|
 |
|
ANNUAL board MEETING: Dr. Louis Butcher, "Seek Peace and pursue it"Sunday, January 25, 2009 LISTEN TO THIS EVENT...
John A. Lapp, President of LIPW, chaired the meeting, reading familiar words "worth hearing a second time." He quoted passages from Barak Obama's inaugural address: "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord." He also read passages from George McGovern's article published in the Washington Post, calling upon the new president to give Afghanistan a "time out" and feed hungry children. And he read from Rev. Joseph Lowery's benediction at the Inaugural... "We go now to walk together, pledging that we won't get weary in the difficult days ahead." In contrast to Lapp's words of hope and unity, Robert Lowing, Secretary, read the minutes of the Annual Board Meeting a year ago, which emphasized the divisive rhetoric and illegal polices of the Bush Administration. Lowing said the Board acted globally by placing a half page newspaper advertisement supporting a pastoral letter written by the United Church of Christ, that called for an end to the bloodshed in Iraq and helped the Lancaster Coalition for Peace and Justice stage an anti war rally commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War. Acting locally, the board discussed community violence with the Lancaster Human Relations Commission; it supported board member Ken Trauger's call to attend the Lancaster County Crime Summit; the board ratified the Pennsylvania Death Penalty Moratorium resolution; and formed a subcommittee for peace education. Bob Webber reported that the Middle East Interest Group Advocacy Breakfasts gathered to hear reports, share experiences, and develop alliances for the purpose of "specific, active engagement." Their growth from 15 to 29 regular participants is one indication of the need for this group. Some of the recent topics under discussion include Alternatives to the Two-State Solution, the Occupation, and the Gaza War. Dr. Bob Martin reported on the Nazareth Hospital, Ed Martin on Iran; David and Mary Ann Johnson on their AFSC Service in Amman; Bob and Peggy Hannum on their travels in five Mid Eastern Countries. Urbane Peachey, Chair of the Program Committee, explained the purpose of this Committee: "We try to provide a picture window on the world using a perspective otherwise lacking in church and society. I believe churches focus on personal religion – piety, charity and personal ethics and neglect a collective witness on public life and policy. LIPW, I think, helps to compensate for the gap." The 2008 speaker series included Paul Abernathy, Iraq Veterans Against the War; Dr. Willard Swartley, a New Testament scholar and peace educator; Daniel Levy, Middle East Peace negotiator; and David Commins, Islamic scholar. Bob Webber introduced the keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Louis A. Butcher. Rev. Butcher addressed what it meant for Americans to elect the first African American to the nation's highest office and what churches will be doing in light of these changes. "What does all this mean?" Rev. Butcher asked, and looked for the answer in King's "I Have a Dream," speech. Rev. Butcher believed that Dr. King did not expect to reach the "Promised Land" in his lifetime, but he thought his children would and we would get there, too. Rev. Butcher said that the "Promised Land" meant that African American people would achieve equality. But by "We", he meant the American people. We would get to the Promised Land together. Rev. Butcher said he always believed an African American would be elected president some day, but what was more significant "...is that a candidate of color became president in a country when the majority is white." He also spoke of the African American youth, whose hopes were linked with Obama. Obama's use of technology turned youth to something more than entertainment, music and games. "They see fewer limits," Butcher said, "but it may not last." Rev. Butcher said the election had encouraged the faith community. He claimed it was a bold move to have Rev. Rick Warren and Rev. Joseph Lowery speak at the inauguration. "The liberal and the conservative held their ground," he observed. The Number One hope Rev. Butcher held, was that this was a sign that dialogue would occur. He is doing his part to carry out the dialogue. Rev. Butcher writes monthly opinion column in the Lancaster Sunday News. When readers to write him, he answers them. He said that when the black church and the white church get together, they are uncomfortable with their different backgrounds. Black churches do not have resources others have. He described the relationship between Bright Side Baptist Church and Dr. Randy Riggs and the First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster: "The laity suggest that we should be intentional about getting to know each other outside church."
John Lapp then asked the audience to form small discussion groups and make demands of LIPW for 2009. The dialogue was lively and urged LIPW to encourage youth to think globally and act locally. The audience demanded more diversity in LIPW. LIPW has to be more conspicuous: invite seminary students to be interns – from Lancaster, Myerstown, and Lancaster Bible College... Build church and pulpit exchanges. Peacemaking has to do with our own penitence, offered one spokeswoman. John Lapp closed the meeting by quoting a poem written and recited by Elizabeth Alexander at the inauguration:
~ Summary by Robert Lowing, Secretary ABOUT REV. DR. LOUIS BUTCHER
Louis A. Butcher, Jr., a native of Lancaster, PA, was educated in the Lancaster School System, graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with a BA in English Literature, and graduated from the Lancaster Bible College with an MA in Ministry. He also received honorary doctorates from Franklin and Marshall College and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. He has held various positions in the corporate world. He was a sales representative for Hamilton Watch Company and also held the position of Corporate Employment Manager for that firm. He worked in retail for ten years with John Wanamaker Department Stores, holding the positions of Personnel Manager, Operations Manager, and Divisional Merchandise Manager. He spent nearly twenty years with the County of Lancaster as Executive Director of the County Human Relations Commission. He has also operated his own business. He has served on numerous community boards, including the United Way, SouthEast Lancaster Health Services, The Urban League, Leadership Lancaster and the Lancaster General Hospital. He is the organizer of the Bright Side Baptist Church of Lancaster and has been its pastor for the past twenty-eight years. Currently, he is Chairman of the Board of Bright Side Opportunities Corporation, a non-profit corporation that operates the Bright Side Opportunities Center. Pastor Butcher is married to the former Katie A. Rogers and they are parents of four children and seven grandchildren. They were also foster parents for thirty years, helping to raise more than twenty children.
|
|
Site design by Christel's Design Studio
John Lapp called upon a new board member and an old board member to respond to Rev. Butcher's address. Marilyn Parrish, a new board member, said her work with Millersville University was breaking down barriers. Ms. Parrish gathers oral histories. It is a process, she said, that requires listening to people different from themselves. She asked LIPW to build race relations. She suggested that LIPW needed to bring more youth into its activities. In his third year as a board member, Tom Hassler responded by offering this argument: "Democracy is risk. Risk depends upon trust. Trust is earned; it suffers in an environment of fear." He contrasted the Bush Administration's taking risks "built on a foundation of fear," and the undertaking "bold and thoughtful risk build on a foundation of trust. If you build trust," he said, "you can risk change."
Rev. Dr. Louis Butcher of Bright Side Baptist Church spoke about the Obama election, racial justice and American churches at our Annual Meeting.