Monthly Archives: March 2017

2017 Intentions – March

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As I said here, I dumped my original Star Word in favor of COURAGE.

These are my intentions for the year. Let’s see how I’m doing showing COURAGE in each case.

I will resist hatred, prejudice, and evil, and speak out against all of them when I see/hear them.

  • I will resist evil, hatred, and reactionary government by signing up with Wall of Us. Each week you will receive a list of four actions you can take by writing to your elected representatives to ensure your values are being considered by the government. Some are local, some are state, and some are national. Often you will receive suggestions of products to boycott or hatred to call out.
    • I’ve consistently made phone calls – either in support of my representatives positions or to encourage them to speak out. I have both US Senators’ and my Representative’s number saved in my phone and I call, at least, weekly.
  • I’ve signed up with People Power – a grassroots organizing effort backed by the ACLU.
    • I’m on the local leadership team for People Power in Tacoma
    • I’ve set up a meeting with my city council representative to discuss city policy for cooperating (or not) with ICE and DHS.
    • I’ve added my neighborhood council meeting to my calendar and will try to attend.
    • Tomorrow I will attend at Town Hall Meeting with US Representative Derek Kilmer.

U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer

WA State Senator Jeannie Darneille

I will exercise regularly and eat good, healthy food.

  • I will try to get 10,000 steps a day – so far, so good, for the most part.
  • I will log my food every day (and no cheating)  – I have lost the weight I put on since the middle of August. Next milestone will be when I get back to the first of June.
  • I will cook most of the food we eat from scratch, and will be careful of extra salt and additives in any packaged foods – check, check, and check.
    • I will cook fresh vegetables when they are available.
    • I will continue to get Blue Apron meals whenever my schedule allows me time to prepare them. If you would like to try them, send me your email in a comment, and I’ll send you three free meals (I have at least 5 sets available).

I will make personal contact with at least half of the churches in the Presbytery.

  • I will meet the pastors for coffee and a “get-to-know-you” time. So far I’ve only connected at Presbytery meetings and events.
  • I’ve attended and participated in a full-blown Presbytery meeting where we welcomed our new Executive Director (and a good friend of mine) the Rev. Christine T. Long.

  • I will try to meet with the sessions and invite more participation by Ruling Elders in Presbytery meetings and commissions and committees.
  • I will continue to work with the Taskforce on New Worshipping Communities and encourage their work – We’re going back to the drawing board on calling a pastor for the church plant at the Women’s Prison.

I will work for more racial diversity and harmony in my city and church.

  • I will encourage a dialogue between Bethany and at least one historically Black congregation – no opportunities yet, but I’m working on it.
  • Our continuing Interfaith Dialogue has resumed in March. I have attended both sessions, one at Bethany Presbyterian Church and one at Temple Beth-El. This year we have added the local Mosque in addition to our Presbyterian Church, a local Synagogue, an Episcopalian Church, and a Lutheran Church.

  • I attended the Women’s Conference on Building Bridges of Interfaith Unity with several other members of the church.

I will pray for Big Al as he faces decreased mobility and increasing pain from his back problems. I will try to remember that he is hurting, and not push him to do more than he is comfortable doing – I’m doing pretty well with this one, but it means I often go places and do things that leave him at home alone.