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"Box Tickets"
Bishop Mary Ann Swenson
United Methodist Church
January 31, 2008
What I often hear from leaders is our need to "get out of the box." Usually that means a mental box, but sometimes the first step is more literal -- getting out of the four walls of the church building, going outside the district, the conference, the denomination. Last week, I got out of the country and my own faith tradition, and I learned much because of the journey.
The trip was organized for the Los Angeles Religious Leaders Council, including Rabbi Mark Diamond and Bishop Ed Clark of the Roman Catholic diocese; CST President Jerry Campbell, our own Leadership Team member Marion Gill and Pastor Cherie Jones were also part of the group, as well as a Muslim laywoman, Dr. Nur Amersi, among others. We traveled to Rome and Jerusalem: in Vatican City, we met with the Pope, and I was pleased to give him a copy of our Bishop Rueben Job's "Three Simple Rules" for living the Wesleyan Way (Do No Harm, Do Good, Stay in Love With God.)
For me, it was my first time to visit Italy, and as you might imagine, we saw many wonderful sights, enjoyed tremendous hospitality and friendship, and got really, really tired. We had important conversations, particularly in Israel, with different journalists who could articulate what it is like to live on a daily basis in the midst of profound political and military tension.
I found it all worth my time, because it gave me fresh insights into how to live my Wesleyan code in our zip codes: taking a trip like this with people who are different from me, into profoundly different places, gave me new eyes to see our own place of ministry. It renewed my conviction that any of our local issues are fundamentally expressions of global issues.
For example, on the last day of the trip, we visited the Bialik Rogozin school in Tel Aviv, a school for children who are refugees from 28 different countries. They were of all faiths, and virtually all were undocumented, just like many children in our southern California schools. Even if born and raised in Israel, they did not have permission to stay, and this school was attempting to nurture them in the light of an unknown future.
But looking into their faces, I could see they are the future: they are literally the face of hope, the picture of what is coming, and Jesus' words "Let the children come unto me, for to such belongs the kingdom of God" rang in my ears. I was so moved by those who had committed themselves to working with these children and on their behalf, how could I be any less committed?
So that is what stands out for me as I dive back into my work here on our behalf: a renewed commitment to working together not just among us as United Methodists, but among our multiple faith communities for the transformation of the world, starting locally. It is too big a job to stay in any one box anymore.
Your sister and bishop in Christ, Mary Ann
from the United Methodist Church California-Pacific Conference
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Ken and Marian Gill
Since touchdown two weeks ago in Los Angeles we have had an opportunity to thoughtfully reflect upon the amazing experience we had as members of the Religious Leaders of Greater Los Angeles Mission Trip to Rome and Jerusalem. During worship the first week of our return we, as choir members sang a very powerful anthem entitled "Thine O Lord" written by Craig Courtney. The text, taken from I Chronicles 29:10-13, seemed to describe some of the essence of what we experienced during our journey. We sang,
"Praise be to thee, O Lord, God of our father Israel, forever and ever. Thine is the greatness, Thine, O Lord is the power, Thine, O Lord is the glory and majesty; Thine, O Lord is the splendor and victory and everything in heaven and earth. Thou art exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from Thee; Thou are the ruler of all things and in Thy hands are might and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give our thanks to Thee. Now we praise Thy glorious Name. For everything in heaven and earth is Thine."
As the planned activities of each day unfolded it was like the perfect lesson plan of a master teacher to help us begin to gain insights into the very complex and multi-layered life experiences of those living in this part of the world. Each day as we heard from many high level representatives from the Vatican, Knesset, Rabbis, the Latin Patriarch, Journalists, and other important religious representatives in Jerusalem, we better understood the challenge of daily life as people in community with each other. We were encouraged to hear a spirit of dedication to finding better ways to be in dialogue with one another, seeking a safe path through all the history of disagreements and challenges faced by all who live here. As the words to our anthem reminded us, it is God who is the power, glory and majesty being over all and somehow leading to more enlightenment in ways of working together to solve such complicated problems.
There were many highlights during the trip but two were of interesting significance and warrant special mention. First was the experience of our evolving community as we began to meet one another and grow in fellowship and understanding of one another. We were from many backgrounds, ages, life experiences and current responsibilities. In no time it was exciting and inviting to realize we were all highly motivated to increase our understanding of this important part of the world and to somehow find ways to be supportive. This mutual focus made for interesting dialogue about a continuation of our relationship upon returning to Los Angeles with the hope of some mutually supported effort of assistance in the pursuit of peace. Second came as our last day together led us through the opportunity to begin our day with the stimulating input from David Horovitz, Editor -in-Chief of the Jerusalem Post, followed by an interfaith memorial service in remembrance of Yitzak Rabin. After this memorable beginning we had the unique opportunity to visit Bialik Rogozin School in Tel Aviv.
 
It was a truly moving experience to walk into their school auditorium and see the future of the world in the young faces of a fourth grade choir waiting to greet and sing for us. As we learned more about the school from the principal, Karen Tal, Yossi Vardi of International Technologies Ventures, school volunteers and others important to the unique work of this school, we realized this was a perfect example of transformative work through the efforts of many people committed to a new vision of learning together and supported by an international support system. What could be a more fitting finale to our trip as we viewed the results of hope for the future and the willingness to create a new path to prepare students for a better future.
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Patrick Powers, KGCHS
Lieutenant, Western Lieutenancy
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
I decided to participate in the Religious Leaders of Los Angeles trip to Rome and Israel in order to: broaden my perspective and understanding of the geo-political issues in Israel; to learn more about Judaism, Islam and other Christian faiths; and to meet with certain members of the Order in Rome and Jerusalem. The trip exceeded my expectations on all accounts!
First of all, it was an honor and a privilege to travel with, and get to know, each of the five rabbis that were with us. It was a real pleasure to share our Catholic history, faith and traditions with them in Rome, and they with us in Israel. For me, the connection between the two faith traditions was palpable when we stood in the Rafaello Rooms outside of the Sistine Chapel in Rome and saw the Stars of David in the many centuries old mosaic floor. It was also demonstrated in the ritual washing of the hands before the wonderful Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem, and then the washing of the hands by the priest in Sunday Mass. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the faith and traditions of Judaism, and I was especially struck by how many of our Catholic traditions were inherited from Jewish tradition.
The rabbis were especially interested in a couple of political and security issues that are affecting the Catholic Church in Israel, and were very helpful to us in bringing these issues to the attention of the proper government officials in Israel. Their help on these issues continues even today, and their solidarity with us on these issues is very much appreciated by us.
I was struck by the complexity of the geo-political situation in Israel-Palestine. Most Christians in Israel, Palestine and Jordan are of Arab ethnicity, and the members of our Order who serve the Christian community in the Holy Land tend to hear about the conflict mostly from the Palestinian perspective. One of my objectives was to get more of the Israeli perspective, and this trip was very beneficial in that regard. We met with Cabinet Ministers, Members of the Knesset, a reporter and the editor of the Jerusalem Post, religious leaders, and others. It was a wonderful opportunity for learning and understanding, and it was enhanced by the discussions that we had among our group as we travelled.
It was also a real blessing to travel with members of other Christian denominations. But even as we rejoiced in our common faith heritage, we couldn't help but be reminded of our differences. One of the saddest moments of the trip for me was when we attended Mass on Sunday and our Anglican and United Methodist friends could not receive the Eucharist with us because our faiths are not in communion with one another. I imagine it is a little bit like the tension that is sometimes experienced between Orthodox, Conservative and Re-constructionist Jews; understandable - but sad nevertheless.
One recent development that is encouraging is the letter that 138 Muslim clerics and scholars sent to religious leaders around the world in an attempt focus on the commonality between the three Abrahamic religions. We discussed this letter with officials at the Vatican and with religious leaders in Israel. This type of dialogue is a step in the right direction.
The visit to Yad Vashem was a morning that I will never forget. I have been to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., but this was different. We all want to believe that this will never happen again, but we realize that it is right now and that it will happen again, and that it might be Muslims or Catholics or Hindis, or some other people that suffer. We have to get to know one another. We have to interact with one another. We have to learn to appreciate our differences in faith, culture, and life style, and to be tolerant of one another. Only then will we lose our fear of one another and be able to live in peace.
To the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, I thank you for the opportunity to share this wonderful experience with you.
Shalom!
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Master Israeli musicians Wisam Gibran, oud, and Yossi Arnheim, flute, performed for the mission delegates in Tel Aviv at our final dinner before returning home.
Wisam offered this original piece for solo Oud, which he composed especially for the interfaith occasion. Click the "Play" button below - or go directly to this page on YouTube.
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