From the Minister's Desk - June 2010

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Walt's Desk

As Arizona enters into a time of increased political polarization, I find myself less, not more, sure of what I should do and what the role of this church should be.

I am more confident about the role of this church. We exist, in part, to help people discover their deepest values and then help put those values into practice. And here is the tricky part, to do that in a way that does not diminish other people who find other values or a different hierarchy of values or different ways of expressing those values. We, in this church, will not demand from each other agreement beyond granting to each other what we wish for ourselves. The right to follow our reason and conscience when faced with a complex world. We will support each other, even when it means having to explain to friends why we choose to remain in relationship in the midst of genuine disagreement. We owe that commitment to each other and to the world.

For myself, I believe that almost everything is more complex than any sound bite can possibly convey. And yet sound bites rule. Thrown into the world I have to choose sides (the existentialists are right in at least this - to refuse to choose is but another choice). I will cast my lot, insofar as I am able, with the vulnerable and helpless among us. I am for the underdog. I will champion the oppressed over the oppressor (they have plenty of allies and power anyway). I will cast my lot with those who live in fear and not those who would make us afraid.

"i am a jelly donut"' as Kennedy said in Berlin. (I have been told that is a literal translation or maybe a pun in German of Kennedy's famous line from his speech in Berlin). I like the phrase because I am not that powerful or important, but jelly donut or not, I will do what I can.

I am aware that their are people who are afraid of crime and violence and see illegal immigrants as a large part of that problem. I am aware that there are people who believe that the economy can not support the number of immigrants entering this country. I think they are wrong. But maybe I am. But I have to choose -- and I choose to stand with the family struggling to make a better life, rather that with those who have much and want more or are unwilling to give up any they have no matter the cost to others.

The moral and ethical question was asked more that 2,000 years ago, "who is my neighbor?" And one answer is 'the person at risk of arrest and forced separation from family and friends, not because they rob or kill or sell drugs, but because they wanted a better life."

All my best,   
Walt Wieder

wwieder@uuma.org

(tsims@bhsslaw.com)