Mark Calhoun

Relay For Life 2009

The evening of June 20th, into the wee hours of June 21st, proved to be an awesome night in the life and times of the Calhoun clan.  One year and 4 days after Julie's diagnosis of thyroid cancer, we found ourselves gathered alongside our team members and 100's of others who came together at the high-school track to raise funds and awareness for the pursuit of a cure for cancer. The night began with a reception for survivors, then a survivors lap, then a family lap, then a team lap. Our team, the 'Cheerful Heart/Polson United Methodist Church' team ended up with the award for best enthusiasm and a plaque for the non-corporate team that raised the most money. Overall our team raised over $4100.00. We are grateful to our friends and family who helped our family raise over $400.00 to contribute to the cause. Julie logged 13 miles and the boys were close behind. While it was a long night, it was one of the best things we have ever done as family. Thanks for your prayers, support, and encouragement.

 

A few photos here...

A few videos...

Photoshare ~ National Cathedral, Washington D.C.

   

   

 

Ecumenical Advocacy Days ~ 2

It has been a very busy couple of days at Ecumenical Advocacy Days. On Saturday, I sat in on several great sessions:

• Meeting the needs of poor working and unemployed families

  •  Interesting statistics here...including, but not limited to the reality that In February there were 27 million people not working as compared to 16 million in 2007, and the reality that people who are working for minimum wage now are actually working for less pay than their counterparts in 1997. 30% of US workers do not get health Benefits and 50% do not get pension benefits, things that were the norm for some in the 70's. Sounds like places like Costco and In and Out Burger are providing wages above or equal to the minimum wage and offer a few benefits. Let Justice Roll is aiming for a $10 / hr minimum wage by 2010.

• Lunch with 100 other United Methodist... this was 'interesting'... interesting in the way that an institutionalized denomination deals with things like Justice and advocacy.
• Media Advocacy - We talked about all kinds of ways to use media outlets for advocacy.
• The last session of the day, for me, was a screening of documentary 'Scarred Lands and Wounded Lives'. If you enjoy creation in any way, or breath... get a copy of this DVD... better yet, buy four copies, keep one for yourself, send one to your local high school, and send two to DC... one for each of your state senators. I had an opportunity to sit next to Lincoln Day for the screening...

Sunday began with a plenary session, 'Confronting Climate Change and Global Poverty - Seeking Sustainability and Justice' by Kenyan Professor Eunice Kamaara... great quote from her, 'we don't share in pity, we share in compassion.' Following the plenary, I took in a session called Advocacy 201 and learned exactly how to participate in a Capitol Hill Visit.... scary, very scary, but I think I can handle especially representing Polson and the Mission Valley on the issue of Climate Change and how it impacts Vulnerable communities such as low-income and American Indian Communities. My lunch session was with five others from Montana who will be traveling with me to Capitol Hill tomorrow. This session gave us an opportunity to plan our Strategy. The final session of the day was initiated by our Franciscan Brothers and Sisters who led us in worship, and was drawn to a close with a Q and A session with a handful of Congressional staffers.

I also found some time in the afternoon to head over to the National Cathedral... quite a structure. I suppose that the monthly utility bill could feed quite a few hungry people across the country. While today was filled with all sorts of good information, my mind was constantly distracted by the way all of this impacts a community like Polson, Flathead Lake, the reservation and place like Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks... and especially the farmers and ranchers in our area... the implications are huge...I all also spent a good portion of the day thinking about what it means to be an advocate... Main Entry: 1ad·vo·cate 
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English advocat, from Anglo-French, from Latin advocatus, from past participle of advocare to summon, from ad- + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice — more at voice
Date: 14th century
1: one that pleads the cause of another ; specifically : one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court
2: one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal
3: one that supports or promotes the interests of another

I remember one time in seminary reading a book containing stories of someone who had a fairly good take on what it means to be an advocate... "And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?  And he answered them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' " Perhaps tomorrow is our opportunity to speak for those who can't.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days ~ 1

Today marked the beginning of the the 7th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington DC. EAD 09' is a gathering designd to explore ways to bring about a world with 'Enough for All Creation.' The Gathering is designed to create space to learn about the connections between climate change, migration and poverty in the U.S. and around the world. Folks are coming together with other faith-based advocates and activists from across the United States to discuss the abundance of our world and how it can be allocated in a way that is fair and just for all creation.

Opening worship included a number of musical offerings from the St. Camillus Multicultural Choir and a message from Rev. Sean McDonagh, SSC... a Columban Missionary Peace.

DC - Justice and Advocacy Commission Meeting

This week I am in Washington DC for a meeting, followed by a conference. Back in November of 2007, I was elected, by the GCCUIC arm of the United Methodist Denomination, to serve for the next four years as a representative to the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. In particular, I serve on the Justice and Advocacy Commission and within that I am on the International Affairs and Peace committee. Our commission meets once or twice a year to deal with fairly specific issues of Justice and Advocacy from an ecumenicalperspective. It seems to me that we are still in the process of getting ourselves organized under the direction of new leadership (both at the commission level and at the national level), but we did have a productive gathering and many encouraging things were shared. Opening remarks included some questions from the General Secretary of the NCC, Michael Kinnamon.

• What is the Christian Understanding of War in an age terrorism (extended perhaps to Violence)?
• What is the Christian Understanding of the economy  in an age of scarcity?
• What is the Christian Understanding of Creation in a time of environmental concerns?
• What is the Christian Understanding of Racial and Gender Justice in an age of [continued discrimination]?
• What is the Christian understanding of Community in an age of fragmentation?

In addition to these questions, our International Affairs and Peace Committee dealt with a few letters and requests in a breakout session.

• Violence in the Philippines - the abduction and killing of religious leaders
• Lifting the ban on travel to Cuba in order to advocate for the churches and citizens there.

During the second day of our meeting we were invited to sit in on a panel discussion that was focused on transforming the No Child Left Behind legislation... lots of folks unhappy about the current state of NCLB, but very optimistic at the prospects that a new administration brings...

While the meeting was very productive, I am still left wondering what the face of ecumenism looks like in a postmodern, post-institutional, post everything environment. It seems to me that the rhythm is shifting and I am wondering if the ecumenical movement can shift with it. I am convinced that ecumenism and justice and advocacy look very different in a postmodern context and are no longer a reflection of the characteristics that gave shape to the cultural context in which they were formed. I think in our current context, things like Justice and Advocacy, Ecumenism, and interfaith realations cannot be taght, learned, propogated, forced, or encouraged... I think they are built into this context's DNA. I believe these things to be embodied in our identity and rythym of life...

On the road...

... traveling to Washington DC (Alexandria VA) for a National Council of Churches meeting for the Justice and Advocacy Commission and Ecumenical Advocacy days. The trip out to DC was fairly uneventful... except for the 10 minute layover in Chicago... no airport hot-dog... and a bit of a scuffle on the plane from Denver to Chicago. Early into the flight, Girl 'A' (seat 20a) kicks her seat back to the fully reclined position... Girl 'B' (seat 21b)throws a very pronounced fit by shaking her head in disgust and looking around for sympathy. A few minutes later girl 'a' readjusts herself by leaning forward and then throwing her body back into her seat... girl 'b' responds by pushing her knee into the seat-back. A few minutes pass... girl 'a' readjusts, throws herself back into her reclined seat... and girl 'b' responds by punching the back of the headrest... causing girl 'a' to respond by standing up and turning around... by the time I got my headphones off the and got myself to a front row spot the verbal exchange had ended. Girl 'a' responded to the verbal exchange by readjusting herself in the seat for about 30 seconds... girl 'b' responded by reclining her seat into the knees of the person behind her and promptly going to sleep... Awesome!! Nothing like in flight fits to keep a flight interesting.

MOA # 5 ~ Big Prairie - Glacier N.P. - Winter Trip

Big Prairie - Winter Camping/Skiing Trip...
Polebridge Entrance
Glacier National Park

Distance from Polson to trailhead: 101 Miles
Driving time: 2 hour 18 minutes

One Way Skiing Statistics ~
Polebridge Ranger Station to Big Prairie: 3.59 miles
Skiing Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Ascent (elevation): 64 feet
Trailhead elevation: +- 3535 feet
Big Prairie elevation: +- 3599 feet

Round Trip Skiing Statistics ~
Trip Odometer: 7.34 miles  ~ Maximum Speed: 6.5 mph
Moving Time: 2 hour 25 minutes  ~ Moving Average: 3.0 mph
Stopped Time: 3 hours 17 minutes ~ Overall Average: 1.0 mph
Total Ascent: 64 feet   ~ Maximum Altitude: 3599 feet

This short 3-day trip was the result of our scouting trip a few months back. The weather was pretty good... actually a little too nice for a winter trip... in the teens at night and the 40s-50s during the day. The snow pack on the trail was probably 2-3 feet, but melting rapidly. We were able to set up camp on the river bed just across the bridge from the Polebridge Ranger Station. Our thought was that there would be some elk, a moose or two, or some wolves in Big Prairie... a few tracks, but no wildlife. The skiing was pretty good... we experienced some rain and sleet and the snow was pretty sticky on the way out, but it was a excellent day for an outing. The camp site was great... not sure if it was a 'parking' area or a camp site, but it worked well for the staging of our first Lent-pedition... just like a regular expedition only with fasting, tearing of sackcloth, and weeping and gnashing of teeth. We did hear the wolves at night, and see a bunch of tracks, but no furry creatures up close and personal. A few photos here...

 

Dear High School, College, and Adulthood Ski Buddies...

... forgive me for I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. As of today at 5:00 pm (Mountain time) I have crossed over to the dark side by bringing home my first pair of skinny skis... that's right... cross country skis. I have, in my weakened state, succumbed to the great Montana 'way'. True to the manly man downhill skiers pledge of Jackson Hole, I promise to not be seen in public with said skinny skis... I pledge to store them out of visible sight... I pledge to destroy all photographic proof... I promise to return to fat skis in order that all of the celestial orbs will return to their proper cosmic alignment... and I pledge that I shall not fall from grace a second time... unless of course their is something fun and exciting about this age old winter 'sport' :-) . Do I have to wear the spandex?

That is all!!!

Thoughts on Dr. Ed...

Our good friend Dr. Ed Cook fell asleep in the Lord on February 20th... Although I can't quite remember exactly when I first met Ed, perhaps in the early 90's shortly after meeting Shayna for the first time, I will never forget him and what he has come to mean to me over the years. Most recently, Ed served as the master of ceremonies at our farewell celebration in June of 2008. Over the past few years Ed represented stability and God's Grace as our family lived through the stress of career changes, seminary, and the prospect of relocation. Ed was always concerned for the welfare of our family and always had an encouraging word in our times of need. While Ed challenged all who surrounded him with well crafted questions, he also freely offered answers and solutions to questions, struggles, and problems that I pushed his way. I spent some time tonight sifting through Dr. Ed emails and word documents that date as far back a 2002... in each of them was a consistency that seems unparalleled in my experience of communication and friendship. As I look over the subject headings of some of Ed's emails, I am reminded of the Ed that I know and of the Ed that transformed the way that I view the world, God, and life: 'thoughts on purpose', 'postmodernism paper', 'survey results procedure', 'pomo book', evangelism', 'church', 'did I help', 'my thoughts', 'evaluation', 'excellent description of sin and grace', 'borg', 'teilhard', and 'divine luring'... just to list a few. Barrymentioned Ed's fondness for Gandhi and a quote that he frequently ended emails with, but before Gandhi was this... "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has". And one of my favorite Ed quotes in response to one of my many ecclesial struggles... "I certainly understand your concerns.  However, I believe we need to proceed with a paradigm based on the basic teachings of the NT (particularly the gospels) --   justice, peace, courage, mercy, love, and practical wisdom.  However, we DO need to proceed.  In other words, proceed using a virtuous approach." Ed is one virtuous dude that I shall never forget...

Dear Ed,

"...but I have called you friend, because [you] have made known to [me] everything that [you] have heard from God"

God Speed...

Other thoughts on Ed here and here

Living the United Methodist Way...

The past few days I have had the opportunity to represent the Polson Church and the Yellowstone Conference of the United Methodist Church at a national, quadrennial training event in Jacksonville Florida. There are 22 of us from Montana and Wyoming gathered here to equip ourselves, our churches, and the conference for mission and ministry in the coming years. We have gathered around two simple, things… our mission, 'to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world' and our four focus areas… Leadership Development ~ Creating new places for people to express themselves spiritually ~ Mission to the poor ~ Global health. For each of the focus areas there is one plenary session and a collection of workshops geared toward each area. In addition, we have had opportunities to meet together as a conference leadership team and with Bishop Stanovsky in a joint session with the Rocky Mountain Conference.
In particular, I have taken part in a technology breakout session, a workshop on ecumenism, a workshop on reaching the disillusioned, and a workshop on a spiritual approach to the elimination of poverty (imagine that). It has been nice to hook up with friends from across the country as well as make some new ones. On Thursday night, a few of us made a new friend in the form a cab driver (catching a cab ride in a new town is always an engaging practice) who told us a bit about his story as an immigrant from Haiti. As a former mayor of a town in Haiti, and with a shade of hope in his voice, Edrique told us about his dreams of returning to his country. On a sad note, he also shared a bit about the destruction that has plagued his country at the hands of a few of our previous governmental leaders.
A few memorable quotes from the plenaries and workshops…
 ○ Salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted… MLK jr.
 ○ ...kneel before the poor and see in their face the face of Christ with hope that they might see the face of Christ in ours…
 ○ What economic habits can our church let go of in order to help the poor…
 ○ We need to live more simply so that others can simply live…
 ○ As is your power, so is your responsibility…
 
Our objective over these few days has been to re-imagine the ways in which we might rethink the church and turn things upside-down…

A worthy quote… Acts 17:6-7  'When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, "These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests.'

May we too be dragged into the streets because of our attempts to turn the world upside down...

A few pictures here...