Here is our list of upcoming Transmission events for the summer. We meet at 7pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Please click on Contact to join our email list and receive announcements with addresses and directions for our events.

Wed July 7: host-Isaac, cook-Isaac, Patrick, Violet, ritual-Dan and Amber – we will be blessing Katie, Issac, and Patrick’s new apartment
Wed July 21: host-Dan, cook-Dan, ritual-Bowie
Sat July 31: planning meeting, location TBD

Wed Aug 4: host-Mabel, cook-Isaac, ritual-Patrick
Wed Aug 18: host-Johannes, cook-Violet, ritual-Isaac
Sat Aug 28: planning meeting, location TBD

Wed Sept 1: host-Patrick, COOK AND RITUAL NEEDED
Wed Sept 15: host-Sarah, cook-Mabel, ritual-Johannes
Sat Sept 25: planning meeting, location TBD

First, I think that it is important to really realize how much suffering there is in the world.  On Monday, 5 US. and 13 Iraqi soldiers died in an attack in Iraq along with at least 51 other civilians.  11 Iraqi children were killed in a bomb attack in Iraq over the weekend.  And all over the world people are suffering and dying.  On Monday approximately 1,400 people became infected with AIDS, 95% of them live in developing countries without ready access to medical care.  On Monday almost 3,000 children died of Malaria and 16,000 children died of hunger.

And tragedy can strike us on our own American soil as well.  Every year in the US. 1,500 children die due to abuse and neglect. 3,000 children die as a result of gun violence, 30,000 Americans commit suicide, and 160,000 Americans die of lung cancer.  These are all estimates, but this list of tragedy can go on and on.  It does not include those who die of accidental drug and alcohol overdoses, pollutant caused cancers, car accidents, etc. etc. etc.  When reading a list like this it is hard for the mind (and even harder for the heart) to comprehend.  The individual lives turn into statistics and figures, and even the figures congeal into one big ball of despair that just sticks like a lump in our throats.  We can neither swallow our pain nor let out our cries of anger and sorrow.  And so we become numb to the horror of it all and try to move on with the monotony of our lives.

But then an event happens like the shooting at Virginia Tech.  Comparatively the deaths of 29 students and 4 faculty should just be another drop in the bucket of our world’s sorrows.  But there is something different about this event.  It is not just the fact that the people involved were so young and their deaths were so senseless.  It is all of those things and it is because we can identify with these victims.  We have all sat in classrooms where we felt safe and secure, whether in college or high school.  The students and faculty who died on Monday were all people like us, who had no reason to assume they were in danger, and yet a force of unreasonable terror came and cut their lives short.

Such an event rips away the veil of fog from our minds and shocks us back into the reality of this world.  It loosens the lump in our throats and allows us to morn openly.  When tragedy is brought home we get the chance to revaluate our lives and cry out to God.

So what is a proper response?  How do we eliminate the pain and resolve the conflict between the loving God that we long to know and the cruel world that we know all to well?

First we grieve.  And we grieve knowing that God grieves with us.  In the Talmud there is a story about how the Israelites rejoiced after they crossed the Red Sea and escaped to freedom.  But rather than rejoicing the Talmud tells us that God was weeping for the dead Egyptians who washed up on the shores of the Red Sea, for they were also God’s children.  And again in 2 Samuel we are told that when a plague struck the people of Israel “the Lord was grieved because of the calamity.”(2 Samuel 24:16)  How can we interpret this?  Can God be moved to tears and regret?

In Genesis 6:6 we are told that “The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth and his heart was filled with pain.”  And so he sent a flood which almost destroyed God’s creation.  If God could cry real tears, and if God knew the suffering of God’s beloved creation we can be assured that God’s tears would flood the world. There is the old children’s story that when ever it rains it means that angels are crying in heaven.  How fitting it is then that just before the shooting at Virginia Tech the East Coast experienced one of the biggest rain storms in the past century.

I would like to add to this fable a new story.  In Genesis 1:1, before the world was created we are told that “The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”  In other words we are never told where this water came from; it was there before creation.  Maybe God contemplated for an eternity before he created us.  Maybe in that contemplation God knew all of the pain and suffering that we would have to go through if we were given the gift of life.  And as God thought about this God wept.  God wept bitterly before the beginning of time for all of the misery that we would suffer in our lives.  So, in response to the horrific shooting at Virginia Tech let us grieve with our creator.

But then God moved on.  God did create us and so God must have had hope that we would be able to overcome this suffering. (Rom 8:18-24) 

There is a proper time and place for grieving.  “There is a time to everything, and there is a season for every activity under heaven.”(Ecc 3:1)  Once the time of grieving has past we must also move on.  We must not let our grief drag us into despair, or numb us back into the fog of indifference from which we have been aroused.  We must transform our grief into action, or we will drown in our own tears.  This action is born of hope.  The hope that we can make a difference and that we can prevent such tragedies from happening.   This hope was instilled in us from the very fact that we were created and it is promised to us by God.

But simply to hope is not enough. Saint Augustine once said, “Hope has two children: anger and courage. Anger at the way things are, and the courage to change them.”  We are saddened by the tragedy at Virginia Tech and we are outraged at a society that seems to breed hatred and violence.  Therefore, let the tragedy at Virginia Tech become a rallying cry to all people who have faith in the Lord and hope in God’s promises.  Let it be a call for us to take action against the evils of our society.  Let us get angry and respond to this act of violent hatred with an act of violent love.  Let us fight this evil, not by pointing fingers and throwing stones, but by letting down our guard and opening our arms.  Let us embrace our neighbors and tear down the walls of segregation that leave people feeling isolated and cut off from their fellow human beings.  Let us expose our hearts and gain strength from our shared imperfections.  And let us turn away from images of worldly power, greed, and violence, and look toward God in faith, hope, and love.  Only then can we begin to dry the tears that threaten to pour down from the ends of the earth and engulf us all.

Iraqi story:

AIDS statistics: http://www.until.org/statistics.shtml

Malaria statistics: http://www.amref.org/index.asp?PageID=50&PiaID=1

Hunger statistics: http://www.bread.org/learn/hunger-basics/hunger-facts-international.html

Gun violence and children statistics: http://www.neahin.org/programs/schoolsafety/gunsafety/statistics.htm

Suicide statistics: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suifacts.htm

Child abuse statistics: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/fatality.cfm

Lung Cancer statistics: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1x_What_Are_the_Key_Statistics_About_Lung_Cancer_15.asp?sitearea

* Readings from Song of Songs
w/ pomegranates, figs, apricots, honey & wine
* Body Prayer
* Dancing
* Dinner, dessert & more

~ feel free to bring chocolates, wine, flowers and friends

LINKS
St. Valentine
Romantic Love
The Song of Songs
Bowie’s column on the S o S
Sexy Jesus (track 9) by Wayne & Wax

Jenn & Isaac facing back of hall, originally uploaded by bowiesnodgrass.

Hi. We’re planning to do an Easter Service at Avalon (used to be Limelight), in Holy Communion Episcopal Church – which was founded by William Augustus Muhlenberg . It is a happy coincidence that his feast day this year is on Easter, April 8.

AVALON – Avenue of the Americas @ West 20th Street
6pm – all are welcome

Come join us for an experimental melange of ritual celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. We’ll be touching on the story of King Arthur and Avalon, will have fabulous music (coordinated by Isaac Everett), creative prayer stations, and communion (it is Holy Communion Church, so we’ve sorta gotta).

We will also be focusing on Mary Magdalene’s role in this tale. Mary was one of Jesus’ best apostles, both during and after his time on earth. In the early centuries of Christianity, the church conflated Mary Magdalene with prostitute characters in the bible – and for the next millennia and a half, most christians believed Mary was once a worker in the world’s oldest profession. Maybe she was. Jesus hung out with a lot of hookers.

And so did Muhlenburg. In the 1870s, this priest set up a network of Episcopal dioceses to participate in the Midnight Mission , a radical outreach effort for sex workers (which for him included both mistresses and brothel workers). In a very 19th century way, his effort was to help these fallen women find new homes in wholesome, Christian houses in the country…

130 years later, we find ourselves in a very different NYC. But in America 2007, sexuality is still a great divider and money something we don’t like to talk about‚Ķ so it‚Äôs time for us to start living a little more like Jesus. Let‚Äôs have a party for Easter and celebrate the first women who knew that Jesus was no longer dead, but alive… again!

Please contact us if you would like to participate in this effort.

Our first planning meeting will be held on February 21st (Ash Wednesday). We will have a short ritual to kick off Lent, followed by a meeting with food. More details to follow.

To read full text, see more pictures, and read more letters, visit
www.myspace.com/thomasjsnodgrass5

Dear Jackson,

Tears and laughter, blood, betrayal, singing and dancing, Hebrew and primal scream – this has been your second week.

I guess this biggest news of this week is your conversion from Animism to Judaism. The Jewish midwife, who was good enough to assist with your birth on the Sabbath, recommended I call 1-800-BABY-BOY, which connected me with a really nice Rabbi named Jehoshua Krohn who exclaimed that you needed a Bris right away, and offered us a cut rate for letting you be a quick stop between other gigs.

Rabbi Krohn is a full-time Mohel, and he came to our apartment on Wednesday morning. The way this guy scampered through canting in Hebrew would have embarrassed any professional rapper – not to mention anecdotes and plenty of quotes from the Tanakh, Midrash and other sources, which he was good enough to translate for your mommy and daddy. Then came the operation. Now, I thought I’d be able to hide out in the other room during the cutting, but no. It was your daddy’s job to hold your legs while you reclined on my lap and your mommy held your arms. Like your natural child-birth, your circumcision was drug-free, the rabbi just dipped a rolled-up gauze pad in some Manischewitz and let you suck it down. Quite a liking you took to that Manischewitz, which I must confess we’ve used a couple times since to ease your painful memories of the event (which we celebrated later that night by acquainting you with the Jewish Elvis, Neil Diamond, in the Jazz Singer movie).

At the Bris you were given a Hebrew name. Your father suggested Gyuri, after your… How do we put this? Okay. My mother’s uncle in Hungary was a composer and professional pianist who disappeared in Russia during the Second World War. Either he was sent on the Russian campaign by Hitler, or he was kidnapped by the Russians during their occupation of Hungary, we’re not sure. Either way, he probably died in a forced-labor camp, although of course there is some chance he’s alive somewhere, playing the piano. The rabbi said that, first of all, the name Gyuri would have to be shortened to Uri, its Hebrew root, and also that we should not name you for someone who died tragically without adding something, which he proposed be Chaim. So your Hebrew name is Chaim Uri, meaning “Life to his light.” You’re recovering Okay, and your Daddy’s just getting to the point that seeing your wounded little wang doesn’t turn his stomach. Your mommy and I will understand if you’d like to continue as a practicing Animist or pagan, but wanted to have this option open for you, to be Jewish. And, of course, should you ever wish to be Christian, they’ll be more than happy to have you.

With a wolf’s love for his cub,

Your Daddy

WED, Jan 17 : Transmission resumes! Baby Blessing & Avalon Vision
We are hoping to do a short baby blessing ritual for Thomas Jackson, followed by a discussion of our vision for Avalon. Isaac and are drafting a vision statement/project proposal that we’d like to workshop with you all (in small groups and as a whole group), and we’re inviting a few people who are also interested in helping us develop the project. * Please let me know if you’d like to bring food or drink to share.

BACKGROUND ARTICLES
* Background on Avalon “Twilight for old Limelight as owner shops mall idea”
* William Augustus Muhlenberg, founder of Holy Communion Episcopal Church
* Muhlenberg’s 19th Century “Midnight Mission”

UPCOMING

MON, Jan 22 – field trip!
My web guru friend from the west coast, Bob Carlton (who keeps up an excellent blog) will be in town and we’re going out to dinner. Any and all Transmissioners are invited! * Please rsvp if interested.

SAT, Jan 27 – field trip!
MOBIA @ the American Bible Society is putting on a concert which will feature a commissioned piece by Mario Diaz de Leon. I know Mario from working with the 20/30 Connection at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and plan to attend to support this amazing young composer. I will also be inviting members of the 20/30 Connection. The event is free and I’ve reserved some spots. * Let me know if you’d like to come.

Wed, Jan 31 – next Transmission!
* Anyone want to plan the evening, our ritual, or the food?

AP Article w/ Photos: http://cbs4denver.com/local/local_story_003072103.html

“22-year-old Sergant John M. Sullivan of Hixon, Tennessee died last Saturday in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device went off near his vehicle while on combat patrol. Sullivan was just days away from returning home from his second tour of duty in Iraq to be with his wife and newborn son. His family said Sullivan volunteered for the patrol when a fellow-soldier got sick.”

from http://fox21news.com/Global/story.asp?S=5891680

“Hours after SGT John Michael Sullivan was killed in Iraq, his wife Michele gave birth to their little boy at Fort Carson. News of her husband’s death had sent Sullivan into labor.
‘I got a knock on the door and I told them, ‘don’t tell me,” said Sullivan. Her husband had been killed when a roadside bomb hit his Humvee. SGT Sullivan and his wife had planned to name their son Johnny Walker. Sullivan said they both thought it was a strong name everyone would remember. When SGT Sullivan died, his wife chose a different name so her son would always be remembered… and her husband would never be forgotten– John Michael Sullivan Jr.”

from http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/5080596.html

* Please pray for his soul, his wife, newborn son, parents (he was an only son), and unit in Iraq.

Peel Slowly and See, originally uploaded by bowiesnodgrass.

Elizabeth and John had their baby! The healthy 8 1/2 pound boy was born at 4:30 am on Dec 30, 2006. Please pray for mommy, daddy, and baby.

Here’s a photo of his very first day of life! already being exposed to some Warhol pop culture…

I’m in Seattle right now and I’m playing for Church of the Apostles tonight with Lacey Brown. It’s a little bit like playing with a second me (electronic backing tracks mixed with live instruments, combining ancient texts and melodies with modern grooves, etc) except that, unlike me, Lacey can sing. It’s pretty cool – I wish you guys could hear it!

Church of the Apostles is pretty cool – they’ve taken an abandoned church and converted it into an Abbey for themselves. They take the whole “radical hospitality” thing pretty seriously. I was met at the airport, driven into down, and given a room all to myself. It would be a lot more expensive to get a building in NYC (I don’t there are any abandoned buildings, anyway), but I would really, really love to see Transmission blossom into a living community…