Hawthorn The Happy
ADVENT 2010
for Everyone
Fun with a Purpose
In this Issue . . . “Our Newest Value” -SarahLynne Anderson . . . . . . . . 2 “For Dad” Daniel Wicklander ................... 4 “DIY Backstrap Loom!” -Sarah Lynne Anderson . . . . . . . . 5 “A recipe for Hospitality” Vegan Mac and Cheese . . . 6 Prayers for Advent . . . . . . 7 Anti-Consumer Christmas Carols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 “Advent of a Beggar Kingdom” -J. Elizabeth Shirk . . . . . . 12 Missio-Dei News . . . . . . . 13
Holly Jolly Holly Its leaves are hung up high! But don’t eat the berries, Or you will surely die! Holly Jolly Holly Its wreath through winter blooms Just don’t eat the berries, Its juice will bring your doom. Holly Jolly Holly Its boughs are green and red Never eat the berries! Or you will wind up dead.
There are two trees The one that everyone knows reflection in the lake, wearing clothes
The second tree is actually the tree -P.W. Elverum
Our Newest Value Resistance, the newest addition to Missio Dei’s Rule of Faith, presents some unique challenges. Long left the “silent” value, it was also kind of included under Peacemaking when we talked about “nonviolent resistance.” Though I was a happy advocate of its explicit inclusion, on some level, I think resistance makes everyone a little bit uncomfortable from time to time. It doesn’t have the nostalgic virtue of “Simplicity,” or the monastic appeal of “Prayer.” No one complains about good ol’ Hospitality (accept when we feel obliged to offer it of course!) and it’s hard to argue against the historical and biblical precedence for “Peacemaking” as a value... but resistance? Even if you think you’re all about it, you have to wonder what the person means. Are they talking about protesting? Marching? Sitting around in someone’s foreclosed home (see our first issue)? Or, even if that last one makes you uncomfortable, could they mean something more extreme, like the draft burning that the Berrigan brothers took part in, or something like the bombing of buildings done by the Weathermen?
Not only do we have to worry about what kind of tactics “resisters” will employ, we also have to wonder, what exactly do they think they’re resisting. Is this about personal morality... like resisting premarital sex or the temptation to gossip? Or is it about real people, powers and institutions? As much as I’d like to, I’m not sure I can offer you very many answers to these questions, as I think these are the very issues Missio Dei will struggle with since we’ve named Resistance as a value. These are also the issues that caused this value to remain unnamed for so long. To speak personally, I have always felt a tension between peacemaking and resistance, which seems to be akin to tension between mercy and justice. When is it appropriate for me to speak and act boldly against injustice and sin, and when should I gently offer forgiveness or grace? Jesus doesn’t make this much easier for me. First he tells us that peacemakers are blessed, then he tells us that he doesn’t come to bring peace, but the sword. He warns us against judging, then lambasts the pharisees. 2
He also uses a whip to expel moneychangers from the temple. I imagine any similar action taken by a Christian today would be met with distaste, if not derision and scorn in most of our churches. It gets even worse when we start reading Revelation. I’ve always been uncomfortable with the book. The violent imagery and damning language has only seemed like fodder for the worst fire and brimstone sermons. The consequence of this being that I’ve always been a bit nervous about the second coming of Christ. How could I meet this vision with joy when it would result in the eternal damnation and torture of so many of the friends I’d been taught to love by the very same Jesus who would suddenly be dealing the smack down? I’m fairly certain that these contradictions in the life and ethic of Jesus are more a result of our misunderstanding and misreading of scripture than any fault of Christ’s... as if Jesus had some kind of split personality disorder or something, where his other (significantly less loving and understanding) half would suddenly get free reign at the end of the age. Revelation in particular seems to have been relegated to obscure and impenetrable status by many thoughtful folks, which makes me wonder why the early Christians found it useful enough to keep read
ing and circulating (fyi- our current canon came to be through popular use). I think they found it useful because it spoke to their immediate experience within the Roman Empire. As opposed to a vision of some far away future, threatening woes if people don’t convert to the burgeoning Christian religion, I see Revelation as more of a vision revealing the way things were and currently are. Written to wealthy churches in a part of the Empire known for its happy submission to Roman rule, John was calling the churches to turn from their lukewarm acceptance of the political and social status quo. This letter, far from some obscure Nostradamus-style prediction, was (and is) a poignant call to resist the cultural and political practices and structures that naturally lead to death, proclaiming the reality of the way of Life found in Christ. Yes, it predicts, in so much as it proclaims the ultimate defeat of death-dealing principalities and powers, but this primarily encourages us to resist those principalities and powers now. The hard words found in Revelation and through-out the Gospels are the language of this prophetic (i.e. truthrevealing) resistance that we are also called to engage in.
For Dad 9/10/10 “Our Father is a grave robber, not a grave digger.” Spray painted across a wall in the city, The sun shining on it. Some homeless person probably tagged it. Wait a minute, Jesus was homeless “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests But the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” What would it mean if He spray painted that? “Our Father is a grave robber, not a grave digger.” Now I finally think of Abraham, how when he was Promised more descendants than the stars in the evening sky... He saw me and you dad...and all our family and friends Lit up hanging in that black night. Or that faithful Sunday which will always be the first day Of the week. How he robbed that grave of our Messiah While it was still even dark Leaving only linen cloths and Myrrh and Aloes Grave clothes folded up by themselves And those women first eyewitnesses To that robbed grave Of its most precious contents Now how I wish that tomb was yours But now came your burial day. So say hello for me to Our Father the Grave robber. Without a single condition Except that you be free from death With not even the odor And reconciliations forever more. Love on you, Daniel Gary Wicklander 4
A Recipe for Hospitality
Vegan Mac and Cheese
Cooking Instructions:
(serves 10-15 people)
Cook pasta in a large pot. While pasta is cooking, preheat oven to 375ËšF, and combine and blend other ingidients with a wand blender. When pasta is tender, remove from heat, strain, and pour into two large caserole dishes. Pour blended sauce over pasta and place dishes uncovered on middle rack of oven. Bake until lightly browned and bubbly on top (approx 10-15 min). Remove dishes from oven and serve.
Ingriedients: Pasta: 3 Lbs Soy Milk: 3 Cups Water: 2 Cups Nutritional Yeast: 3 Cups Paprika: 2 Tbsp Garlic Powder: 2 Tbsp Salt: 2 Tbsp Firm Tofu: 6 Oz. Canola Oil: 2 Cups
Note: Ther are lots of tasty variations to this recipe! Consider sauteing onions and garlic and peppers and adding to mix after blending. You might also add tomatos or other vegetables. I once replaced the tofu with mashed sweet potatos which was a delicious variation. If you like a spicy kick, I once accidentally used cayenne pepper instead of paprika, which was SPICY! It was delicious nonetheless. Finally if the whole vegan thing throws you off consider adding grated cheddar on top for notso-vegan-mac-and-cheese. As with other recipes, experimentation leads to tasy delights, so get creative!
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PRAYERS FOR ADVENT Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year. It is, traditionally, a time of fasting and preparation. CALL TO PRAYER Magnificat...(3x)
[Light a candle to symbolize the presence of the Holy Spirit. Continue after a moment of silence.] OPENING PRAYER Sustaining God, help us to look forward in hope to the coming of our Savior. May we live as he taught, ready to welcome him with burning love and faith. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen MORNING READINGS Sunday: Isaiah 60:1-3 Monday: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Tuesday: 1 John 1:4-7 Wednesday: John 3:16-21 Thursday: Isaiah 40:1-11 Friday: John 9:1-7 Saturday: Luke 3:1-6 EVENING READINGS Sunday: Isaiah 11:1-10 Monday: Zephaniah 3:14-17 Tuesday: Matthew 1:18-25 Wednesday: Luke 2:8-20 Thursday: Matthew 4:14-16 Friday: Isaiah 2:1-5 Saturday: Luke 2:25-33
[open prayer after a time of silence]
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THE LORD'S PRAYER
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Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And leads us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil; For yours is the kingdom, And the power, And the glory, Forever. Amen.
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SENDING God our Father; God our Mother, you loved the world so much you gave your Son to liberate us from ancient powers of sin and death. Help us who wait for his coming and lead us to true liberty. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen
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CHRISTMASTIDE PRAYERS
[open prayer after a time of silence]
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Christmas begins on December 25 and continues for 12 days—until January 5th. It is a celebratory THE LORD'S PRAYER time honoring the coming of Christ. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be your name. CALL TO PRAYER Your kingdom come; Your will be done Magnificat...(3x) On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread [Light a candle to symbolize the presence of the Holy And forgive us our debts, Spirit. Continue after a moment of silence.] As we forgive our debtors. And leads us not into temptation, OPENING PRAYER But deliver us from evil; For yours is the kingdom, Creative God, breath of all life And the power, Through whom all things And the glory, are created and sustained; Forever. Amen. all sons and daughters flocks and herds, SENDING all birds of the air and fish of the sea Mysterious One, You walked this earth you wonderfully created as child and Creator and yet more wonderfully restored You touched the soil the dignity of human nature; quenched your thirst grant that we may share the divine life embraced this world of the one who came to share our humanity, brought life and light Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. love and laughter into dark and death-filled lives Creative God, breath of all life Through whom all things are created and sustained We bring to you our sacrifice of contrite and willing hearts. READINGS Day 1: John 3:31-36 Day 2: Matthew 1:18-25 Day 3: John 13:20-35 Day 4: Matthew 18:1-14 Day 5: John 7:37-52 Day 6: John 7:53-8:11 Day 7: John 8:12-19 Day 8: John 16:23b-30 Day 9: John 6:41-47 Day 10: John 10:7-17 Day 11: John 14:6-14 Day 12: John 15:1-6
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Anti Consumer Christmas Carols *To be sung at your local shopping centers all But the debit line still grows. through the holiday season
1. In a Consumer’s Wonderland to the tune of Winter Wonderland The TV’s on! Are you watching Another product! That they’re hawking One more thing you need To make life complete Welcome to consumer wonderland. In the stores You will hear it “Pricey Gifts! Show holiday spirit” That’s what they call it To get to your wallet Welcome to consumer wonderland. At the mall we can go out shopping And buy lots of stuff we can’t afford We’ll have lots of fun with our new toys Until we realize that we are still bored. When you shop! Ain’t it thrilling Until! You get The billing The money you owe, Stuff broke long ago, Welcome to consumer wonderland.
2. Uh Oh We’re In The Red, Dear to the tune of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Uh oh we’re in the red, dear. On our credit card it shows Christmas is almost over,
Shopping like Santa’s zombies, Sent our budget down in flames But all our Christmas spirit Helped the giant retail chains. I’m so foggy Christmas eve, Wondering how we’ll pay Christmas doesn’t seem so bright When our finances are tight. So here’s a plan for next year Let’s forget the shopping spree Let’s give a gift of love, so All our Christmas gifts are free.
3. Buy And Sell
to the tune of Silver Bells City sidewalks, busy sidewalks Lined with advertising It’s the big retail season of Christmas. Children begging for each new thing Toys for mile after mile And the mood of the season is clear. Buy and sell (Buy and sell) Buy and sell (Buy and sell) It’s Christmas time for consumers. Ching-a-ching (ching-a-ching) Cash registers ring (registers ring) Must we spend Christmas this way? Maxing credit, running debits, Buying things we don’t need With money we don’t really have. Children crying, parent sighing No time for family And the reason behind it is clear. (repeat chorus)
4. O’ Dumpster Are You Full of Food
to the tune of O’ Little Town of Bethlehem O’ dumpster are you full of food For us to eat today? I wonder why, when it’s still good The stores throw it away? Could it be that it serves them To make more than they sell? And giving it to hungry folks Won’t pay them very well. O’ Dumpster when I lift your lid What treasure waits for me? A winter coat? A basketball? A five-pound bag of peas? Though sometimes I get sickened But it’s not from the food It’s `cause I know that all their `trash’ Could feed my neighborhood. O’ dumpster, why have they locked you? You’re wrapped in chains today. Did you know it’s against the law To take what’s thrown away? But bolt cutters and crowbars Can liberate your fill! And make sure that it gets to folks And not to a landfill!
5. Profits
to the tune of Jingle Bells You’re eating up our lies And dashing to the stores Then all our prices rise And how the money pours If we don’t keep you drugged And watching your TV You might see the hypocrisy Then where would business be? Profits here, profits there, Profits everywhere Christmas time is funny, We smell money in the air Advertise, glamorize, Fool you with a flair. Let’s make sure that Christmas Is a businesslike affair.
6. Deck the Halls Smash the state and squat their buildings! fa la la la la la la la la It’s hard work, but we are willing fa la la la la la la la la Hundreds housed inside your mansions fa la la la la la la la la That’s our vision of expansion! Fa la la la la la la la la Break the concrete plant a garden fa la la la la la la la la Never ask to beg their pardon fa la la la la la la la la Let’s throw seeds like we throw punches fa la la la la la la la la Invite em to our homegrown lunches fa la la la la la la la la If we work to help each other fa la la la la la la la la We can learn from one another fa la la la la la la la la In our struggles we’re connected fa la la la la la la la la By every injury affected fa la la la la la la la la
7. Listen to the Message to the tune of Oh, Tennenbaum
Oh shopper dear Come over here And listen to our message. Oh shopper dear come over here And listen to our message. The women who toil In far off lands So you can wear Your favorite brands. Don’t get a break-from dawn `till dusk It isn’t right -- let’s make a fuss. When buying shirts and pants and stuff Ask were the workers paid enough.
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8. Slaving in a Sweatshop Wonder- We’ve come to his condo to kick down the door. land to the tune of Winter Wonderland
Door bell rings, are you listening? On your brow, sweat is glistening. You’re working tonight; it just isn’t right, Slaving in a sweatshop wonderland. Gone away are the good jobs Here today are the sweatshops They want you to sew Seven days in a row Slaving in a sweatshop wonderland. In Toronto, Woolworth has used sweatshops And they’ve paid the lowest rates in town. Ask about a union, they’ll say no ma’am. Homeworkers do the job for the poorest pay around. Later on, they’ll conspire How to raise prices higher The plans that they’ve made Won’t make us better paid Slaving in a sweatshop wonderland. Door bell rings, are you listening? On your brow, sweat is glistening. You’re working tonight; it just isn’t right, Slaving in a sweatshop wonderland.
9. Way Up on the Top Floor to the tune of Away in a Manger Way up on the top floor, where people can’t reach, The boss of the bussiness plans trips to the beach, He counts up his money and spits on the poor, While workers are angry and bang on his door. His company’s huge and it eats up the globe, It controls the TV and everything we know, His power’s not endless, he’ll run things no more,
Stop shopping his stores, stop supporting his banks, Don’t polish his shoes or build his big tanks. Come out in the streets, come out one and all, Come join revolution and his empire will fall.
10. Silent Night Silent night, peaceful night How can you sleep tonight? Soldiers occupy lands afar To feed more oil to polluting cars When will there ever be peace? When will there ever be peace?’ Silent Night, peaceful night We’ll survive through this fight Build your prisons, banks and walls We will work to dismantle them all. We’ll live a life of true worth, Come, live a life of true worth. Silent night, peaceful night Bankers quake at the site Of wealth distributed to the poor And debtors coming to even the score Once revolution is born (x2)
The Advent of a Beggar Kingdom She took a deep breath and reached far and hard into the depths of who she knew she was, though her accuser couldn’t see it. “It ent like that, see, it happen this way. I ent never in my life stole nothin’. A girl’s gosta eat, ent she? See him swagger in all his rich getup, and here I be freezin’ in tatters. He had food enough for three, shameful the way he be smotherin’ his face in it, like the world be endin’ today.” Their eyes narrowed and they turned and looked at the well-dressed man. One of the women asked in a small voice, “You are rather welldressed. Is there a reason why you chose to dress and feed yourself so well, then so mercilessly handed this girl over for judgment with out so much as offering to share your abundance?” “But that’s not fair!” He exclaimed. “This is my private property, I worked hard for it! Don’t I have the right to enjoy it without being hassled by every wretch who tries to wrench it from my hands?” They shook their heads in sadness. He clearly had not understood what it would mean for a servant beggar to become King. They acknowledged the small girl and the wonder and beauty of her creation and led away in pity the poor man who was so confused that the meek had inherited the earth.
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MISSIO DEI NEWS We have had a very busy summer! We had an intern from Goshen college named Josh Miller stay with us for three months. It was fun to have a “real Mennonite” in the house. He shared a room with Brett and took care of the Sattler garden and helped Jen get the Sattler garage ready to accomodate our new bike shop. It was a beautiful summer. We expanded the garden at Clare house and grew beans up the light pole on our boulevard. Isaac heade up a project, constructing a chicken tractor at Sattler, which now houses 4 new chickens. Shortly after those chickens arrived, Charlie built a coop at Clare under the back stairs. There are now three chickens there as well. Aubrey worked as a mechanic at Freewheel bike shop this summer, building many of the “Nice Ride” bikes for a new bike sharing program in Minneapolis. She also got a great discount at Freewheel and was able to buy all the necessary tools to set up a bike shop in the Sattler garage. Our plan is to offer the space
to help fix up and build bikes for our neighbors for donations. We hope the shop will get used a lot this coming spring. One of Daniels long time friends, Marty, moved up to Minneapolis this summer as well. He moved here for work and was planning on staying at Clare house until he could afford to move into an appartment. The job didn’t end up working out, so his stay was extended. He ended up really enjoy living at Missio Dei, and we really enjoyed having him. He decided that he would like to stay more long term and filled out an application, which we accepted. We are excited that he will be able to stay here with help from fund raising through the making room project until he can find employment (You can find out more information about this project and how to donate at www.MissioDei.com). Magali and her daughter Akari, who we have known for around five years, have also applied to move in. They will be moving into Clare house very soon. We also have a new community house, “La Casa De San Martin De Porres” which we call “La Casa” for short. It is the house next to Clare, which the Ellens family has been renting for sometime. Marty will soon be moving over there and we are still deiding which other community member will move in with him. Aubrey’s sister Annie also moved here this summer. She initially stayed at La Casa, but will soon be moving into Clare house to share a room with Sarah Lynne. As this issue is going to press, we are all looking forward to Thanksgiving. The houses will be jam packed with families visiting from out of town and Sarah and Brett will be flying to Orlando to visit Sarah’s family. We are sad to say that Isaac will be leaving us in January. He will be returning to Ohio to be with old friends. We will miss him a lot and wish him the best.
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About Us . . .
The Happy Hawthorn is a publication from Missio Dei based loosely on a liturgical calendar filled with fun and challenging content, plus news updates and prayers for the season. Missio Dei is an urban intentional community that includes residential members (in three houses) and members who live nearby. We are commited to following Jesus’ way of simplicity (seeking a sustainable life with a proper relationship to possessions), hospitality (inviting friends and strangers to share our life togther), prayer (being rooted in life giving spiritual rhythms), peacemaking (seeking non-violent ways to resolve conflict), and resistance (breaking our addiction to power as we get in the way of injustice). We are rooted in the West Bank of Minneapolis, committed to Anabaptist beliefs, and seek to embody the radical love of Christ in the shadow of Empire.
What We’re Reading . . . A People’s History of the United States -Howard Zinn The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down -Anne Fadiman Hard Times -Charles Dickens Galapagos -Kurt Vonnegut Thus Spake Zarathustra -Friedrick Nietzcshe What Justice Looks Like -Wazyatawin
Come Visit Us . . .
Sunday evenings at 5 pm, we gather to eat, pray, engage scripture, discuss, and sing together. We meet at Clare House (2717 S. 8th Street in Minneapolis). Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm we have an open potluck style meal, where we welcome anyone to join us in sharing our lives over dinner. We’ve had anywhere from 4 to 30 people join us. The more the merrier, so don’t hesitate to stop by! The meal is at Sattler House (3312 S. 31st Avenue in Minneapolis).
Looking to Help?
You can make tax emepmt monetary donations at www.missio-dei.com or you could help by giving us something from our needs list: Toilet paper Set of end tables or 2 Bike parts/bikes/ bike tools Food Dishwasher or laundry soap Computer in working order for Clare house Plastic window insulation for winter Insulation Dryer Lawn mower Non-folding, stackable chairs for Sunday Rubberized tread material for stairs outside Fence material Bedding Towels and washcloths Sheets- full, twin, queen Toiletries- toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap etc. Pillows (sleeping) Pillowcases Straw bales Electrical wiring supplies winter clothing Or anything else you might find helpful!
*For larger items email info@missio-dei. com to schedule a pick up
Missio Dei
2717 8th Street South Minneapolis, MN 55454
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