Interfaith Work

This semester at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), I took a pair of half-semester classes, “Judaism and its Interreligious Context” (taught by Dr. Yehezkel Landau) and “Islam and its Interreligious Context” (taught by Dr. Mahjabeen Dhala). Both were excellent classes with inspiring professors. Together, these two classes met the GTU Master’s requirement for Interreligious Studies. I combined the term papers to create a final paper called “Getting Closer to God Through Interfaith Work.”

I have finished the major writing for my Master’s thesis, titled “Range of Chaplain Engagement with Prisoners,” and am waiting for my thesis committee’s feedback on the last few chapters. I have to defend my thesis in early February 2021, which means spending two or more hours answering questions by my review committee about the 100+ page document and my research. I officially graduate in May 2021 with my Master of Arts – Christian Theology, with a Certificate in Spirituality and Social Change. I will continue my studies in the GTU Interreligious Chaplaincy Certificate program but I am happy to be done with my Master’s classes.

Getting Closer to God Through Interfaith Work

Introduction

This paper presents reflections on interreligious dialogue from the lived experience of two notable leaders. Based on conversations with Maha Elgenaidi and Rabbi Melanie Aron, and considering related scholarly material, I examine my next steps with regard to interfaith engagement in my work and ministry. The title of this paper comes from Maha Elgenaidi but I find it rings true for me as well. Interfaith work makes me feel closer to God. I am using this paper not only to document the accomplishments and views of two remarkable women but also to emphasize the benefits of interfaith work to the community. 

Please read the remainder of the paper at “Getting Closer to God Through Interfaith Work.”

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Jail Ministry News

Stepping Stones ministry first anniversary, 27 Oct 2019

A national Episcopal Church news story on our jail ministry in the Diocese of El Camino Real was published yesterday, “El Camino Real Episcopalians Continue Jail and Reentry Ministries Despite Pandemic,” by Sharon Sheridan. There have been other news stories about Stepping Stones and our jail ministries, but this is the first national news. Congratulations to the Rev. Peggy Bryan and team for a remarkable contribution to a community that is too often ignored! Even my work in jail with Education for Ministry got a mention.

Update: Another news story was published yesterday by the Diocese of El Camino Real in their newsletter: “$25 UTO Grant Awarded to Stepping Stones Reentry Ministry,” RealEpiscopal – News from El Camino Real, 15 October 2020.

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Help with Zoom

EfM at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Saratoga, California

Education for Ministry is holding an online training this week for its mentors, trainers, and other seminar leaders, many of whom are starting their annual terms this month. We have over 165 already signed up!

Cynthia C. Hargis, Diocesan Relations and EfM Online Coordinator, University of the South – School of Theology – Education for Ministry, asked Cheri Winter (EfM Coordinator and Mentor, Diocese of Colorado), and me (EfM Coordinator and Mentor, Diocese of El Camino Real) to give this session on how to use Zoom for EfM seminars. Our training materials are linked here, both for those who will attend the session and for others who may find them helpful:

• Zoom Technical Tips: EfM Zoom Tips 14 Sep 2020 (by Katy Dickinson)
• Creating an Online Environment of Hospitality: Zoom Practices for EfM Mentors 09 2020 (by Cheri Winter)
• EfM Event Evaluation form: PDF format – Zoom Practices for EfM Evaluation, Doc Format – Zoom Practices for EfM Evaluation (by Cindy Hargis)

We welcome any additional suggestions you may offer. Here are questions and answers from the live chat during the event – the start to an FAQ: Questions from Zoom Practices for EfM, 18 Sep 2020

The recording of the event is on Zoom Practices for EfM 9-18-20. All of the material from the event is also linked to EfM – Resources for Mentors – Webinar: Zoom Practices for EfM Mentors.

To learn more about EfM, watch this two minute video: https://vimeo.com/450619912

We opened with this prayer, by the Rev. Aaron Klinefelter of St. Jude’s Episcopal Church (Cupertino, California):

If you want to receive Katysblog posts by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! button (upper right on Katysblog home). Images Copyright 2019-2020 by Katy Dickinson.

Updated 24 Sep 2020

20th Wedding Anniversary on 4 July

John and I are looking forward to our 20th wedding anniversary this weekend. Thinking back on some of our adventures and looking forward to many more. It is fun to be married to your best friend!

2020 virtual family dinner
2020 Mother’s Day
2018 family vacation
2018 Paul SJSU graduation
2018 St Andrew’s
2017 Reno
2016 Ashland
2016 Ashland
2016 Dunsmuir
2016 Klamath River
2015 Amtrak trip
2015 St Andrew’s
2014 Lalibela Ethiopia
2012 St Andrew’s
2012 Natural Bridges
2012 Jessica CMU graduation
2011 Jessica + Matthew
2011 Jessica + Matthew
2010 Lair of the Golden Bear camp
Lair of the Golden Bear camp 2010
2010 Teatro Zinzanni
2010 Teatro Zinzanni
2010 Teatro Zinzanni
2010 Egypt
2010 Cairo, Egypt
2008 Flying to Baja Mexico
2008 Baja
2007 India
2007 India
2007 WP668 Caboose move
2007 WP668 move
2006 Dead Sea, Israel
2006 Dead Sea, Israel
2006 St. Peterburg, Russia
2006 Russia
2005 Beijing, China
2005 China
2000
2000 wedding
2000 wedding

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Images Copyright 2000-2020 by Katy Dickinson.

Process for Online Video Services

Since 2014, my husband John Plocher has been running the Video Ministry for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Saratoga, CA. What started out needing a few hours a week using spare equipment has grown vastly since the Covid-19 pandemic took over our lives this year. John now routinely spends 12 or more hours a week creating and editing videos of music and worship services using sophisticated software and hardware. (Some of which were paid for by a 2018 St. Andrew’s Opportunity Fund grant.) John has been mentoring Youth Group members for over a year to develop their technical skills and extend the Video Ministry. In the hope that recruiting and training even more helpers will reduce his own load, John has written these process documents.

Online Worship Services and Music

• An Overview
• The Structure behind our Online Ministry
• Online Service Recording Process
• Postlude Slideshow Guide
• Virtual Music Recording Guide

John has developed a chat and video best practices exchange group – contact me if you want to join. He publishes stand-alone videos of the classical and folk service music on  Saint Andrew’s Sings. Go there to hear “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” the “Navy Hymn,” a folk Taizé “Jesus Remember Me,” “Rest in the Lord,” “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise,” “We’ll Meet Again,” and other favorites. Or, hear the music as part of the weekly worship service videos. (More in my blog post New Music for Quarantine Times.)

I have been helping John by reviewing videos during development, finding memes for the end, and providing photos for preludes and postludes:

• Trinity – Images of God (7 June 2020 Prelude, 3 minutes) – based on my 2017 “Images of God” Katysblog post for EfM
• Stations of the Cross, Harare, Zimbabwe (14 June 2020 Prelude, 5 minutes) – with pictures I took during the TechWomen Zimbabwe Delegation, 2016
• Tocatta on Amazing Grace, Photos from Lalibela, Ethiopia (14 June 2020 Postlude, 4 minutes) – with pictures I took in Lalibela, Ethiopia, 2014

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Images Copyright 2020 by Katy Dickinson.

Silicon Valley and the Congo

Please consider joining me in donating to ERD. I am part of the Episcopal-Anglican Congo Network that coordinates information and support for the DRC. Violent militia raids against villages are common – causing people to flee to the relative safety of one of 60 internal refugee camps. Covid-19 and Ebola are active.

Think this has nothing to do with you? Congo produces 60% of the world’s cobalt, used to produce lithium-ion batteries for electric cars, laptops, and smartphones. We in the Silicon Valley helped to create this mess. Let’s work to solve it. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is coordinating much-needed aid. What ERD does: “Episcopal Relief & Development works in collaboration with church partners and other local organizations to facilitate healthier, more fulfilling lives in communities that are struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease.”

Recent stories from the Congo:

• “As COVID-19 and conflict surge, DR Congo displaced face deadly consequences of chronic underfunding” (Reliefweb, UNHCR, 9 June 2020)
• “Militia massacre: 20 villagers killed in northeast DR Congo – Civilians hacked to death with machetes and shot in the latest attack by militias that have killed hundreds this year.” (Al Jazeera, 17 May 2020)
• “No link between two ongoing Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo” (Reliefweb, UNHCR, 9 June 2020)
• “Congo artisanal cobalt programme expands with industry backing” (Reuters, 21 April 2020)
• “Congo Moves to Monopolize About 25% of All Cobalt Exports” (Bloomberg, 30 January 2020)
• “Are These Tech Companies Complicit In Human Rights Abuses Of Child Cobalt Miners In Congo?” (Forbes, 13 January 2020)
• “Apple and Google named in US lawsuit over Congolese child cobalt mining deaths – Dell, Microsoft and Tesla also among tech firms named in case brought by families of children killed or injured while mining in DRC” (Guardian, 16 December 2019)
• “Top tech firms sued over DR Congo cobalt mining deaths – Apple, Google, Tesla and Microsoft are among firms named in a lawsuit seeking damages over deaths and injuries of child miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo.” (BBC News, 16 December 2019)

Not all the news is bad, some Silicon Valley companies are working on recycling as an alternate solution to the problem of needing Congo’s  cobalt. For example: “Daisy is Apple’s new iPhone-recycling robot” (The Verge, 19 April 2018)

The Congo Network is chaired by the Rev. David Copley, Director of Global Partnerships and Mission Personnel, Ministries Beyond the Episcopal Church.

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Leading by Example

On Facebook, I have been posting stories which demonstrate leading by example. I disagree with Sharon Keating’s assessment in her Buzzfeed article yesterday, “Stop Sharing Viral Photos Of Cops Kneeling With Protesters”, in which she writes, “This movement is not about individuals.”  Systemic evil like our country’s racism and violence toward people of color was built up one person at a time. I believe this toxic system can only be torn down by each of us honoring each other’s importance as an individual, a valued and loved child of God. A moment of humble solidarity is important, is something we can build on and celebrate. Even though they may not last, I will continue to share those moments of leadership.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer)

Facebook Posts on Leading by Example

• Leading by example – Santa Maria Urban Ministry Food Pantry, open for impoverished families in San Jose during Covid-19 (SMUM website)
• Leading by example – Washington DC Mayor, Muriel Bowser: “D.C. Mayor Bowser has ‘Black Lives Matter’ painted on street leading to White House: The act was intended to honor protesters who had peacefully assembled earlier this week.” (NBC News)
• Leading by example – Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers: “US Church Leader Responds to Donald Trump.” (ABC The Drum)
• Leading by example – Washington National Cathedral Dean, the Very Rev. Randy Hollerith: “Dean Randy Hollerith passed out water and knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the time it took for the life to be taken from George Floyd.” (posted by the National Cathedral on Facebook, 4 June 2020)
• Leading by example – Right Rev. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury: “Trump brandishing a Bible ‘an act of idolatry,’ says former Archbishop of Canterbury.” (Episcopal News Service)
• Leading by example -“Black Lives Matter protest in Wichita changed to cookout with police” (Kansas City Star, Wichita Eagle)
• Leading by example – “Love in Action” Feeding the hungry (The Rooted Rector blog, Pacific Grove)
• Leading by example – Right Rev. Michael Curry, Episcopal Presiding Bishop, “Episcopal Bishop Cites Christian Gospel In Criticism Of Trump” (Rachel Maddow | MSNBC)
• Leading by example – former President Jimmy Carter: “Dehumanizing People Debases Us All” Jimmy Carter releases statement on George Floyd protests (Axios)
• Leading by example – “Vandalism to art” (video of artist painting over offensive wall graffiti with cupcakes and strawberries)
• Leading by example – “Video of Oakland police officers kneeling with protesters goes viral” (SFGate)
• Leading by example – “Some officers march and kneel with protesters, creating dissonant images on fraught weekend of uprisings” (Washington Post)
• Leading by example – “Police officers are joining protesters for prayers and hugs in several US cities” (CNN)
• Leading by example – “Watch: Boston officers take a knee in response to urging by protesters outside police headquarters” (Boston.com)
• Leading by example – “Protesters and Cleveland officers kneel, pray together during George Floyd demonstration at police station” (Cleveland.com)
• Leading by example – “Tense protest turns emotional as 60 North Carolina police kneel before demonstrators” (Charlotte Observer)
• Leading by example – former President Barak Obama: “Obama condemns violence and calls for change in wake of George Floyd protests” (CNN)
• Leading by example – former President George Bush: “‘End Systemic Racism’: Bush 43 Delivers Rare, Silent Rebuke to Trump – Calls for Law Enforcement to ‘Protect’ Protestors” (NCRM)
• Leading by example – “Tennessee National Guardsmen put down their shields during peaceful rally at state capitol” (MSN)
• Leading by example – Santa Cruz Mayor Justin Cummings and Police Chief Andy Mills: “Santa Cruz Police Chief with no riot gear, no backup, just kneeling with the local community, it’s that simple” (posted by Renata Rollins on Facebook – 30 May 2020)
• Leading by example – “This is how Miami Police met crowds protesting the death of George Floyd and racism in America.” (Pictures of kneeling police officers, posted by Jamie Lee Quickert on Facebook, 31 May 2020)

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Thanks to the Rev. Peggy Bryan for the “Faith can move mountains…” image!