwarranted thoughts consume mental health

How might these fallacies impede progress? Which one do you most tend toward? What can anyone do to conquer them? (Avoid the fallacy of helplessness )

Feel free to share responsibly

1. Fallacy of Perfection

The belief that worthwhile communication should be able to handle every situation

2. Fallacy of Catastrophic Expectations

Assumption that if something bad can happen, it is going to happen

3. Fallacy of Causation

Irrational belief that emotions are caused by others rather than by one’s own self-talk

4. Fallacy of Helplessness

Satisfaction in life is determined by forces beyond your control

5. Fallacy of Approval

It is vital in life to gain the approval of every person

6. Fallacy of Overgeneralization

a. Basing a decision on insufficient information

b Exaggerating shortcomings

7. Fallacy of Shoulds

The inability to distinguish between what is and what should be

Heart and Mind

Face to face, in liminal space, God asks each person, “What happened with your life on earth?” Three salient options appear.

Point to ourselves bravado

“I was . . . ”

“I thought ”

“I accomplished . . . ”

Point at others blame.

“They caused me to ”

“They mistreated me . . . ”

“They wouldn’t ”

Point toward Jesus blessing.

“Jesus was the prime cause of every good and gracious thing.”

“His Spirit encouraged, guided, humbled, and freed me ”

“He is the reason I’m here.”

Bravado, blame, or blessing

To choose and acknowledge one, forever and now, is the point of life

Chris Blake

California filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against ExxonMobil yesterday, alleging the company spent decades deceiving the public about whether plastic could be recycled Despite knowing that recycling plastics was technically and economically challenging, the company still promoted recycling as a viable option. The lawsuit calls out ExxonMobil's attempt to blame the public for a plastic crisis the state’s top prosecutor says the company created. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state has spent over $1 billion each year to manage its plastic waste problems.

The state wants Exxon to admit that most plastic isn’t recyclable.

The attorney general's staff have uncovered numerous internal documents between the oil company and industry

executives, in which they seem to admit that plastic recycling is not effective, yet publicly claim the opposite, NPR's Laura Sullivan says. In response, the company released a statement asserting that recycling does work and that California is trying to shift the blame onto them due to its own recycling challenges The state wants Exxon to pay billions of dollars and to reeducate the public that the vast majority of plastic isn’t recyclable and is just trash

Brittney Melton, for National Public Radio’s “Up First” on September 24, 2024

RESPONSE TO KINSHIP INCIDENT

Silenceisnotanoption.

It is inexcusable for anyone to be subjected to sexual abuse We are saddened and angered when we learn that anyone has encountered or experienced such an ordeal And we acknowledge and support those who tell their stories of abuse To do so takes an enormous amount of psycho-emotional strength For individuals of any age but especially for children it can be challenging to articulate what happened Many often don’t even possess the vocabulary to express what they’ve been through And even when someone has the words, it still requires time, a safe space, and a welcoming community to begin the work of repair and moving toward healing

It's heartbreaking to learn that anyone has encountered or experienced sexual advances or assault at the hands of anyone This becomes even more egregious when the perpetrator is a trusted family member, church sibling, or a trusted spiritual leader clergy, church staff, or ministry team member Everyone in our faith community should be safe from abuse especially our children

We stand with the families of countless children and adults who have experienced sexual violence We want you to know that your story matters Sharing your story is a powerful step toward healing, accountability, and justice We encourage you to do so As you are able When you are ready

Remember, you are not alone Here are some resources to support your storying and healing

Resources

In the USA

Child Help Hotline

National Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support

In Australia and New Zealand

Survivor Services :: Adsafe GET SUPPORT :: Adsafe Training

Sexual Abuse Response Training

We at JustLove Collective support SDA Kinship's efforts in providing safe spaces to support LGBTQ+ people, especially our children. Given the recent specific events outlined below, we strongly encourage SDA Kinship to submit to an external investigation of their process and procedures for the reporting of childhood sexual abuse (CSA).

Please read the following statement from SDA Kinship

October10,2024

STATEMENT FROM THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST KINSHIP INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Seventh-dayAdventistKinshipInternational(SDAKinship)isanaffirmingandinclusivecommunity forLGBTQIA+currentandformerSeventh-dayAdventistsandtheirfamilies,friends,andallies.

InMarch2024,threemembersofSDAKinship’sBoardofDirectorsreceivedareportofanunethical sexualencounterbetweenapastorandaKinshipmemberthatoccurredattheEuropeanKinship MeetinginSeptember2023.ThemembermadeareporttotheHanseaticConferenceofSeventh-day Adventists,wherethepastorwasemployedatthetime Whentheconferenceleadershipreceivedthe report,theyfollowedtheirprotocolforallegationsofsexualmisconductbypastoralstaff,whichincludes aninvestigation,interviews,andconfidentiality Kinshipcommendsthemforthisprocess Thepresident ofSDAKinshipfollowedthecounselofKinshipGermanyandtheHanseConferencetonotmakepublic statementsduringtheirinvestigation.Thepastorresignedshortlythereafterandisnolongerinvolvedin KinshipGermany’sactivitiesorcommunication

SDAKinshipisdevastatedthatthisincidentoccurred,andthatKinship’svaluesofsafety, community,andrespectwerenotupheld Thepastorbehavedunethicallyandreprehensibly Hehas beenremovedfrommembershipwithSDAKinship Inasafecommunity,allmemberssharea responsibilitytooneanother.HisactionsdonotrepresentthecareorethicsKinshipexpectsfromits membersandfrompeopleinpositionsofpower,anddonotalignwiththetypeofcommunityKinship seekstofoster.

BecauseSDAKinshipprioritizesthesafetyandtrustofallmembers especiallyyouth Kinship’s BoardofDirectorsiscommittedtoleadingwiththefollowingactionswithinthenextsixmonths Completeaninternalreviewofallpoliciesandprotocolsregardingallegationsofsexualabuseor misconductatKinship-sponsoredandassociatedevents Thesepoliciesandprotocolswillbe updatedinaccordancewithbestpracticesinordertoprioritizecommunitymembers’safetyand dignity.

ProvidetrainingonsafeguardingandmandatedreportingtoKinship’sBoardofDirectors,leadership team,andregionalcoordinators.

UpdateandexpandtheCodeofConductthatcoversallKinshipleadersandmembersinallKinship spacesandevents,whethervirtualorin-person.

Offerworkshopsandongoingeducationtoallmembersontopicsrelatedtopersonalhealthand communitysafety,includingconsent,sexualabuse,andmentalhealth

Kinship’sBoardofDirectorscaresaboutthesurvivorandtheirfamilyandwillsupportthelocal leadershipofKinshipEurope,whohasthemostdirectengagementwiththepeopleinvolved SDA KinshiphasaresponsibilitytoprovideeducationandsupporttoLGBTQIA+currentandformerSeventhdayAdventists,theirfamilies,friends,andallies.Membersworldwidewillbeabletoregisterforthe resourcesmentionedabovewhentheyareavailable

Whenweareincommunity,whathappenstooneaffectsallofus.Kinshipencouragesyoutoseek supportfromacredentialedmentalhealthprofessionaliflearningofthisincidenthastriggeredor harmedyouinanyway

Kinship’sCodeofConductappliestoallKinshipleadersandmembersaswellasattendeesat Kinshipevents Reportanyunethicalactionsorbehaviortoinfo@sdakinshiporg Allreportswillbetaken seriouslyandhandledaccordingtoKinship’sstatedpolicy.

NOT ALL CHANGE IS GOOD

This morning began with a CNN headline story by fact checker Daniel Dale, titled “Six days of Trump lies about the Hurricane Helene response.” Dale noted that Republican nominee for president Donald Trump has been one of the chief sources of the disinformation that has badly hampered recovery efforts.

Trump has claimed that the federal government is ignoring the storm’s victims, especially ones in Republican areas, and that the government is handing out only $750 in aid (in fact, the initial emergency payment for food and groceries is $750, but there are multiple grants available for home rebuilding up to a total of $42,500, the upper limit set by Congress) He has also claimed falsely that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is out of money to help because the administration spent all its money on Ukraine and undocumented immigrants.

Trump’s lies are not errors. They are part of a well-documented disinformation strategy to overturn democracy by using modern media to create a false political world. Voters begin to base their political decisions on that fake image, rather than on reality, and are manipulated into giving up control of their government to an authoritarian. Russian

collapse of the Soviet Union called this manipulation “political technology ”

MAGA Republicans insist on the right to lie, considering any factchecking “censorship.”

They developed a series of techniques to pervert democracy through this virtual political reality They blackmailed opponents, abused state power to help favored candidates, sponsored “double” candidates with names similar to those of opponents in order to split the opposition vote and thus open the way for their own candidates, created false parties to further splinter the opposition, and, finally, created a false narrative around an election or other event that enabled them to control public debate

Media is the enemy

Steve Bannon became the chief executive officer of Trump’s 2016 campaign. He then

served as chief strategist and senior counselor for the first eight months of Trump’s term, during which he worked to put MAGAs in power across the administration and across the country

“The Democrats don’t matter,” Bannon told a reporter in 2018. “The real opposition is the media And the way to deal with them is to flood the zone with sh*t.” Keeping listeners constantly trying to defend what is real from what is not destroys their ability to make sense of the world Many people turn to a strongman who promises to create order. Others will get so exhausted they simply give up As scholar of totalitarianism Hannah Arendt noted, authoritarians use this technique to destabilize a population. . . .

[WEL2]

In his autobiography Mein Kampf, or “My Struggle,” Adolf Hitler wrote that people were more likely to believe a giant lie than a little one because they were willing to tell small lies in their own lives but “would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods.” Since they could not conceive of telling “colossal untruths they would not believe that others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously.” He went on: “Even though the facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think that there may be some other explanation ”

people will believe a big lie sooner than a little one; and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it.”

The Big Lie

The MAGA movement is now based in the Big Lie Its leaders refuse to admit that Trump lost the 2020 election Trump’s running mate, Ohio senator J.D. Vance, two days ago actually said Trump won, and as media figures more frequently ask the question of MAGA lawmakers, they continue to dodge it, as Arkansas senator Tom Cotton did today on NBC’s Meet the Press, and as House speaker Mike Johnson did on ABC News’s “This Week.”

Russia, Iran, and China generate 20% to 30% of political content and comments on U.S. social media.

Finally, create a false narrative around an election.

The U S Office of Strategic Services had picked up on Hitler’s manipulation of his followers when it described Hitler’s psychological profile It said, “His primary rules were: never allow the public to cool off; never admit a fault or wrong; never concede that there may be some good in your enemy; never leave room for alternatives; never accept blame; concentrate on one enemy at a time and blame him for everything that goes wrong;

Now, though, their lies about the federal response to Hurricane Helene show that they are completely committed to disinformation…. MAGA Republicans insist on the right to lie, considering any fact-checking “censorship,” a position to which Vance pivoted when Minnesota governor Tim Walz asked him if Trump won the 2020 election MAGA Republicans have created an alternative political reality, aided in large part by the disinformation spread on social media by X owner and Trump supporter Elon Musk. They continue to be aided by foreign operatives, as well This morning, on CBS’s Face the Nation, Senate Intelligence Committee member Mark Kelly (D-AZ) warned, on the basis of information he has heard from the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the National Security Agency, that Russia, Iran, and China are generating about 20% to 30% of the political content and comments on [U.S.] social media.

Heather Cox Richardson, historian “Letters

“I will be on the streets”

With all the rank xenophobia and racism coming from the Trump campaign this week, stuff that’s been simmering under the surface all along but now raging to the forefront, I believe we have officially reached the point where we can start determining where people would have stood if they had lived in early 1930s Germany

If Trump and Vance’s rhetoric isn’t too much for your moral sensibilities now, Hitler’s wouldn’t have been either Remember: Those Germans didn’t have the Holocaust or the Kristallnacht or the concentration camps or the mass executions to judge Hitler by. Those didn’t exist and no one at the time imagined that horror All they had was the rhetoric of a supposed populist, the vile and dishonest things he was spewing about Jews and other “undesirables” people he hated for the color of their skin or their cultural heritage alone

If I seem extreme or alarmist, I invite you to look for yourself at what Trump and his allies are saying Watch their clips, read their words Yes, I have forced myself to watch his rallies and yes, it is as painful you’re imagining it is I cannot sit through an entire rally, but I’ve watched plenty of uninterrupted minutes

Trump wants mass deportations of undocumented immigrants He is now including Haitian migrants in this plan, spreading lies about their criminality and various other ways they are hurting “good” American citizens You think he’ll stop there? Who’s the next “undesirable” on Trump’s list? What he is suggesting is ethnic cleansing.

I believe we can now determine where people would have stood in 1930s Germany.

I for one will not stand for it. To all my undocumented neighbors, if Trump is somehow elected and he starts trying to send federal agents to round you up, I WILL be on the streets standing between you and them. If I have to take rubber bullets, pepper spray, fire hose blasts, or arrest well, I know I’ll be in good company.

Alec Bleher, Facebook post on September 17 (U S Constitution Day)

Among the new offerings for next year is Do Not Be Afraid, a devotional book by Signs Publishing book editor and JustLove Collective’s own Pulse teammate Nathan Brown Contributions to the devotional line-up by authors from the South Pacific are rare, which makes this book a noteworthy achievement, as well as a source of encouragement for the year ahead. Do Not Be Afraid explores the most repeated command in the Bible in its various forms: “Do not fear,” “Be not afraid,” “Fear not,” “Be courageous,” “Do not worry,” and more. However, the book is not limited to these verses Rather, Brown uses these biblical assurances as a foundation to tell again afresh the greatest story of hope and courage In a world where fear is both an acute response to the terrors and terrible circumstances caused by sin and an exploited tactic used by sinful people, God wants us to know that “an enemy has done this” (Matthew 13:28).

Through Jesus, God is bringing everything that creates fear to an end Our hope and courage are founded in His justice, mercy and love. While the theme of Do Not Be Afraid was inspired by an in-depth study of the Gospel of Luke as part of a graduate study program in 2017, Brown’s sensitive exploration of fear, courage and hope testifies to his sustained empathy and advocacy for those who suffer

Adult Devotional

His insights were further shaped by the circumstances in which he wrote, including a family illness, a friend’s death, and other challenging life experiences

Nathan’s insights on hope were shaped by a family illness and a friend’s death.

Courage and hope are essential if we are to respond to our personal problems and the challenges in the world around us Do Not Be Afraid reminds us that God’s plan is beautiful, the cause is noble and that courage is worth cultivating so we can show others what God is really like. Available on its own and in a box set with Ellen White’s Conflict and Courage* a book that explores complementary themes Do Not Be Afraid is a book worth investing in for yourself and as a gift for others.

*(A Brown and White set Ed )

Lauren Webb

Do Not Be Afraid

Nathan Brown

HOW CAN A CONGREGATION CHANGE ITS CULTURE?

Envision Less Structure and More Organism

c i a l M u s i c

A woman recently told me she had been asked to be a trustee at the congregation where I am now an interim pastor. “I turned it down,” she said, “because I don’t like working with structures.”

She might benefit from a change of metaphor: congregations are living organisms. They need tender, loving care from all those concerned pastors, lay leaders, ordinary folk serving a multitude of roles or simply showing up for worship

Church structure is important. But church culture matters, too: It’s what makes any organization a living organism Think of structure as the skeleton and culture as the circulatory system. In a healthy organization, the two must be compatible

Interim pastors intervene in congregations facing troubles or dealing with the departure of a long-term pastor, and they often recommend structural changes But structural changes do not necessarily change the culture Congregational culture takes a long time to change. It’s like turning a ship around you have to do it slowly, or it might capsize So longer-term pastors are probably in a better position than interim pastors to bring about cultural

change: It takes persistence, patience, and time. Besides, as Peter Steinke says, “There’s no universal treatment for every organism or congregation.”

Four Rs of church culture

What is church culture? It consists of the things that churches do habitually, reflexively, without necessarily thinking about them Culture is hard to legislate It’s not something that can be put into bylaws, a constitution, or a congregational handbook.

David Brubaker is an organizational consultant who has worked with congregations for nearly 40 years. Drawing from David Augsburger, he offers four “R” words to identify organizational culture, each of which is expressed in both formal and informal ways:

Rules, from standard operating procedures to unspoken taboos

Roles, from organizational charts to more casual understandings people share

Rituals, from worship and other ceremonies to informal celebrations and laments

Roots, from official history documents to deep but unnamed emotional ties

Brubaker asks organizations like churches how their culture has changed over time. Organizational culture is so hard to change, says business theorist E H Schein, “because it represents the accumulated learning of a group the ways of thinking, feeling and perceiving the world that have made the group successful ” What’s more, “the important parts of culture are essentially invisible.”

How is a congregation’s culture made visible? One way is how it treats and cares for pastors. Another is how its pastors work with lay leaders and nurture their gifts Both elements are part of the culture.

What stories does a congregation tell about itself, and who are the storytellers?

Does an atmosphere of criticism and gossip prevail in the congregation, or one of affirmation and encouragement? I know of one congregation said to have “a culture of carp” as in complaining, not fish. What stories does a congregation tell about itself, and who are the storytellers? Whose voices matter more, both officially (in congregational meetings) and unofficially (at coffee hour)?

What do congregations do to build internal relationships? What do they do outside their four walls as mission to the community and the broader world?

Who uses the church kitchen? Moreover, who controls it? In some church buildings, this is the most contested territory there is My daughter was once told, “You don’t belong in here” while using her own congregation’s kitchen for an official church function

How long does it take?

How long does it take newcomers to feel at home in a congregation? When my spouse and I made a geographical move 11 years ago, we visited quite a few churches We went back to

one congregation three times, hoping it might provide a spiritual home for us. On the third Sunday, I asked a friend from that congregation, “How long does it take to feel part of this congregation?”

“It took us a year,” he replied

Back in the car, I told my spouse, “I don’t have a year to make this change ” We didn’t go back again.

Congregational discernment and decision making is one area where some restructuring might actually help with cultural change. One simple technique for improving discernment: In congregational meetings, no one can share their own perspective without first saying what they heard the previous speaker say Congregations that want and need cultural change need to keep asking these questions: Who are we as a people?

What is God calling us to be, to do? What are we here for?

What promptings of the Spirit suggest some changes in our life and mission?

Cultural change in a congregation demands wise, spiritual, and skillful leadership along with good structure. It also needs congregants who ask themselves, How is my participation in this church caring for it as a living organism?

This condensed article by Richard A Kauffman appeared in The Christian Century, September 2024 issue

INSPIRATION

Podcasts We Just Love

COLLECTIVE

A House on Fire: This Adventist Peace Fellowship podcast series is based on the excellent book on race and racism

Adventist Voices: Weekly podcast and companion to Spectrum designed to foster community through conversation

The Social Jesus Podcast talks about the intersection of Jesus, faith, and social justice today

INSPIRATION

COLLECTIVE

Red Letter Christian Podcast: Christian commentary on the way of Jesus in the world today

Adventist Pilgrimage: A lively monthly podcast focusing on the academic side of Adventist history

Just Liberty: A fresh, balanced take on religious liberty where justice and liberty meet

Gratitude

As we launch, we are particularly grateful for every contribution to JustLove Collective. Donations are tax-deductible. Though we are a global movement of volunteers, we do need to pay for expenses related to this magazine and to the Summit For more information, please see our website at justlovecollective org

$500

Norma and Richard Osborn

Something Else Sabbath School

Anonymous

Yolanda and Chris Blake

Jill and Greg Hoenes

Julie and Ty McSorley

Elizabeth Rodacker and Ed Borgens

SDA Kinship International

Adela and Arpad Soo

Harry Banks

Eileen and Dave Gemmel