Remembering a friend

Fr Paul Sneve (St Matthews Episcopal, Rapid City) wrote this about Fr Bill Hibbert, who recently passed away and has been in my thoughts this last Holy Week...

I have never known anyone who worked as hard as he did to live out his Baptismal Covenant. He was a man of deep convictions and yet never allowed his convictions to affect his pastoral interactions if he felt he might hinder anyone's relationship with Jesus Christ. More simply put, he loved his Lord more than he loved the politics of life.

More about Fr Bill, a wonderful example of humanity, over at Kathy's Good Word.

We all over South Dakota and the many elsewhere in and out of the Church and the BSA so miss him.

The Bible Tells Me So is here!

There will be two showings of the award winning film For The Bible Tells Me So -- one on each side of the state.

March 30, Sioux Falls, Zandbroz Variety, 209 S. Phillips, 3 pm

Co-sponsored by The Center East and All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church Social Justice Committee
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival, Dan Karslake's provocative, entertaining documentary brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture, and the process reveals that Church-sanctioned anti-gay bias is based almost solely upon a significant (and often malicious) misinterpretation of the Bible.

Does God really condemn loving homosexual relationships? Is the chasm separating Christianity from gays and lesbians too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuss to hate? Through the experiences of five very normal, Christian, American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson -- one discovers how people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child or family member.

Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, For The Bible Tells Me So offers healing, clarity, and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.
April 5, Rapid City, Journey Museum Theatre, 6:30 pm

This showing will be followed by a panel discussion consisting of:

Bruce Baum, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Rapid City
Kathy Monson Lutes - Rector, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Rapid City
Richard Fisher, United Methodist Church Pastor, current Vice President, South Dakota Association of Christian Churches
Fred Magnavito, PhD Psychologist working with the Pennington County Sheriff's Department and PFLAG Dad
Carol Butzman, Mental Health Counselor in private practice in Rapid City and PFLAG Mom
Curtis Price, Treasurer, Equality South Dakota, Board Member, South Dakota Centers for Equality, South Dakota Network Coordinator, Integrity USA

Moderating the panel; Michael Coats, Director of the Center West

More on the movie at: www.forthebibletellsmeso.org

RR Caucuses in Pierre Saturday

I had the privilege of being one of the voting delegates for the Presidential Primary caucusing in Pierre on Saturday. It was a thrilling experience to see all the people excited about this Presidential election. Although the Mainstream Media seems to be hell-bent on predicting a slugfest that will "rip apart" the party, the Clinton and Obama people in Pierre were like the Clinton and Obama people I'm hearing from all over the county--we are excited to bring us back to a Federal government working an answers, not political battle--no matter who is selected in Denver -- even if it comes down to that. I don't think anyone will change their delegate commitment, but you can bet unity is going to be breathtaking after Denver.

Epp wasn't a delegate for Obama, but helped out by counting votes to keep it all fair. I will post a picture when I can (my hard disk died last weekend!).

South Dakota Watch posted the results of the delegate voting... The process is complicated, but there are rules... there will be a public vote for Democratic Voters in the South Dakota primary on June 2 which will include a box for Hillary and a box for Obama, listed with the elected delegates (listed by SD Watch) for each candidate. After that election, they will be chosen in proportion to the primary vote to vote in Denver. If you care, the Pennington County Dems have posted the details here.

District 32 on the move

Recruiting Dem candidates for District 32 are (left to right) Lois Facer, Eric Abrahamson (Den candidate for State House in District 32, Rapid City), Jay Davis (notary public, certifying petitions) and Beth Wojahn. There is a lot happening, although there are a lot of uncontested primaries in June. You can bet you'll be hearing more here about it soon.

Gene is not invited.

This picture says it all.

California Supreme Court takes up marriage equality

As much as we'd like a slam-dunk for marriage equality from the CA Supreme Court, the state's strong civil union laws may cloud the issue a bit...or maybe bring the real issue, the basic human right to choose a partner that's best for you instead of someone James Dobson approves of and not be punished by it in housing, health benefits, etc. to the fore...

So I believe the content of this decision may be more important than the verdict...a well-written, thoughtful decision could really grease the wheels for a definitive Supreme Court decision for domestic and parental GLBT protection, which will come someday (I firmly believe it's when not if). Time is not on Jim Dobson's side.

South Dakota's Amendment C is Federally unconstitutional. It's just a matter of time (hopefully not a whole generation) until just a few more of us are ready to accept the truth that all families should be protected, whether you call it marriage or not.

Really, it's about real people doing their best to live right and with integrity and wholeness. Is that too much to ask?