September 2005 Beggars at the Tableopendoorcommunity.org/HospSep05.pdfPermit No. 1264 Address...

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September 2005vol. 24, no. 9

The Open Door Community – Hospitality & Resistance in the Catholic Worker Movement

HOSPITALITYHOSPITALITYHOSPITALITYHOSPITALITYHOSPITALITY

910 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306-4212, 404-874-9652, www.opendoorcommunity.org

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Open Door

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Community

By Chrystal Cook

(Editor’s note: Chrystal Cook, a ResidentVolunteer at the Open Door Community, preachedthe following sermon at worship on July 17.)

If you know very much about the South, orabout the Southern Appalachian mountains where I’mfrom, then you know that when someone is about totell a story (especially a true story, which isn’t alwaysthe case when my people sit around and chew thefat), a very common opening statement, in myexperience, is “You ain’t gonna believe this.”

I’ve got more than one story to tell you, andthese are true stories. For example, you ain’t gonnabelieve this, but our very own Pastor Chad Hyattproposed marriage to his lovely wife Camille beforethey ever went on a date! You can’t make up stuffthat good—it has to be true! Are the stories I’m goingto tell you second- or third-hand stories? Sure. Hasthere been a little embellishment to dress them up forcompany? Maybe. But I contend there is great truthto be had in these stories, even though I start themwith, “You ain’t gonna believe this.”

I was inviting some folks to worship thisweek, trying to persuade them it would be a good timeregardless of who was preaching, and one personasked me, “Are you going to speak the truth?!?” Theonly answer I have for that is, “This is the Open Door.This is 910. The truth is all we have.” My prayer isthat God will bless us with truth, and help us not onlyto believe it, but to live it.

You ain’t gonna believe this, but there was thisguy a while back, and about the most you could sayabout him was that he was a liar and a thief and amama’s boy (although, to his credit, they say he was apretty good cook). He was a fugitive, on the runbecause of what he had stolen and from whom he hadstolen it. I mean, this guy was a real manipulator:withheld food from a hungry person until he got whathe wanted; lied to an old blind man to trick him andsteal from him; betrayed his own brother and his owndaddy; turned against his own flesh and blood becausegreed and power meant more to him than love andcommunity. He was what you’d call a real piece ofwork (those of us who’ve never done anything wronglike to make those kinds of value judgments and placethose kinds of labels on other people). Do you knowanybody like this guy? Somebody who would sell herown grandmother to the highest bidder? Of course

Peter Waldo: A Life and Legacyof the Radical Remnant of the

Discipleship Movement

Beggars at the Table

Beggars, continued on page 10

By Eduard Loring

Peter Waldo is one our ancestors, a brightfluffy cloud against the sparkling blue sky of ourwitness to the Radical Remnant of the followers ofJesus, The Human One.

The Radical Remnant is today small, dismissed,persecuted, marginalized and time warped. But it hasalways been that way and always will be that way. Inthe year 850 B.C., the Prophet Elijah was sitting in acave on Mt. Sinai. Elijah had been complaining toYahweh-Elohim that the King Ahab and Queen Jezebelwanted to kill him and there were no faithful Hebrewsleft. He felt defeated, alone, without hope. Yahweh-Elohim told him to stop his belly aching; there was aremnant of 7,000 folk in Israel who were faithful and notafraid of the police, jails, church courts, or CentralJerusalem Progress and their “Leper Removal Act.” This is a promise from our Compassionate God. On the margins there will always be enough folk for usto do the work of the Radical Remnant. 7,000 is animportant number in Biblical numerology. This is the

number of fullness, completeness. Now, it is true weoften do not feel that the 7, 000 of us are enough. Wecry out, “The harvest is large, but the workers are few.” Well, we needed someone to do PM House Duty onSaturday this week. Tony Sinkfield said, “Here I am. Send me.” We wish we had 7,000 Tony Sinkfields, buthe is working in the fields, bringing in the sheaves, doingthe best he can till he can’t. Peter Waldo did what we do. He questionedthe model of the church and Christian life he wasgiven (a Hermeneutics of Suspicion: to always questionwhat the powerful say from the point of view of theoppressed, wrote Dietrich Bonhoeffer). When Peterheard of an alternative way, narrow and hard, he took it.He and his communities ended up hiding in the Alps andall over Europe. Hiding, running, but preaching,practicing. The illusion of the powers of death, frommean little groups of business people like Central AtlantaProgress to the President of the America Empire, is thatviolent power can silence the Radical Remnant. Oh,they can jail and even kill the flesh, but they cannot

Waldo, continued on page 8

As we go to press, the Atlanta CityCouncil has passed the ordinance tooutlaw begging in downtownAtlanta, and Mayor Shirley Franklinhas signed the law. After the councilvote, the homeless and advocateswere ejected from City Hall for our(non-violent) response. Sevenadvocates were arrested, six from theOpen Door Community. In thisphoto, Atlanta police, police riotsquad, and Red Dog squad memberstwist Eric Garbison into ahammerlock as they cuff him forjail. In the background are HeatherBargeron, Kyle Thompson, and AmyCantrell, community members alsoarrested. The Open Door’s EdLoring and Chuck Harris and former

Atlanta city council member Derrick Boazman were also arrested. The “Resurrection City 7” will go to trial onOctober 4, the Feast of Saint Francis, the beggar. Look for more in the October Hospitality.

PHOTO BY CALVIN KIMBROUGH

Open Door Community910 Ponce de Leon Ave NE

Atlanta, GA 30306-4212www.opendoorcommunity.org(404) 874-9652; 874-7964 fax

September 2005HospitalityHospitalityHospitalityHospitalityHospitalitypage 2

Hospitality is published 11 times a year by the OpenDoor Community (PCUS), Inc., an Atlantacommunity of Christians called to resist war andviolence and nurture community in ministry with, andadvocacy for, the homeless poor and prisoners,particularly those on death row. Subscriptions arefree. A newspaper request form is included in eachissue. Manuscripts and letters are welcomed.Inclusive language editing is standard. For moreinformation about the life and work of the Open DoorCommunity, please contact any of the following:

Gladys Rustay and Tony Sinkfield: Jackson Prison Tripand Food Coordinator

Ed Loring: Street Preacher and Word On The StreetHost, Resident Volunteer Coordinator, Agitator

Murphy Davis: Southern Prison Ministry, Worship andMusic Coordinator (with Nelia & Calvin Kimbrough)

Phil Leonard: Administration and Finance, HardwickPrison Trip, Resident Volunteer Applications

Dick Rustay and Lauren Cogswell: Dayspring FarmCoordinators

Jodi Garbison: Volunteer Coordinator

Newspaper

Editor: Murphy DavisManaging and Layout Editor: Mary ByrnePhotography Editor: Calvin KimbroughAssociate Editors: Ed Loring, Gladys Rustay,

Lauren Cogswell, Mark Bashor (Poetry Editor),and Eric Garbison

Copy Editing: Julie Martin and Charlotta NorbyCirculation: A multitude of earthly hostsSubscriptions or change of address: Charlotta Norby

(A $7 donation to the Open Door would help tocover the costs of printing and mailing Hospitalityfor one year. A $30 donation covers overseasdelivery for one year.)

HOSP I TAHOSP I TAHOSP I TAHOSP I TAHOSP I TALLLLLI TYI TYI TYI TYI TY

By Kyle Thompson

In 2001 Congress passed legislation entitledthe “No Child Left Behind Act.” This legislation,among other things, has given the federal governmentgreater control over the nation’s public schools byincreasing standardized testing and funding. Whatmany do not realize, however, is the same legislationalso mandates, according to Donald Rumsfield, that“military recruiters are entitled to receive the name,address, and telephone listing of juniors and seniors inhigh school.”

While it came as a surprise to me that theforced provision of student information was includedin already questionable legislation, it was not a causefor great action on my part. It simply came as anothertragic instance of the coercive power of the U.S.American Empire. It was not until I learned from myparents that my younger brother Jesse, who is a risingsenior in a public high school, was being heavilyrecruited by the Navy that I began to tangibly sensethe insidiousness of this legislation.

Navy recruiters first contacted Jesse by aflashy mailer promising educational opportunity andjob security. Upon responding to the mailer,recruiters have pursued him to take the militaryplacement exams and to go to a pre-boot camp.Now the recruiters call on a regular basis and Jessesays that they will continue calling until “you signup or tell ‘em to shut up.” While I have sought toredirect my brother’s desires with regular pleasconcerning the centrality of the cross as an act ofnon-violence and decrying the heresy of “patriotic”Empire worship, it is hard to compete with therecruiter’s promises of financial security, worldtravel, and patriotic glory.

Through Jesse’s recruitment, the distant “NoChild Left Behind Act” became personal. But thestory had not reached its end. As if God had decided Iwas not impassioned enough in my anger or loudenough in my protest, I received an email myself froma Marine recruiter.

I have been at the Open Door now for twomonths as a Resident Volunteer and in that time havecome to appreciate the common vision for thepeaceable kingdom, or as they say around here, the“beloved community,” that we daily celebrate. Myjourney in search of the cruciform patterns of non-violent resistance began before my arrival here, whileI was attending a private, Christian liberal-artsuniversity in Los Angeles, Azusa Pacific University(APU). APU is in no way a “pacifist” school, but itdoes have its pockets of Christian radicals.

Needless to say, I was surprised to find thatAPU had given my email to a Marine sergeant whoinvited me to “enhance my career” by taking the“chance of a lifetime” and becoming a Marine CorpsOfficer. Providentially, the Marine sergeant included inhis email the addresses of fifty-five of my fellowgraduates. I took the moment to be an opportunity toproclaim the Gospel of Christ’s peace to both thisrecruiter and my peers at APU. Below is the letterwith which I responded:

Dear Sergeant Borrell and friends from APU,I have to admit that I was greatly

disheartened by your invitation to join the MarineCorps. It would seem that you are unfamiliar withthe fact that Azusa Pacific University’s mission isto encourage students to embark on the radicalpath of discipleship to Jesus Christ. As such,committing my life to the proliferation of systems ofviolence, fear, and coercion would be a directaffront to the education that I have just received.

At the center of the path of Christiandiscipleship and the story of Jesus Christ is thecross, the paradigm act of non-violent resistanceto Empire. Jesus had the option of violentoverthrow of the oppressive Roman occupiers butinstead he chose to truly take the “challenge of alifetime” and did not fight evil with evil, but foughtevil with good. Christ died a violent, gruesomedeath in active resistance to the patterns ofviolence that are perpetuated through institutions

such as the U.S. Marine Corps. As Christians, wenot only memorialize this courageous resistance inour Eucharistic worship, but also pray and hopethat it is Christ who embodies us as we resist theway of violence by loving our enemies and caringfor those who are injured by violent systems. Thisbeing the case, becoming a Marine would not“enhance my career,” but would set me on a paththat is diametrically opposed to the practices of myfaith community.

Thus, as you and your fellow officers planand develop the weapons of violence and war, Iwill plan and act in the ways of mercy and peace.As you and your fellow officers rely on the mightand power of the United States and its military, Iwill rely on the Lord Jesus Christ and actively livein faith hoping for his coming reign.

Jesus came to proclaim the Gospel ofpeace not war, of mercy not violence, ofreconciliation not division, of liberation notoccupation. My friends, I encourage you tosearch the life of Jesus, to remember the story ofthe Church, to pray earnestly and seek the Wordof God concerning the radical path of Christ.Only when Christ breaks in to heal our heartsfrom the patterns of violence will we truly knowthe God of peace.

Grace and peace,Kyle Thompson

While we witness the growing energy puttoward recruiting young people to the U.S. military,we must allow the Spirit to embolden our voices. Hereat the Open Door, we often pray for my youngerbrother, that he will reject the wide path of violenceand war and walk the narrow Way of compassion andlove. We pray you will join us in our proclamation tothe powers that be: in your march to war, we beg you,leave our children behind!

Kyle Thompson is a Resident Volunteer at the OpenDoor Community.

Please Leave Our Children Behind

MEIN

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September 2005 HospitalityHospitalityHospitalityHospitalityHospitality page 3

(Editor’s Note: On June 22, an editorial in theAtlanta Journal-Constitution, excerpted below,criticized Ed Loring and the Open DoorCommunity as well as Concerned Black Clergy asbeing in a time warp and concerned about thewrong things. The following letters were sent tothe AJC but none of them were printed.)

Do homeless advocates help the poor andhomeless by defending their right to beg? Shouldn’tthey be more concerned with helping the poor findemployment that prevents the need for begging?

The Rev. Loring and his compatriots,including the Rev. Richard Cobble, a vicepresident of Concerned Black Clergy, are behindthe curve, fighting the previous battle. Becausethey have misread the future, they have missed thechance to home in on the issues that shouldconcern them -- including the disappearance oflow-cost housing in the city.

—Cynthia Tucker, AJC editorial page editor,from “Advocates for the poor in time warp,”June 22, 2005

When you live and work with the homeless,you get to know a different Atlanta than the glitzyhaven for the affluent that Cynthia Tucker dreamsabout. You quickly recognize that the “anti-beggingordinance” has just one real purpose: to drive the poorfrom downtown. Ms. Tucker describes a city where, asshe says, the “poor will have been banished to theaging, inner-ring suburbs,” like “Smyrna, south DeKalbCounty and south Gwinnett County.” After all, why dothe hard work of putting an end to poverty, when it iseasier just to move the poor somewhere else?

No, Ms. Tucker, the city of your dreams is anightmare. Thankfully, Martin King and others had adifferent dream, one in which “all God’s children”were included. Let us make our beleaguered city theBeloved Community of King’s dreams, not the modelfor a new segregation Cynthia Tucker envisions.

Peace, Chad Hyatt

Recent criticism of Ed Loring is not fair.There are many ministries and organizations in ourtown dealing with the various aspects of the homeless.The problem is huge. One ministry cannot do it all. The Open Door Community offers hospitalityto the homeless, clean clothes, meals, hot showers,water, a free medical clinic and foot care. They alsominister to those in prison, work on peace and justiceissues, and advocate for the poor.

In doing these things, the Community isfollowing Matthew 25:31: “For I was hungry and yougave me food” or “thirsty and you gave me something todrink” -- which are not “yesterday’s useless solutions.” Muriel Lokey

The problem is not homeless people, but a citythat values entertainment and profit above human

lives. Cynthia Tucker and “her compatriots” want touse the police to criminalize homelessness. We shouldview it as a human rights issue instead. Atlanta wouldrather house fish than people, build jails rather thanaffordable housing, and exploit cheap labor rather thansupport living wage jobs.

Thank God for Richard Cobble, Ed Loring,and Murphy Davis. They envision an Atlanta whereeveryone is welcome and enjoys quality of life.Rather than trying to “zone” Atlanta as segregationistsof old did, why not strike all of the so-called quality oflife ordinances that criminalize the poor? Let’s createa city where all enjoy free speech and public space—not to mention shelter, food, clothing, healthcare, andmeaningful work. If that is backward thinking, then I want to goback to the future. Rev. Amy Cantrell

Often Atlanta’s informed conscience, CynthiaTucker missteps in her column “Advocates for thepoor in time warp” which errantly blasts Ed Loring,the Open Door Community and others opposing thenew proposed “anti-panhandling” ordinance. Greatcities need great prophets. Great prophets shout fromthe mountains to remind us of injustices faced by thepoor. Ms. Tucker calls on Loring and other advocatesto focus on policy issues that will transform thehomeless into fully employed, MARTA riding, subur-ban-housed mainstreamers. The United Way, localgovernment, business leadership, churches and com-munity groups should work to develop needed jobs,transportation and housing. But the poor will alwaysneed a voice. As we work to build a better Atlanta,we must constantly be reminded that thousands of ourbrothers and sisters live on the streets. Panhandlingordinances are designed to help us forget this coldreality. Thank God for the voice of Ed Loring and TheOpen Door Community...lest we forget. John O’Callaghan

John O’Callaghan was formerly a member of theAtlanta City Council and the Fulton County Com-mission.

Bob Cramer from the Task Force for theHomeless did an excellent job setting straight yourmisguided editorial on homelessness on 6/22. It’sinteresting to note that many conventions were cancelledor boycotted while we argued about the Confederateflag. Our city lost millions because we were perceived asbackward rednecks. Also the Home Builders canceledtheir mega million dollar convention because they fearedgetting robbed by our tourist industry -- not beingpanhandled by our homeless. Quit blaming the poor andEd Loring for our problems. I think the homeless areafraid of our meanness.

Rick McDevitt

Rick McDevitt is the founder and director of theGeorgia Alliance for children and the owner of anAtlanta restaurant.

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All the NewsNot Fit to Print

What accounts for Cynthia Tucker’s blindspots on certain political issues? Why did she attackRev. Ed Loring of The Open Door and Rev. RichardCobble of Concerned Black Clergy, accusing them ofnot being concerned enough about unemployment andthe disappearance of low-cost housing? The Open Door, led by Ed Loring and MurphyDavis, and Concerned Black Clergy, led by Rev.Timothy McDonald and Rev. Derrell Elligan, havelong functioned as Atlanta’s social conscience, callingattention to government policies that condemn tens ofthousands to joblessness and homelessness. They areworking on the ground every day for programspromoting life, not early death. Rather than accusing Rev. Loring and Rev.Cobble of myopia, Cynthia Tucker needs to avoid thiscondition herself. She should stay focused on the bigcheese who think up policies widening the income gaprather than on activists who point out theconsequences of these policies. Ann Mauney

The following letter was sent directly to Ed Loring:The reaction to Ed Loring’s shameful slander

of Atlanta citizens as racists has drawn a universallynegative response. As Cynthia Tucker’s editorial andtoday’s letters to the editor demonstrate, Atlantacitizens are tired of having their neighborhoods madeunlivable by belligerent thugs so Ed can stroke his egoand have a platform for his ideological zealotry. Perhaps Ed could listen to his neighbors andunderstand how his disrespectful and arrogant actionsand rhetoric undermine the attempts of the rest of uswho are trying to build a livable city that creates morejobs and tax revenue for the city. Ed’s tactics hurt thehomeless as well, although I doubt he cares. Ed justwants to stroke his ego and the rest of us can go scratch.

Chris Lydle


By Elizabeth Dede

I must begin this column byconfessing that I love cats and dogs.I’ve owned several in my life, and theyhave brought me great joy andcomfort. Their companionship andunconditional love have often been abalm for my lonely, aching spirit. Sowhat I am about to say is not adisparagement of animals.

Recently I was monitoring citycourt in Americus, which is one of myusual Wednesday morning activities forthe Prison & Jail Project. Most casesare rather perfunctory and take only afew minutes to resolve.

On this occasion, however, Iobserved only one case. It involvedthe abuse and malnourishment of adog. The case was three months oldand had been continued until all parties– the defendants, the police, thehumane society representatives, theveterinarians – could be present. Thecase took nearly two hours.

First, one of the defendantsargued that the dog did not belong tohim, so he should not be charged withcruelty to animals. The other defendantargued that the dog was naturally smalland skinny, that she loved the dog withall her heart, and that sometimes he ate,and sometimes he lost weight.

The veterinarian testified thatwhen the dog came into his office to beboarded for a weekend, he was soemaciated and fragile that they thoughtthe dog might have diabetes. The dogate and drank constantly and gainedmore than a pound over the weekend.This caused the veterinarian to call thepolice, who arrested the owners forcruelty to animals.

Custody of the dog was thenturned over to the Humane Society ofSumter County. They took photos ofthe dog, which were entered asevidence. The judge said that thephotos almost made him cry. While inthe custody of the Humane Society, thedog was put into foster care so that hewould “be able to have a normal life andplay in the sunshine.” As he wasplaying one day, the dog dislocated hiship and had to be brought to anotherveterinarian. When the owners learnedthis, they were so outraged that theycalled the police, who arranged for thedog to stay with the veterinarian, ratherthan returning to the Humane Society orto the foster home. The dog remainswith the veterinarian to this day.

After hearing all the testimony,the judge found both defendants guilty

of cruelty to animals. He told them thatthey could appeal his decision within thenext 30 days, and one defendant said thathe intended to appeal. Since that meantthat the case was still active, and the dog ispart of the evidence, the dog could not bereleased back into the owner’s custody. Sothe dog will remain with the veterinarian.

Then the representative fromthe Humane Society asked what thelegal procedure was for petitioning forcustody of the dog. She did not want tosee ownership and care of this dogrevert to the defendants when the casewas finally resolved.

The case took nearly two hoursand is still continuing. The matter will betaken up next in the State Court ofSumter County on appeal.

I was shocked by the resources

How Do We Spend Our Resources?that have been spent on this dog, so Icame back to the office to look up somestatistics on Sumter County. Accordingto the 2000 Census, the highestpercentage of household income wasless than $10,000. 25.5% of familieswith children under 18 were living belowthe poverty level. 31.2% of families withchildren under 5 were living below thepoverty level. A staggering 63.3% offamilies with female householder and nohusband present, with children under 5,were living below the poverty level.

That same evening I read astory in the newspaper about theDepartment of Family and ChildrenServices in Florida. They had “lost” afoster child for three years. The socialworker had failed to meet with thechild, had failed to make reports, had

failed to notice that the child was nolonger present. It was a tragedy. Itturned out that the foster mother hadmurdered the child and the State ofFlorida didn’t find out until three yearsafter the fact.

In Sumter County, our schoolchildren are without a SchoolSuperintendent. We are in the midst offights about leadership.

Those of us who are citizens ofSumter County, GA, should focus ourresources on the people of SumterCounty, who are suffering from theburden and oppression of poverty.

Elizabeth Dede, a non-residentialPartner at the Open DoorCommunity, works with the Prison &Jail Project in Americus, GA.

By Lauren Cogswell

It is a family affair.

August 6, 2005; Hiroshima Day.I kneel in prayerMy hands outstretched like a beggarPlease no more bombs,No more nuclear fire,No more burning rain,No more days to remember the dead.Veni Sancte Spiritus

August 1955My grandfather was the air raid foreman for the neighborhoodIn the dark of the nightThe siren cuts through the warm summer air.Under his metal pith helmetMy grandfather takes his flashlight and covers it with a sock, so he won’t be seen.He walks the streets. Are the children safe?I wonder, Was he afraid?Was there someone like him walking the streets in Japan,Praying for the life of his children?

My aunt, just a girl, pushes her baby buggyDown the sidewalk, too far from home.

The siren shrieks in the middle of the afternoon.She cannot move her feet, she screams and melts into tears.Would she too become ashes?My grandmother rushes out to find her lost child.Hush, hush, little one. It is not real.There are no bombs here.I wonder, Was my grandmother afraid?Was there a mother like her in Japan searching the sidewalks for her crying child?

Five years later, my uncle boards a train in Japan.He would later marry that little girl stranded on a sidewalk.But now he is a soldier in the Korean War.On the train, the Japanese women tap his shoulder as they near, and point Hiroshima, Hiroshima.You must not forget.On an empty street a deformed man, scarred by nuclear fireHolds in his outstretched handA piece of gnarled glass.For sale. Hiroshima.You must not forget.

1985, I am eleven years old.Playing four square, an explosion

The army ammunition plant across the river, we children, know the sound too well.Will someone lose their father today to the making of war?I am afraid.

In the cool of the evening,stories are told,of the lives of our family,of odd relatives, escapades andembarrassing moments,told and retold over supper,passed around like communion bread.But these of fear, of war, I never knew.Until I asked. Do you remember?

The next day I kneel in prayerIn front of the Enola GayA beggar for peaceMy outstretched hands are burning.A piece of gnarled glass.My eyes fill with my aunt’s tearsMy grandfather’s protecting hand rests on my shoulder.Hiroshima, I remember.

Lauren Cogswell is a Resident Volunteerat the Open Door Community. Shespent Hiroshima Day with otherCatholic Workers at the National Airand Space Museum in a witnessagainst war.

Hiroshima,Hiroshima,Hiroshima,Hiroshima,Hiroshima,I RI RI RI RI Rememberememberememberememberemember

p o e t r y c o r n e rp o e t r y c o r n e rp o e t r y c o r n e rp o e t r y c o r n e rp o e t r y c o r n e r

JULIE LONNEMAN

SSSSSend us your poetry! Wend us your poetry! Wend us your poetry! Wend us your poetry! Wend us your poetry! We especiallye especiallye especiallye especiallye especiallywelcome poetry fromwelcome poetry fromwelcome poetry fromwelcome poetry fromwelcome poetry from

people in prison and on the streets.people in prison and on the streets.people in prison and on the streets.people in prison and on the streets.people in prison and on the streets.Mark M. Bashor, Poetry CornerThe Open Door Community910 Ponce de Leon Ave NEAtlanta, GA 30306-4212


The movement for life continues in our search for a bonemarrow match for Fulton County Firefighter Shawn Mitchell,who’s been diagnosed with leukemia. Those of you who live inthe Atlanta area, please take note and spread the word aboutthe following upcoming drives organized by Fulton County.

September 19, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.September 19, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.September 19, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.September 19, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.September 19, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.September 22, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.September 22, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.September 22, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.September 22, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.September 22, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

For information on locations, please contact Ann Littlejohn at404.224.0518 or [email protected],ga.us.

Join the Movement for LifeJoin the Movement for LifeJoin the Movement for LifeJoin the Movement for LifeJoin the Movement for Lifefor Shawn Mitchell,for Shawn Mitchell,for Shawn Mitchell,for Shawn Mitchell,for Shawn Mitchell,

FFFFFulton County Fulton County Fulton County Fulton County Fulton County Firefighter!irefighter!irefighter!irefighter!irefighter!

Dear Friends, This week we got the gift of life:Murphy Davis has been taken off theBone Marrow Track. She is notheading toward a transplant. Over ayear ago, after her third recurrence ofcancer, on the Sunday after our firstclinic appointment, Rev. AnthonyGranberry preached at the Open DoorCommunity about Murphy’s cancer andour journey in faith and practice withher. His sermon was “Faith or Fear.”He challenged us to claim life, live life,pray for life, believe in life, practice life,and to be alive. Rev. Granberry’ssermon, like your caring, prayers, visits,letters, emails, contributions, bonemarrow drives and bone marrow testing,has been basic to this time of healingand recovery of health.

Dr. Amelia Langston and herteam at Emory University Hospital andthe Winship Cancer Clinic are amongthe most loving, sacrificing, andcommitted people we know.

What can we say? Thank you.We love you. What can we do? Webelieve that this healing is for a purpose.God is alive and well inside MurphyDavis and the Open Door Community.The work for which she has been calledis not yet completed. We will continueto build a discipleship community of thewidest diversity, for that is our vocation.We are Protestant Catholic Workers.Murphy will continue to deepen her lifeand give her time in performing theWorks of Mercy, especially visiting the

prisoners, fighting the death penalty,editing Hospitality, writing, and tryingto rebuild Atlanta in a way that all arewelcomed and none are poor orhomeless. We are Peacemakers,working for the end of war andestablishment for justice.

Murphy and I are also“changing stride.” We will spend moretime at Dayspringfarm and try to liveour lives with less stress and moreSabbath. Yet, we know that thepassion for life, the compassion for thepoor, the vision of the BelovedCommunity and the courage to engagethe powers of American Empire comefrom the streets, the prisons, reducingthe distance in suffering andrenunciation of privilege and power.

This week Dr. Langstoninterpreted the CT scan of twoweeks ago for us. The cancercontinues to be in full remission. Thefungal pneumonia, which may last therest of Murphy’s life, is stable and, ifanything, it has healed a wee tiny bit.Murphy is well, strong, beautiful,joyful, and raising hell in city council,so Dr. Langston removed her fromthe Bone Marrow Transplant Track.

We know, and you shouldknow, there are no guarantees that thecancer will not return. Let us live byfaith and hope, fully, embracing thedays and sleeping long and at peace atnight. Murphy will continue to receiveoversight and care; Dr. Langston willcontinue to be her healer and shepherd.

Every three months Murphywill have scans, blood work,an infusion of an anti-cancerdrug called Retuxin, andmeet with Dr. Langston.

We rejoice. We givethanks. Without Murphybeing on Disability andMedicaid, what would wedo? Please work so thateveryone in the UnitedStates of America will get allthe medical care they needand medical students, nurses,and techs can leave schoolwithout debt. Jubilee!!!

Murphy never founda bone marrow match. Yet,hundreds and hundredsjoined the bone marrowregistry for her and others.Thank you. Many peoplegave their blood; manypeople organized drives.What a source of life andenergy this has been for

Murphy Davis and the JourneyToward Health, Peace, and Justice

If you would to like give Hospitality everymonth to yourself or a friend,

please fill out, clip, and send this form to:

The Open Door CommunityThe Open Door CommunityThe Open Door CommunityThe Open Door CommunityThe Open Door Community910 P910 P910 P910 P910 Ponce de Lonce de Lonce de Lonce de Lonce de Leon Ave., NEeon Ave., NEeon Ave., NEeon Ave., NEeon Ave., NE

Atlanta, GA 30306-4212Atlanta, GA 30306-4212Atlanta, GA 30306-4212Atlanta, GA 30306-4212Atlanta, GA 30306-4212

would you like towould you like towould you like towould you like towould you like toreceive receive receive receive receive Hospitality?Hospitality?Hospitality?Hospitality?Hospitality?

___Please add me (or my friend) to theHospitality mailing list.

___Please accept my tax deductibledonation to the Open Door Community.

___I would like to explore a six- to twelve-month commitment as a Resident Volunteer atthe Open Door. Please contact me. (Alsosee www.opendoorcommunity.org for moreinformation about RV opportunities.)

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volunteerneeds

For more information onvolunteer opportunities, contactJodi Garbison at 404-875-1472 or

[email protected].

· People to accompany communitymembers to doctors’ appointments

· Groups or individuals to makeindividually wrapped meat and cheesesandwiches (no bologna, please) onwhole-wheat bread for our homelessand hungry friends

· People to cook or bring supper for theCommunity on certain Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursdayevenings

· Volunteers for Monday and Tuesdaybreakfasts and for Wednesday andThursday soup kitchens

Murphy and those of uswho surround her. Again,thank you. A special wordgoes to Lauren Cogswellof the Open DoorCommunity, and our longhaul and great friend MarySinclair who have led theway, learned the ropes,untied the knots, and spenthours on the phone andemail helping many othergreat friends (Lee Miller,Erskine Clarke, Jay andSuzanne Hobby-Shippenand lots of CatholicWorkers and Presbyteriansamong them) plan andsponsor drives and/or givemarrow. We rejoice. Youall have given life fromyour life to Murphy Davis.Thank you.

Thousands needtransplants. Our marrowis likely a source forothers. Let us give. Thehomeless are dying on ourstreets. Let us give. Thehungry are starving. Letus give. The prisoner islanguishing. Let us give.

Thank you.Thank you. Rejoice.Serve the Lord withGladness. Peace to you,

Eduard Loring


In, Out & Around 910Summer 2005compiled by Calvin Kimbrough

and Murphy Davis

Live in a residentialChristian community.

Ser ve Jesus Christ and thehungr y, homeless, and imprisoned.

Join str eet actions andpeaceful demonstrations.

Enjoy regular retreats andmeditation time at Dayspring Farm.

Join Bible study and theologicalref lections from the Base.

You might come to the marginsand find your center.

Join us as aResident Volunteer

Contact: Phil LeonardFor information

and application forms, visitwww.opendoorcommunity.org

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There has been plenty of coming and going around nine-ten this summer. Severalcommunity members have visited co-workers, supporters, friends in prison, and othercommunities, and our house has been full of visitors.

In June, Jodi Eric, Henri, and Ana Garbison made a surprise visit to Eric’s parents inIowa for Eric’s father’s retirement as a special education teacher. Along the waythere and back they visited Karen Catholic Worker in St. Louis (Jodi and the kids arepictured on the steps on the left), the Des Moines (Iowa) Catholic Worker, andEmmanuel House in Memphis. Meridith Owensby visited Viva House and JonahHouse in Baltimore. Tony Sinkfield visited the Voluntown Peace Trust in Voluntown,Connecticut. He spent three weeks with long-time friend and Open Door volunteer,Danny Malec, helping with a summer camp for children of the inner-city whoseparents are chemically addicted or in prison, He also visited the Hartford (CT)Catholic Worker and St. Francis House in New London, CT. And Lauren Cogswellvisited the Albany New York Catholic Worker and the Voluntown Peace Trust.

In May, Elizabeth Dede, Murphy Davis, and Ed Loring went to visit Open DoorPartner, Thony Green (left) in the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. Then Edand Murphy went on to Daytona Beach, Florida to enjoy a visit with Open Doorsupporters Mary Ann Richardson and Phoebe Smith (below, between Murphy andEd). Phoebe was, for several years, the leader of our Friday soup kitchen. We areso thankful for the ties that bind and for visits that strengthen and renew ourfriendships and shared commitments.

Mary Ellen Mitchell (3rd fromleft) has been a part of our

lives as she has visited her dearfriend Meridith Owensby (in

the wheelbarrow) over theyears of Meridith’s life at the

Open Door. This summer MaryEllen spent two weeks with usand recruited friends to land-

scape our side yard and put upa new swing set for our chil-dren. Left to right are Pierre

Gerardin, Scott Driscoll, DaveGarth, Dan Brozouski, Barb

Murray Donovan Gerty, NeliaKimbrough, Mark Bashor, and

Stanley Kinnard.

On the 4th of July, former ResidentVolunteer Betty Jane Crandall came tovisit with her good friend Chris Berg. Theyhelped us serve the holiday meal for ourhomeless and hungry friends and cheeredour spirits with their presence.

September 2005 page 7HospitalityHospitalityHospitalityHospitalityHospitality

Join us for theJoin us for theJoin us for theJoin us for theJoin us for theFFFFFestival of Shelters!estival of Shelters!estival of Shelters!estival of Shelters!estival of Shelters!

City Hall, Mitchell Street sideCity Hall, Mitchell Street sideCity Hall, Mitchell Street sideCity Hall, Mitchell Street sideCity Hall, Mitchell Street sidein in in in in Downtown AtlantaDowntown AtlantaDowntown AtlantaDowntown AtlantaDowntown Atlanta

DAN MAUK

good food food food food food for all

ongoing s t ree t w i tnesss t ree t w i tnesss t ree t w i tnesss t ree t w i tnesss t ree t w i tnessand proclamation

www.opendoorcommun i t y.o rgw i l l have a l l t he de ta i l sde ta i l sde ta i l sde ta i l sde ta i l s

o r ca l l 404.874.9652

September 27, 28, 29September 27, 28, 29September 27, 28, 29September 27, 28, 29September 27, 28, 29

Photography by CA

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For many years, a wonderful group offriends from the staff of EmoryUniversity have delivered hundreds ofsandwiches and other gifts of food forus to serve from our kitchen. On theleft, Tony Sinkfield receives bags ofsandwiches from Winfred Sneed. Onthe right, Mauice Ricard, Jerri Martinand Bernard Sanders deliver foodduring their lunch hour. A closerelationship has grown among thesefriends and our Thursday kitchenvolunteers. Tony says he can set hisclock by their arrival in time for thedoor to open and provide plenty ofyummy sandwiches. We are so grateful.

Mark Harper spent two years as a ResidentVolunteer in the mid-1990’s, along with volunteer

Susan Grine. They married after completing theirRV terms and now have three children. Mark isPastor of the Covenant Presbyterian Church in

Athens, GA. In July, Mark brought a group fromCovenant to work with us for a week. Left to right,they are Paige Campbell, Chris Todd, Chris Harper,

Mark Harper, Wyatt Pless, Gabe Harper, SsempaKisaalita, and Betsy Pless. We look forward to their

return to help serve our Labor Day holiday meal.

Georgia continues to execute its own citizens. InJuly, Robert Conklin was executed in spite ofcompelling evidence from the medical examinerthat he killed in self-defense. The Open DoorCommunity joined as usual with other deathpenalty abolitionists in front of the State Capitol toprotest the execution and pray for an end to thecycles of violence and revenge. On the aboveright, Murphy calls us to remember Robert as wellas George Crooks, who was killed, as children ofGod in need—as are we all—of forgiveness andmercy. On the right, Heather Bargeron leads thegroup in prayer. In the photo below, Sister DeniseLaffan, a Buddhist priest who was a residentvolunteer at the Door in 1990, chants and drumsto lead us into silent meditation at the time of theexecution. Please join in to bring an end to thedeath penalty.


silence the truth, the love, the pursuit ofpeace and justice. “You can jail thedissenters but not the dissent.” As Murphy said recently beforethe Atlanta City Council, we come withthe stories of dangerous memory.Monday, June 20th, the dangerousmemory was the story of the 1950s andthe Negro Removal by Central AtlantaProgress. Today, I stand before youwith the Dangerous Memory of theRadical Remnant of the DiscipleshipMovement. The Homeland Church ofthe Holy Roman Empire tried toimplement a Peter Waldo &Waldensian Removal Act. The Popeswere less successful than our racist,slave trading, American Indianmurdering, Presbyterian PresidentAndrew Jackson and his Indian RemovalAct of 1836. Removal of the unwantedis an ongoing process by the powers ofevil and exclusion. On Thursday, June 30th, wewent to Woodruff Park, practicingthe works of Works of Mercy, as wefeed the hungry and publicly cried outand wailed the dangerous memory of thestarvation of 25-day-old Enestae KesseeJr. two years ago. Our action was an unmasking,naming, and engaging in the death worksof the Shirley Franklins, AJ Robinsons,and Cynthia Tuckers whose continuationof the Negro Removal for their privilegeand benefit is racist, classist,and oppressive. The city, obeying theidols of greed and exclusion, areattempting to hide, jail, and demean thepoorest of the poor in the center of ourcity. All the while we study, learn, plan,organize, believe, love, and hope that ourancestors will hear us and help us. Today let me tell you about Peter Waldo. Peter Waldo was born with asilver spoon in his mouth sometime around1140. He died with the words of Jesus inhis mouth in 1209. Like the rest of usPeter did not choose the most importantgivens of his life: his parents, class,country, language, his socialization intocultural values. No one gets to makesuch choices. We face the choices ofwhat to do with what we have beengiven. “Today I put before you blessingor curse; life or death. Choose life”(Deuteronomy 30.19). Only a smallRadical Remnant is able to make thechoice of blessing and life for reasons stillunknown. But you, the reader, can. Thisreflection on our good ancestor PeterWaldo is an offering for you and me tochoose life like Peter did. Like Moses, Dr. Martin LutherKing, Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi, Petergrew up in style. His dad got him going inbusiness and he was a good entrepreneur.In fact he was such a good businessmanthat he began to accrue surplus. Waldo,his wife, and daughters had more thanthey needed. Therein, he faced the mostimportant question of the spiritual andsocial life that anyone, family, or nation

must face: What do we do with whatwe have when we have more than weneed? Human life is lived in the tragicdimension. Having more than we needmakes us want more. Surplus is a rootcause of greed. The holding and savingof the resources that lead to surplus makeus “blind,” “deaf,” and “afraid,” to usebasic biblical metaphors. Peter Waldo’s success andsurplus made him want more. Whydoes surplus tend to create greed at amore aggressive level and with greatersocial harm than scarcity? Another oneof those tragic dimensions of the humanjourney. In the Middle Ages, the daysbefore the Magisterial Reformation andthe rise of Calvinist businessmen tounprecedented power in shaping themorals and economies of Europe, usurywas forbidden by Canon Law. Usury isthe charging of interest on a loan ofmoney. The need to borrow money,until the modern era, was based onneed and very often misery. Charginginterest among Israelites is forbidden inthe Old Testament. Special laws ofprotection were added for the poor,orphan and widow. When the richbroke the Mosaic Code and chargedinterest, the Prophets railed againstthem, condemning such an evil practiceand the money making method. Peter’s surplus made himhungry, like a satiated person whoseeating never satisfies (You shall eat,but not be satisfied, and there shallbe a gnawing hunger within you,from Micah 6.14a). He turned tousury; worked the other side of thetracks; made people swear toconfidentiality, and grew richer andricher and richer. His life, at this point,foreshadows the developed nations thatsuck resources and loan money to thepoor nations of the world (read PaulWolfowitz). Peter Waldo grew up in Lyons,France. He went to Mass, wasrespectful and respected. Was a memberof Central Lyons Progress, paid his dueson time, stayed home with his family inthe evenings. He was, by the standards ofthe day, “a good man” like a Christianslaveholder who gave the slaves an extrapeck of corn to celebrate the birth of theProslavery-Christ each Christmas. But as the wind would have it,one day while strutting along the earthenstreet, Mr. Waldo heard a person whocould read and who was reading fromthe Vulgate Bible. Suddenly a fiery,living, radical Word began to shake hisfoundations:

The Rich Young ManOnce a man came to Jesus.

“Teacher,” he asked, “what good thingmust I do to receive eternal life?”

“Why do you ask me concerningwhat is good?” answered Jesus.“There is only One who is good. Keepthe commandments if you want toenter life.”

“What commandments?” he asked.Jesus answered, “Do not commit

murder; do not commit adultery; do notsteal; do not accuse anyone falsely;respect your father and your mother;and love your neighbor as you loveyourself.”

“I have obeyed all thesecommandments,” the young manreplied. “What else do I need to do?”

Jesus said to him, “If you want tobe perfect [mature] sell all you haveand give the money to the poor, andyou will have riches in heaven; thencome and follow me.”

When the young man heard this, hewent away sad, because he was veryrich.

Jesus then said to his disciples, “Iassure you: it will be very hard for richpeople to enter the Kingdom of heaven.I repeat: it is much harder for a richperson to enter the Kingdom of Godthan for a camel to go through the eyeof a needle.”

When the disciples heard this, theywere completely amazed. “Who, then,can be saved?” they asked.

Jesus looked straight at them andanswered, “This is impossible forhuman beings, but for God everythingis possible.”

Then Peter spoke up. “Look,” hesaid, “we have left everything andfollowed you. What will we have?”Jesus said to them, “You can be surethat when the Son of Man sits on hisglorious throne in the New Age, thenyou twelve followers of mine will alsosit on thrones, to rule the twelve tribesof Israel. And everyone who has lefthouses or brothers or sisters or fatheror mother or children or fields for mysake, will receive a hundred times moreand will be given eternal life. But manywho now are first will be last, andmany who now are last will be first.(Mark 10.17-31; Luke 18.18-30)

. This event which probably tookplace in 1170. Just get the Word on thestreets! Think of the Loan Officer atyour branch bank taking a break fromcomputing interest on homeimprovement loans to oldwidow-women in agentrifying intownneighborhood. He goesoutside for a little walk afterchecking the stock marketreport. Boom! The Windswoops down and grabs himbecause some wild streetpreacher was just balancingon the curb and reading theWord. The Loan Officerrepents, never returns to hislittle desk in its pleasantprisoned cubicle; instead, hejoins the Peace Movementand goes to Woodruff Parkand teaches the Police thatJesus was a Peacemakerand gave all he had to the

poor. The man is put in jail because thepolice thought he was panhandling. After being lost at the Fulton County Jailfor three days, his pastor finds him. Unfortunately, the pastor is aprofessional and thus could not have thisirrational behavior in his congregation; sothey ship him to the Los AngelesCatholic Worker. Something like thatcould happen to our Mayor ShirleyFranklin. Something like that happed toPeter Waldo just 835 years ago and isstill going on.

Peter’s conversion must have beenrooted in some deep restlessness andstricken conscience. Anyone whocharges interest, practices usury, even ina capitalistic system which is based uponusury (our Presbytery charges intereston loans to churches), knows it is againstthe will of Yahweh-Elohim.

Peter’s conversion is much likeanother rich man and usurer whomJesus engaged. Just before entering theCapitol city to take on the powerful,Jesus met Zacchaeus (Lu 19.1-10). Zacchaeus, like the quisling Zell Miller,was short. He was a tax collector wholived off the usurious profits of hiscovenantal partners; enough so thatZack was a rich man. Zack, like PeterWaldo and like Dorothy Day and weourselves, was caught in “a filthy rottensystem,” to borrow from Dorothy. Jesussaw Zack up in a sycamore tree andinvited himself to Zack’s home forsupper. Again, like Peter Waldo,Zacchaeus experienced a suddenconversion of the Radical Remnanttype. Repentance is a form of politicaland economic concientization wherebythe death of domination system and thecall to a life of resistance is revealed andformed in the heart of the new believer.

Zach said to Jesus: “Look, halfof my possessions, Lord, I will give to thepoor; and if I have defrauded anyone ofanything, I will pay back four times asmuch.” This is the “cost ofdiscipleship.” When Billy Graham orBishop Eddie Long or any TV evangelisttalks of the numbers of conversions they

Waldo, continued from page 1

The Open Door needs a small,The Open Door needs a small,The Open Door needs a small,The Open Door needs a small,The Open Door needs a small,dependable, fuel-dependable, fuel-dependable, fuel-dependable, fuel-dependable, fuel-efficient carefficient carefficient carefficient carefficient car.....

Can you help us?Can you help us?Can you help us?Can you help us?Can you help us?

Please call us at 404.874.9652 orPlease call us at 404.874.9652 orPlease call us at 404.874.9652 orPlease call us at 404.874.9652 orPlease call us at 404.874.9652 oremail [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

LEO McGUIRE

continued on page 9


A Work of Hospitality:The Open Door Reader,

1982–2002

20TH-ANNIVERSARY ANTHOLOGYNOW AVAILABLE!

384 pp., includes bibliography and index ˜ isbn 0-9715893-0-5

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have notched on their belt, test them out. Have the believers given theirpossessions to the poor? Has restitutionbeen made for the way people or citieshave used their surplus? What if a cityhad 10,000 homeless people and thebenefactors used their surplus to buildthe biggest fish house in America? Whatif the lovers of classical music raised$300 million dollars for a hall where thehighest notes raised high the roofbeams? Yet, these same people did nottithe and give $30 million to build housingfor those who cannot pay rent? Whatdoom awaits such a hardened folk?(Zack did half to the poor and restitutionof four times. This is the NewTestament model based on the JewishScriptures). Let me note as well, pleasedear reader, that the stories ofZacchaeus and Peter Waldo are storiesof rich men who are embedded in thesystem and are successful by thosestandards. Again and again in thesepages, we suggest that our relationshipwith Yahweh-Elohim and Jesus, TheHuman One through Holy Spirit, teachesus that God is on the side of the poor. However, God loves and yearns andsuffers for the rich as well. These twostories are examples of God’s love forthe rich and her care to point out theroad to redemption, salvation, andpractice for the poor. Oh, what a lovingParent we rich folk have in our God!Thank you O Lord!

In 1995 when Murphy was firstdiagnosed with cancer and we were toldshe did not have long to live, Dr. MarilynWashburn told me to get my “desk” inorder. She also wanted to know if ourmarriage and life of intimacy were strongenough to go into this “death watch,” likeour friends on death row when the state ishungry for flesh and the good peopleremain silent (Amos 5.13). So it was withPeter Waldo, as it had been withZacchaeus: first things first. Peter’s beganby lying down his fishing net. He gavemost of his land to his wife and daughters. The remainder of his land and possessionshe did what the Rich Man was invited todo by Jesus: he sold his “stuff” and gavethe money to the poor. Unlike the RichMan who was gloomy and went awayfrom the liberation of the Gospel as if hehad just had thrown up crack cocaine afterbreakfast, Peter Waldo was filled with gleeand he leaped in the streets for joy. Nowthis former money-monger, loan shark,system-sustainer was a disciple of the mostradical man in human history: Jesus, theJew from nowhere named Nazareth.

Next step: Read the Bible. Thedomination system does not want people tounderstand the meaning of Scripture,because amidst all the trash and patriarchyin the Ancient Holy Texts are the mostrevolutionary and abundant life givingvisions and directions that humankind hasin its possession. Thus, the powers ofoppression and belittlement have taughtAmerican Christians to read the Bible

Americanly rather than toread America biblically(William Stringfellow). TheHomeland Church from thefundamentalist SouthernBaptist to the RomanCatholic hierarchy continuethe tradition of the Puritans: We are a city on a hill. Weare the model for Iraq andif they don’t want it, wewill kill them. We havepoverty and an unjust courtsystem, but HomelandChristians believe Goddoesn’t give a damn as theylive in Humvee Mansionsand buy second homes forinvestment purposes (25%of all home buys are secondhomes within a nation of 2million homeless people andthese people scream moralvalues and say God blessesthem with all these MonsterMansions. A little sick,don’t you think? A bitidolatrous, isn’t it?).

Peter wanted to readthe Bible, which almost noone could do in his time. The Holy Roman Empireand the Holy CatholicChurch did not want thescriptures in the hands ofthe people. But Peter kepttrying to get the Word in his

hands. He paid, with what little money hehad left, two priests to translate theGospels and a few Psalms from theVulgate into the language of the streets ofLyons, France. A mighty act of defiance. This finally led to the death of manyfollowers. A revolutionary fire wasblazing in France.

The radical Word was read. The

radical Word was heard. A human beingwas born again, transformed from richloan shark to a faithful disciple of Jesus. He began to preach on the streets. Others heard and joined him. Acommunity was born! The theme of theirlives then and our lives today, based onthe inspired holy Word and authority ofScripture, is that we are to follow Jesus. We are to practice the faith of Jesus aswell as believe in Jesus (says PeteGathje). We must practice what wepreach. The crisis of Christianity today,a very sick religion indeed, is that theyhave substituted a faith in Jesus for thefaith of Jesus. Preachers either don’tpractice what they preach; or theypreach on the latest novel, poem ormovie and there is no practice involvedexcept counting the offering.

As Peter and his partners began tostudy the scriptures for themselveswithout the aids of the theologians andcanon lawyers, they revitalized theRadical Remnant, the DiscipleshipMovement. Certain features came to thefore as gifts from the Holy Spirit, whichare always there.

First, how would they get funding? George W. Barbarossa and theChristian Right had not yet come upwith buying faith based communities forEmpire Work. So, like Jesus, theradical leaders since Moses in Midian,St. Francis to come, and poor people allover the world, but most importantly inAtlanta and Barnacle Marcus’ VagrantFree Triangle, they begged. We beg. Do you beg? The Community, nownamed The Poor Men of Lyons, tookvows of poverty as Jesus invited themso to do. Unlike the United States ofAmerica, the rich and the churchhierarchy loved beggars, they got“merits” for giving them food andmoney, and it made them feel good.Until the Reformation and the rise ofthe middle class, Christians were notafraid of beggars. Now that money isthe means to identity, comfort andsecurity, we are afraid of beggars andour response is to criminalize the poor. The Poor Men of Lyons werecriminalized as well. Like John theBaptist, like Jesus Christ, like the earlychurch, but not for begging and wearingworn out clothes and going barefootedmost of the time. They were criminalizedbecause of the content of the Goodnewsof the Gospel. They embodied what wepreach at 910 and on the streets ofAtlanta: as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.preached on the streets in his day: “Theseare revolutionary times. Our only hope

today lies in our ability to recapture therevolutionary spirit and go out into asometimes hostile world declaring eternalhostility to poverty, racism andmilitarism.” Not the message to pleasePopes, Bishops, Presbytery InvestigatingCommittees, the Police or the rich whouse their wealth to create more wealthinstead of justice. And this little group ofPoor Men were not only men; theyincluded women who served the Lord’sSupper, but not the mass. They wereordained to the Works of Mercy andStreet Preaching, but not the priesthood. As is consistent with Gospel living, theyfound nothing convincing or convicting inAugustine’s Just War theory, and so theypracticed non-violence and peacemaking. In addition, like Karl Marx, theyfelt private property created largelandholdings and caused homelessness, sothey renounced private ownership andheld all possessions in common, as did thebeggars Jesus and his apostles. Theyfasted, like the Pharisees, three times aweek; and their sweets policy was almosta strict as Gladys’ is at our door. The Poor Men of Lyon believedthey were loyal to the church. They didnot question the doctrines, only the Wayof Life of Discipleship, calling theChurch to return to the Way of Jesus. What was needed was a reformation oflife and conduct. (Waldo was a traitorto his class.) No wealth, no interest onloans, no war fare, women’s rights,Bible in the hands of everyone, laity cantouch the elements of the Eucharist. Begging street preachers calling for arevolution of values. So, what can theworld do with such folk? What did wedo with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? Malcolm X? Elijah Lovejoy? In 1179, they were forbidden topreach by the Archbishop of Lyons. SoPeter Waldo went to Pope Alexander III,who approved of his voluntary povertybut forbad his preaching. (Streetpreaching. What happens when you getthe Gospel outside the sanctuary?) StopPreaching the Gospel? Sounds like whatthe Empire and Religious elite tried to doto our St. Paul. Under the Lordship ofJesus, they continued preaching andbuilding the Beloved Community as theRadical Remnant.

Next, in 1184 at the Council ofVerona, they were put under the ban, orexcommunication and condemnation bychurch authorities. They refused torecant their beliefs or stop preaching inthe streets. They were consideredAgitators, Rebels, Time Warped, and athreat to the security of the Church andthe status quo of the Holy RomanEmpire. And most unfairly, they wereconsidered heretics, which meansdeath: fire at the stake, drowning,quartering, or said more simply: TheDeath Penalty.

According to my dictionary ofchurch history: “Although they were inreality schematics, that is doctrine was not

continued from page 8

Waldo, continued on page 11


you do. I do. (I have a family.)So our story picks up when this character is

on the run, afraid for his life, afraid his own brotherwould kill him for being a lowdown thief, sleeping onthe ground—alone, guilty, messed up, scared,homeless, a rock for a pillow, and desperate for awoman. You reckon this guy peed outside while hewas on the road, on foot? We know he did a lot ofurban camping because he was sleeping with hishead on a big rock. Do you suppose he might havepanhandled along the way? Well, of course hepanhandled, because in the ancient Middle East,where this story happened, somewhere between 3500and 4000 years ago, society had a very differentunderstanding of panhandling. Back then, you weresupposed to ask strangers for what you needed, andthey were supposed to give you shelter and food anddrink and whatever else you asked for—and theycalled it hospitality!

Jacob left Beersheba and set out forHaran. When he reached a certain place, hepassed the night there. He took a rock and used itfor a headrest and lay down to sleep there.During the night he had a dream: there was aladder, standing on the ground with its topreaching to heaven; and messengers of God weregoing up and coming down the ladder. Our Godwas there, standing over him, saying “I am yourGod, the God of Sarah and Abraham, the God ofRebecca and Isaac. Your descendants will be likethe specks of dust on the ground; you will spreadto the east and to the west, to the north and to thesouth, and all the tribes of the earth will blessthemselves by you and your descendants. Knowthat I am with you. I will keep you safe whereveryou go, and bring you back to this land; I will notdesert you before I have done all that I havepromised you.” Then Jacob woke and said,“Truly, our God is in this place, and I never knewit!” He was filled with trembling and said, “Howawe-inspiring this place is! This is nothing lessthan the house of God; this is the gate of heaven!”Jacob rose early the next morning, and took thestone he had used as a pillow and set it up as amonument, and anointed it with oil. Jacob namedthe place Bethel—“House of God.”

(Genesis 28:10-19,The Inclusive Hebrew Scriptures)

I told you you wasn’t gonna believe this. Thisliar, this thief, this schemer, was Jacob. The Jacobwho withheld food from his hungry brother Esau inorder to get Esau’s firstborn privileges. The Jacobwho put on animal skins to trick his old blind daddyIsaac into giving him the blessing that rightfullybelonged to his older brother.

Now Jacob apparently got his ethics by wayof his mother, who was a liar, too, and was the brainsbehind this whole thing. See, his mother Rebecca hadheard this prophecy while she was pregnant with thetwins, and the prophecy said the older child would endup serving the younger child. But what it did not saywas that Rebecca needed to lie and cheat to make ithappen. Rebecca just took the deception piece onherself. Like lots of people, Rebecca and Jacob didsomething bad because they didn’t believe they couldget what they wanted by doing something good.

Now, Jacob’s daddy hadn’t been above lyin’himself, either, so Jacob really got it from both sides.Sometimes mama and daddy ain’t the best rolemodels. But Jacob’s behavior didn’t just come fromthe lying gene he seems to have inherited. See, Jacob

had been the underdog brother ever since he was inthe womb—the younger, smaller, weaker twin, whilehis bigger, stronger, macho older brother was daddy’sfavorite. Jacob had been marginalized inside his ownfamily, always had to compete, never felt like he gotenough of anything, including not enough love, and itcaused him to do things he might not have doneotherwise. If he had been the biggest and strongestand most beloved favorite son he might not havebehaved the way that he did; being marginalized canpush you to do things differently than beingprivileged, sometimes.

So here’s Jacob, the fugitive on the run, hisbrother wants him dead, he’s sleepin’ on the ground, aliar, a cheat, pushed out of the family even before heleft, scared, messed up, and lookin’ for a woman.Sounds like quite a catch, doesn’t he?

Well, maybe not everyone’s dream date, untilGod comes to visit to tell him who he really is. Thisfugitive, lowdown, thievin’, sleepin’ on concrete Jacobis loved by God, chosen by God, given a vision in adream, given a promise, is important to God’s big andexciting plans, is included in the covenant. At Jacob’slowest point, God shows up in a powerful way. Itmakes no sense—that’s the beauty and the joy andthe mystery of it. You might think God would saveGod’s blessings for somebody more deserving,somebody who worked hard and earned it, somebodywith better morals. But no. That ain’t the way itworks with Yahweh.

Jacob just thought he was alone, there withhis head on that rock-hard pillow. Turned out he wasin God’s house. Psalm 139, which was our Call toWorship tonight, tells us God is with us wherever weare – getting up, lying down, coming, going. And Goddecided to show Jacob a vision, a path, a stairway(according to Led Zeppelin), a ladder to heaven, withangels cruising up and down on it, showing Jacob theconnection between heaven and earth.

Last summer, after being away from Atlantafor several years, Amy and I moved back and wereturned to worship and volunteering at the OpenDoor. My first job as a volunteer last summer wasWednesday morning showers. For any of you whodon’t know, working showers means that Ira “Butch”Terrell is in charge of your morning. And at that time,Wednesday morning showers also meant that DeanGraham was the one taking the list – and makin’everybody laugh and just generally havin’ a good timein the clothes closet, while we listen to classic soul onthe radio and sing and (attempt to) dance.

I mention Dean Graham because he’s usuallyhere for showers and he comes to volunteer at holidaymeals like Memorial Day (which was also his weddingday), and July 4th, when he brought his lovely brideAdrian with him. Well, this past Monday morning,Dean came to breakfast, where he usually isn’t. Andhe shared that in his own reflections for the pastcouple of weeks, he had been seeing Jacob’s ladder,and he saw our homeless friends at the other end ofthe ladder, the top part that ends in heaven, feastingand having showers – like at the Open Door. This isheaven work. And our friends from the street arechosen by God for the heavenly banquet tables.

Now, while all this was happening at theMonday breakfast, which I knew nothing about at thetime, I was upstairs in my sickbed (and callingdownstairs to my friends Nelia and Calvin forGatorade and bathroom tissue), and I was working onmy sermon and the lectionary passage just happenedto be the story of Jacob’s ladder. I tried to tell youyou wasn’t gonna believe this.

The Holy Spirit of God can blow through anyplace, any person, anytime—and that makes some

people angry, because they’ve got this idea that Godchooses worthy, deserving people (like them). But theGod I know in scripture visits and chooses people whoare broken, mixed up, messed up, hurting—like me,like you, like Jacob, like every person who is poor,hungry, sick, scared, addicted, homeless, panhandling,in prison, sleeping with her head on a rock or sleepingon death row waiting for the death warrant.

These are the ones God calls into love andnew life; these are the ones God sets the table for;these are the ones Jesus spreads his arms wide for(forming a triangle that is the complete reversal of theproposed downtown Atlanta “tourist triangle” thatexcludes our homeless friends); these are the onesJesus wraps a towel around his waist for so he canwash tired, dirty, aching, sore, traveling feet. Theseare the ones at the top of the ladder in heaven,enjoying all the good food and hot water and rest theycould ever dream of.

And Jacob went from sleepin’ on the groundto being the father of the heads of the 12 tribes ofIsrael and his daughter Dinah (with some significantparticipation from Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah,who bore the children). Jacob’s descendants wereGod’s covenant people, the children of promise andblessings, the ones through whom all the nations wouldbe blessed.

It’s right here in the Bible. I didn’t have tomake it up. Believe it. Amen.

Now, you might be thinkin’ to yourself (likeJohn Gilkey said to me one day), “Chrystal, I like you,but you could be wrong.” You might say to me, “Ihaven’t had any dreams or visions, God hasn’t visitedme or talked to me lately, or ever – we can’t all beJacob or Dean Graham – so I’m not feelin’ this ladderup to heaven thing. I’m not feelin’ the promises ofGod.” That, my friends, is part of the beauty of thisEucharist table: the covenant promise of Jesus, hisbody and blood, are right here for all of us messed up,broken, scared, addicted, hurting, sick, lying, cheating,poor, sinful, unbelieving people, even and especiallywhen we aren’t feelin’ it.

There’s an incredible, mysterious, beautiful planto it all. I’ve had a very difficult, sad year filled withdeath and grieving and illness and caregiving and hardchanges and near-crippling anxiety. Last weekend Iwas at my lowest point. And Murphy Davis came upto me, at this low point, and said it’s my turn to preachand celebrate the Eucharist this week. My turn toremember and tell the good news, my turn to talk aboutpromise and hope in Jesus, and why we do notdespair. So I come to this Eucharist table as a beggartonight, as a panhandler, asking for what I sodesperately need, asking for what is right here for me.For us. The table set by Jesus. And we didn’t workfor it or earn it or deserve it. All we can do is receive itand enjoy it and celebrate it and praise God for it. Fora love so big and powerful that it changes us; for a loveso big and powerful that we won’t fully understand it,or believe that God has come to us, until we are at theother end of the ladder.

Beggars, continued from page 1

On page 6 of the August 2005 Hospitality, weinadvertently omitted the name of OakhurstBaptist Church, Decatur, GA, from the list ofchurches that faithfully provide vans andvolunteer drivers for the Hardwick Prison Trip.

We apologize for this omission, and celebrate ourpartnership with Oakhurst Baptist.

Correction


Grace and Peacesof Mail

RITA CORBIN

the issue, the refusal not to preach was the originalreason for persecution and the ban, the theologianswere threatened by their use of the Bible in thelanguage of the people. The Theologians finagled tohave the Poor Men of Lyons, the Waldensians,condemned as heretics. This meant that the deathpenalty could be used” (emphasis added). TheChurch and Empire decided to kill the street preachersfor their active love, reading and practicing of theBible, most particularly the Gospels of Matthew,Mark, and Luke. For like the Radical RemnantMovement today, the Church, the Government, theBanker, the Racist, the Far Right, we all know that theScriptures are the most revolutionary writing in theentire universe. When people put them into practice,the powers howl, death chews its fat, bombs aredropped and a child is born in a manger, because thereis not room in the End. (Watch for the Signs: we willbe out of oil in 37 years.)

The Edict drove The Poor Men of Lyons outof Lyons and scattered them over Southern Europe,where they found many followers. They also foundmuch persecution and execution. In 1229, at theCouncil of Toulouse, more than 60 Waldensians wereburned at the stake. In 2005, Father Bob Cushing ofAugusta, Georgia was run from his parish church bythe Bishop of Savannah for going to Japan toapologize for the dropping of the A bomb, especiallyon civilians. The burning stake of the Inquisition (theycould have least used a cross) is the equivalent of ourbombs today. Bishops and Ministers bless both.

Peter Waldo, fugitive preacher and radicalpractitioner of the Way of Jesus, died 1209 inBohemia. He is forgotten in the center of Christianlife, but lives and moves and leads and encourages uson the margins. The Waldensians are the onlyMedieval Sect to still exist. They are strong in theItalian Alps. Dr. Paul T. Fuhrmann, a Waldensianfrom Italy, was a teacher of mine at ColumbiaTheological Seminary. When I joined to the facultythere in 1971, I moved into the house his wife had justvacated. He had a short time before committedsuicide. He was in despair; he felt the rise of a farright and soft totalitarianism coming to America.

About the time of our forgotten brother’sdeath, another man was coming to notice. Francis ofAssisi. Like the Waldensians, the Franciscanspracticed Jesus’ Way by a literal application of thegospels. But Francis was centered on his LadyPoverty and a Spiritual power that went along with thePope when orders were given. Today, Peter isforgotten, and St. Francis is most revered in Atlantawhen the Cathedral invites all the rich people to bringtheir dogs, cats, exotic animals and reptiles for aFranciscan blessing. One must tip one’s hat to thepower of death in Atlanta. For St. Francis was abeggar and Central Atlanta Progress would have himrun out of the Vagrant Free Triangle, the successor toCentral Atlanta Progress’ Negro Removal Act of the1950s. But instead St. Francis is remembered as acute little man preaching to birds and feeding wolves. I think Peter Waldo’s dangerous memory tops St.Francis’ domestication.

Peter Waldo and his Movement did not

develop a theology beyond the gospels, which theyread literally like the Christian Right, all theFundamentalists, and the Southern Baptist all claim todo. But we now know there were no Weapons ofMass Destruction. Don’t we?

Eduard Loring is a Partner at the Open DoorCommunity.

Waldo, continued from page 9

Dear Murphy,Your Pentecost sermon (“Pentecost: Experiencing

Truth, Practicing Dangerous Memory,” by Murphy Davis,July 2005) was excellent. It told the story accurately, andyou applied it very appropriately. It was powerful in itsimpact. I congratulate you. Much love.

Uncle MurphR. Murphy Williams, Jr.Retired Presbyterian ministerDallas, TX

Thank you for your faith and witness. I appreciateHospitality and include it as a part of my daily devotionals.The articles keep me focused on the important issuesconnected to poverty, homelessness, and prison. Yourwork influences my work in a positive way.

Sam McGregor JrRock Hill, SC

Dear Open Door,I want to tell you how much you mean to me and I

admire your work. If I were younger and in a bit betterhealth I’d apply to be a resident for awhile. But as it is I’dprobably be only a burden. Anyway, I’m with you in spirit.

Would you please send Hospitality to my twosons. If you could I’d like them to get the March issue. Ithought it was especially good and I don’t want to partwith my issue.

My love,Joy OrthTenino, WA

Thanks for staying in touch and sharing thisjourney with us. Our short stay at the Open Door (in 1994)continues to be a benchmark for us and Hospitality anamazing gift and encouragement and challenge. We’ve justreturned to Millville, our home base.

In Jesus’ all-embracing love,Pauline RedmondJack MillerMillville, MN

Hospitality:I wish to join Janice Buttrum in response to the

criticism of Murphy Davis by Mr. Andrew McCaskill (seeLetters, March 2005 and June 2005). To suggest thatMurphy exploits causes for self-promotion is absurd. Youcannot know her or the ministry. The ignorance is obvious.

I met Murphy and Ed in the seventies when DeathRow was at the Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. Theypastored Clifton Presbyterian Church. On a monthly basisthe van would be filled with gasoline and prayers as theytraveled across the state. They came to comfort, toencourage, to strengthen, to validate.

Six weeks after the birth of their lovely daughterHannah, Murphy placed this wondrous gift in my arms.The trust and care demonstrated blesses me to this day.She shared herself and her family.

In ’80 the electric chair was moved to Jackson.The visits continued. There was also the regular lettersrich with hope and compassion. The correspondencecontinues faithfully.

Most have forgotten the annual Mothers MarchAgainst the Death Penalty. The actions did not ceasebecause the media lost interest. Participation waned.Society developed a different posture.

Each Christmas Murphy insures that everyonehere has a holiday package. Candy, cookies, nuts, andacknowledgement. She tries to honor the season andrespect our humanity.

As she battled cancer time and again, we were notforgotten. A bald head and a full heart came into thisprison to wait an hour for a sixty minute visit speaks tocommitment.

There were no reporters, no cameras, as we sang“Amazing Grace,” circled in fellowship. She and Ed prayfor the staff here, our attorneys, our families, and us. Youwill not read about that in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Almost three decades of publicly displayingprivate beliefs entitles Murphy to admiration. She hasintegrity, even if not popularity.

The attack puzzles. Has Murphy irritated yourconscience? Troubled your Spirit? Challenged yourcharacter?

When last did you offer kindness to a condemnedperson? Feed or clothe the homeless? Even ask whatJesus would have you do?

Maybe you are begging for attention?Smile! Click.

Jack Alderman (prisoner on death row)

P.S. I thank God for Murphy Davis.

Just got the most recent Hospitality, which Idevoured cover to cover. It was fantastic. I was there thatyear with Zdenek (“Connections,” by Zdenek Rossman,July 2005) and remember him so fondly. Lots ofthoughts about the connection to Mother Earth fromLauren’s (“A Proper Regard for the Soil,” by LaurenCogswell, June 2005) article. It puts me in mind of amovement that I’ve become interested in lately, founded inItaly, called Slow Food. There is a beautiful book whichexplains the movement, highlights a handful of spotsaround the world which have been recognized by themovement for producing traditional food in time-honoredways, and gives recipes. I would love to have a copy sentto the Open Door, if you think there is interest and if youdon’t already have one.

Betsy Cameron and Mark GrayCounty DonegalIreland


From 11am ‘til 1:30pm, Wednesday and Thursday, our attention is focused on serving the soup kitchen and household lunch. As much as we appreciate your coming, thisis a difficult time for us to receive donations. When you can come before 11 or after 1:30, it would be helpful. THANK YOU!

Open Door Community Ministries

JEANSmen’s work shirtsunderwear for menwomen’s underwear

men’s beltssocks

EYEGLASSES, READING GLASSESWALKING SHOES for men and women

(especially 9 ½ and up)T-SHIRTS: LARGE, XL, XXL, XXXL

BASEBALL CAPSVACCUUM CLEANERS

LAWN MOWER

Needs of the CommunityFOOD PROCESSOR

hams and turkeys for our Soup Potsandwichesquick grits

cheeseCOFFEE

multi-vitaminsMARTA tokenspostage stamps

MINIVAN IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITIONalarm clocks

DOUBLE BED SHEETSFUTON SOFA

50-CUP PERCOLATOR

We are open…Monday through Saturday: We answer telephones from 9:00a.m. until noon, and from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. The building is openfrom 9:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday for dona-tions. (We do not answer phone and door during our noon prayersand lunch break from 12:30 until 2:00.) Please call in advance if youneed to arrange to come at other times.

On Sunday we invite you to worship with us at 5 p.m. and join us,following worship, for a delicious supper.

DOUBLE BEDdisposable razors

deodorantvaselineCOMBS

HAIR BRUSHEStoothbrushes

toothpaste (travel sized)LIP BALM

SOAP (any size)SHAMPOO (FULL SIZED)

shower powderlotion (small bottles)

BLANKETS

Join Us for Worship!Join Us for Worship!Join Us for Worship!Join Us for Worship!Join Us for Worship! Clarification Meetingsat the Open Door

We will meet for clarification onselected Tuesday evenings

in September from 7:30-9 pm.

Plan to join us fordiscussion and reflection!

Medicine Needs List

ibuprofenlubriderm lotion

COUGH DROPSnon-drowsy allergy tablets

COUGH MEDICINE (alcohol free)

FOOT CLINIC NEEDSepsom salt

anti-bacterial soapshoe inserts

corn removal padsexfoliation cream (e.g. apricot scrub)

pumice stonesfoot spa

cuticle clipperslatex gloves

nail files (large)toenail clippers (large)

medicated foot powder antifungal cream (Tolfanate)

(for our Thursday EveningHarriet Tubman Free Medical Clinic

and Soul Foot Care Clinic)

We are also lookingfor volunteersto help staff ourSoul Foot Care Clinic!

For the latest information andscheduled topics, please call

404-874-9652 or seewww.opendoorcommunity.org.

We gather for worship and Eucharist at 5 p.m. each Sunday, followed by supper together.We gather for worship and Eucharist at 5 p.m. each Sunday, followed by supper together.We gather for worship and Eucharist at 5 p.m. each Sunday, followed by supper together.We gather for worship and Eucharist at 5 p.m. each Sunday, followed by supper together.We gather for worship and Eucharist at 5 p.m. each Sunday, followed by supper together.Our worship space is limited, so if you are considering bringing a group to worship,Our worship space is limited, so if you are considering bringing a group to worship,Our worship space is limited, so if you are considering bringing a group to worship,Our worship space is limited, so if you are considering bringing a group to worship,Our worship space is limited, so if you are considering bringing a group to worship,

please contact us at 770-246-7621. Please check www.opendoorcommunity.orgplease contact us at 770-246-7621. Please check www.opendoorcommunity.orgplease contact us at 770-246-7621. Please check www.opendoorcommunity.orgplease contact us at 770-246-7621. Please check www.opendoorcommunity.orgplease contact us at 770-246-7621. Please check www.opendoorcommunity.orgor call us for the most up-to-date worship schedule.or call us for the most up-to-date worship schedule.or call us for the most up-to-date worship schedule.or call us for the most up-to-date worship schedule.or call us for the most up-to-date worship schedule.

DANIEL NICHOLS

Our Hospitality Ministries also include visitation and letter writing toprisoners in Georgia, anti-death penalty advocacy, advocacy for thehomeless, daily worship and weekly Eucharist.

Soup Kitchen: Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. – noon.Weekday Breakfast: Monday and Tuesday, 6:45 a.m.Showers: Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.Use of Phone: Monday – Tuesday, 6:45 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.,

Wednesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – noon.Harriet Tubman Free Medical Clinic and

Soul Foot Care Clinic: Thursdays, 7:00 p.m.Clarification Meetings: some Tuesdays, 7:30 – 9 p.m.Weekend Retreats: Four times each year (for our household,

volunteers and supporters). Prison Ministry: Monthly trip to prisons in Hardwick, GA,

in partnership with First Presbyterian Church of Milledgeville;The Jackson (Death Row) Trip; Pastoral visits in various jailsand prisons

September 4September 4September 4September 4September 4 Short Eucharist at 910 followed by Songs of the Labor Movement

September 11September 11September 11September 11September 11 No Worship at 910The community will join the Prison andJail Project in Blakely, GA for the firstleg of the annual Freedom Walk

September 18September 18September 18September 18September 18 Worship at 910Nelia Kimbrough preaching

September 25September 25September 25September 25September 25 Worship at 910Sen. Vincent Fort preachingThis service will begin our celebration of theFestival of Shelters (see page 7 for details)

September 2005 Beggars at the Tableopendoorcommunity.org/HospSep05.pdfPermit No. 1264 Address...

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Transcript of September 2005 Beggars at the Tableopendoorcommunity.org/HospSep05.pdfPermit No. 1264 Address...