Dear Friends:
 
As most of you may know by now the House voted 216-214 to pass the budget bill that we have given such great effort to these last many months.  As it happened, tonight I attended a reception to thank House and Senate champs for working to protect the Arctic.  The timing of the reception turned out to be at exactly the same time that the vote in the House was occurring.  Finally I got the word confirming that we had lost the vote.  In reflecting on the events of the day as I walked back to the office from the Capitol reception, I for the first time in a long while had a great sense of peace.  In the midst of the loss, there was much, for me, to be grateful.  While no doubt the cuts to those that live in the margins of our world are painful and wrong—and we should never forget that—I am mindful of how I was personally and professionally enriched by the opportunity to work with a community of colleagues as all of you.
 
The lessons we have learned, the efficiencies in communication we have developed, the creation of internal, ecumenical and legislative relationships where none existed prior, the motivation of those we called on to be our grassroots, and the passions that were expressed by our bishops are just a few of the gifts this advocacy experience has given me.

While we have lost a significant vote, our efforts changed minds and changed votes.  Over and over today, one member of Congress after another went to the floor to talk about our nation’s responsibilities to those less fortunate than ourselves.  They often used—awkwardly at times—religious language.  Tonight, the same thing happened, one member after another spoke eloquently about God’s creation.  It is clear to me that the definition of values has more meaning than that of a sexual nature.  That, in and of itself, is a real victory.  We obviously have much more work to do, but I hope that my personal reflections here express how deeply honored I am to share in this work and collaboration. 
 
 
Thanks,
John

Comments

2/2/2006 3:59pm -- I would like to share this with Episcopal Advocates everywhere it is a prayer from Fr. Richard Rohr and appropriate to times like these when it is hard to understand why our government has chosen a path alen to our greater call to care for the least of these.
Wanda Guthrie, Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Pittsburgh
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitue bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter". (Isaiah 5:20)
"On that day, the remnant will stop relying on the hand that strikes them, and will truly rely on God, the Holy One". (10:20)
Prayer of Lament and Liberation
God of all nations, the suffering on this earth seems too great, the oppression of your people everywhere cries out for healing and hope.  We do not understand how we have come to this sad place after so much opportunity, and grace.  We are not content, and we come to You with our complaints.
We are yearning for the freedom that You have always promised to the saints, the mystics, and the prophets.  We desire freedom of heart and mind for ourselves, truth an justice for all peoples, all creatures on this earth, and for the earth itself.  We desire to be useable instruments for the purposes of God.
May we not substitute our own darkness for anybody's light-- nor to easy light for any necessary and needed darkness.  Make us both humble and courageous at the same time, soft and strong together, properly bitter and properly sweet.  We offer this prayer in deep trust that You are a Compassionate God who is listening and even answering our prayer. AMEN.

2/2/2006 7:55 PM--Out of my experience at the witness for a moral budget on Dec. 14 in Washington, at Call to Renewal's Politics and Spirituality conference, and my work with EPPN, I have proposed to my Deanery (the Northwest Deanery of the Diocese of Vermont), and received affirmation of, a series of public forums on Moral Issues in Public Life. The forums will be held at four churches of the Deanery on the Fridays of September. We will invite a keynote speaker to each forum and request the presence of any and all candidates for office in Vermont. Each forum will address a different moral issue, probably including war and peace, healthcare, poverty, education, and the environment.
Linda Maloney+ St. Matthew's Episcopal Church Enosburg Falls, VT

2/2/2006 8:17 PM--For 20 years I worked on the staff of Members of Congress or as a lobbyist to the Congress. From both vantage points I can testify to the importance of citizens sending timely communications to their Representative or Senators. When reviewing material relating to a measure before the House, my Members would always ask, "What have constituents said on this?" I've even seen Members vote for/against a bill or amendment because of a single letter from someone back home. So, to those who wonder about the EPPN letters or emails we send, these communications are important and they DO make a difference.
Bob Boyd, Diocese of San Diego