St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

Over the last two weeks, two events have happened that are worth examining through the religious, or spiritual, lens. what I mean is that people are doing things that are irrational - they have little utility in themselves. They are responses to a feeling of being face to face with the transcendent, the infinite, or God.

From a Friend of a Friend

I'm writing to share the text of a letter we received from Barack Obama. Our group of friends here in San Diego has a small community service group for our preschool-aged children. We call ourselves "Preschoolers in Action." Our kids (ages 2 - 5) have done beach clean-ups, food bank drives, and other community action efforts.

I've mentioned that the best way to understand what Obama is trying to achieve is to study Harold Washington. I have, myself, a big photo of Mayor Washington on my desk.

Two articles describe how Obama works. One is from Newsweek.

From the Chronicle Review

Prophet and Pastor

To his former professor, congregant, and friend, Jeremiah Wright has been both

By MARTIN E. MARTY

Through the decades, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. has called me teacher, reminding me of the years when he earned a master's degree in theology and ministry at the University of Chicago — and friend. My wife and I and our guests have worshiped at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, where he recently completed a 36-year ministry.

The Real Jeremiah Wright

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ

Obama’s recent speech was a brilliant piece of rhetoric and oratory. It was composed, not in the period of one or two weeks, but over many years of gestating the varied perspectives he’s witnessed and experienced.

Obama’s detractors will never be satisfied. They will continue to ask why he didn’t abandon Wright earlier. But Obama demonstrated that he is not easily buffeted by political winds the way Clinton was and the political climate demands. He does not abandon his friends. Obama learned Peter’s mistake.

A couple notes:

The coverage seems to include much about "likeability" and election strategy. The discussion revolves around the competition rather than what the competition is about. The discussion becomes about the persons, rather than the policies.