9
July
2007
Perhaps I am insanely paranoid, but I find the National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-20) profoundly disturbing. Stated simply, it can be read as saying that, if an event occurs that the president declares to be a “catastrophic emergency,” in the name of preserving continuity of government functions at all levels, the president, through Homeland Security and National Security can do whatever he pleases. He will coordinate the activities of the legislative and judicial branches of government.
It is unlikely that this directive was issued without forethought as to its use. Although the directive mentions natural disasters, the focus is on an attack by our enemies. I doubt that Bush would have issued this directive for the sake in order to empower a possibly Democratic successor. I suspect that he anticipates at least a real chance that he will have the opportunity to put it into effect himself. But does he really think that our enemies will be in position during the next year or so to pull off a major attack against us, one that he could declare to be a catastrophic emergency? That seems implausible.
What then may be the reasoning? It is most likely to be related to Iran. Concern about Iran is not limited to those who have made no secret of their desire that the United States wage war against it, such as the leaders of Israel and Dick Cheney. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: Founders, Happening in the World
21
June
2007
A sermon by Rev. Dr. George F. Regas on the 50th Anniversary of his ordination
All Saints Church
June 17, 2007
Fifty years ago today, June 17, I was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church. So there is one distinct place where my reflections today relate to a Father’s Day celebration. After my ordination 50 years ago on June 17, some people began calling me Father Regas!
Now some of you think I must have been 10 years old when I was ordained! Just keep on thinking that.
Fifty years a priest – some reflections. Part of my sermon is autobiographical for only through these lenses can I accurately describe a 50 year ministry.
I.
As many of you know, I am the son of a Greek immigrant who came to America from Patras, Greece. He arrived in New York in 1903 by himself when he was 13 years old, speaking no English. Like so many at the turn of the century, he wanted to come to the New World with its glorious promise of opportunities.
He washed dishes in New York restaurants, learned to cook, worked on building railroads across the country. Five years later his two brothers joined him, and they eventually made their way to Knoxville, TN. In 1919, he opened Regas Brothers Café. It was only an 18 stool counter in the beginning, but over the years grew into one of the south’s premier restaurants. After 88 years, it is still going at the same location in Knoxville.
My mother died when I had just turned 5; my father, who never remarried, died when I was 21. The deep impoverishment of a little boy without a mother, and with a father who operated a restaurant which was open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, gave shape to my life.
My father was a powerful influence in my life; I deeply loved and cherished him.
His love for America was palpable. He was always so thankful for what this country had offered him that he never stopped giving back.
He would often say to me, “go and make something of yourself, son.” The driving ambition for accomplishment and excellence so embedded in my soul by this father was a blessing and a curse. I’ve spent a lifetime struggling with those angels and demons. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: Founders
18
April
2007
A reflection from John Cobb, PCU co-founder and theologian
We owe to Al Gore, along with some authoritative scientific reports, a new burst of energy to save the planet. We must hope that this energy can be channeled in genuinely fruitful directions. At present it is directed toward band aids to stem the external bleeding of a world that is suffering from profound internal injuries.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: Founders, Happening in the World
14
August
2006
Jesus’ teaching that he who takes up the sword will perish by the sword, like so many of his sayings, cannot be taken as accurately describing the situation for every individual who goes to war, or for every nation that does so. Yet, also like so many of his other sayings, it deserves to be taken seriously. At a minimum it means that when our basic response to every threat is destruction of those who pose the threat, it is likely that the threat will grow. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: Founders
20
July
2006
A reflection given by Rev. George Regas at the meeting of Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace, July 7, 2006.
Carl Sandburg was asked just before he died what he thought was the worst word, the most despicable word, in the English language. Without hesitation, he replied – exclusivism.
Exclusivism is a terrible word because it is a terrible reality. Everyone has experienced it at some point and at some level in our life – some at minor places; others have been traumatized by vicious exclusions. Christianity is very often presented in the most exclusionary ways. Christ is the only way to a saving faith. There is no other way to God. My God is bigger than your God.
My father’s best friend was a Jew in Knoxville who owned a jewelry store. My father loved to tell the story of running into his friend, Max Friedman, at a Catholic service one day. “I’m surprised to see you here, Max.” “Well I just don’t intend to go to hell on a technicality!”
We laugh but exclusivism is dead serious. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: Founders
6
June
2006
A speech given by Rev. George Regas at the inauguration of the Orange County chapter of PCU.
I want to take on two wedge issues of the religious right and much of the Republican Party: gay marriage and abortion, and look at them through a theological lens. Then I want to turn to a third issue: a brief word on the church’s political responsibility - and conclude with some observation on the frequent absence of the sacred among so many mainline Protestant Churches. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: Founders, Orange County
31
May
2006
A sermon preached at All Saints Church, May 21, 2006
From Lake Wobegon, Garrison Keillor tells some wonderful stories. Here’s one:
A lone cowboy is riding across the range, that beautiful open country out where (as the old song says) the deer and the antelope play. The cowboy approaches a herd of buffalo, dismounts, walks up to one of the animals, looks it over, and says: “Yuk! Just look at you. Look at that matted hair, those bloodshot eyes, that foul breath. Yuk!” Then the cowboy mounts his horse and rides off into the sunset.
The buffalo thinks for a moment, then turns to another buffalo and says, “You know, we seldom hear that kind of thing around here. But I think I’ve just heard a discouraging word.”
Although many of us thought the issues of creation and science and God had been worked through several decades ago – we are today hearing some discouraging words from our Christian fundamentalist sisters and brothers, denying Darwin’s theory of evolution and affirming the literal truth of the Genesis story of creation in six days, 6,000 years ago. Today I don’t intend to allow you to be discouraged for long. So now to Creation, Science and God. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: Founders
