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Thyatira's Fifth Column
23 October 2016, 09:33
Revelation 2:18-29 and Luke 18:15-17
© Stacey Steck
If you were here a couple of weeks ago, you heard me talk about the four characteristics ascribed to the early Church at Thyatira, that love, faith, service, and faithful endurance, as the four columns of Thyatira, those ways of being and doing which provide the bedrock of support for the church of Jesus Christ in this community. Yes, Jesus Christ is our foundation, so I suppose we can say that those four columns rest on Christ, and in turn the rest of the structure depends on those columns. Those columns support whatever we might try to do together as a church, whatever efforts we make to raise our children in the faith, whatever impact we might make in our community. It is essential that we are always seeking to strengthen our love, our faith, our service and our patient endurance. Those columns need to be inspected from time to time, checked for rot or pests or damage from the storms of life. If any one of them were to give out, the rest of the structure would be in a precarious position.
Of course, the second chapter of Revelation doesn't call those characteristics columns. That's my own invention, but I think it is a helpful way to think about our church. What Christ calls them in his words to the angel are "works," which suggests the daily activities of the faithful in that place. And as I suggested a couple of weeks ago, perhaps it was because those same works were evident in the lives of the faithful in Millbridge in the late eighteenth century that this church received the name Thyatira. Evidence of that reasoning has yet to surface, but let this sermon be preserved to note in the history books that in the early twenty-first century, the church at Thyatira is still known for those same works of love, faith, service, and patient endurance.
The other day a couple dropped by the church looking for some information on their ancestors, and asked to see the museum. So I went over and opened it up and they looked around, and as they did so, I noticed that although a few artifacts from more recent times have been added, that most of the collection is stuff from and about a fairly long time ago. And it occurred to me that the impetus for the museum in the first place was curiosity and interest about the past, but that the past is always creeping up on us, and that there will be future generations who will be interested not only in what happened here in the eighteenth century, but also what happened way back when in the twenty-first century, and that perhaps we should give some thought not only to preserving some of the artifacts of our time, but also consider what this period would be remembered for. When Thyatira celebrates its 400th anniversary, what characteristics will this generation be remembered for? Our ancestors here started this place, and kept up the cemetery, but what will we have contributed to Millbridge and the world?
I'm provoked by this question because Jesus doesn't make the praise of the works of Thyatira his last word. He doesn't say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your rest." No, he says, "I know that your last works are greater than the first," in other words, "I'm not finished with you yet! You still have something to accomplish before I come back in glory. And what you WILL do is even greater than what you HAVE done." It's not just that they have improved since the church was founded, that they have merely grown in love, faith, service, and faithful endurance, but that those great works are just the starting point. The Greek word Jesus uses for "last" is a common word for things done most recently, but it is also a word used to describe the ultimate end of things way on into the future, and I think that it the way it is to be taken here. The church at Thyatira, in any age, should never be content to be praised for its good works but to always strive toward even greater ones.
So I was thinking about what might be Thyatira's fifth column, what good work this generation of the faithful at Thyatira could be praised for if Jesus got up to do a two thousand year checkup, give or take a few years, if Jesus gave another message to the Angel of the Church of Thyatira. It seems reasonable to think that adding another good work or two might be something to shoot for. And in light of what I know about your most recent works, in places like Zambia and Brazil and Jamaica, and in the way I have experienced you interacting with me and with one another and with your community, I'd like to think that the additional characteristic, our latest work, our fifth column, should be generosity, your spirit of giving and sharing with each other and with those in great need. Wouldn't it be incredible if that were what Jesus chose to commend if he sent us another message? I can't think of a better complement to the other four that would help ensure that this church does in fact make it to that four hundredth anniversary.
But is that what church is all about? Making it to a milestone anniversary? Well, I know that none of you believe that any more than I do. There's more to it than that. You can describe church in a whole lot of ways but in the end they all boil down to being part of God's desire for creation to become all that God created it to be, that wonderful, abundant, growing, thriving place that is described in Genesis, but that was nowhere to be found in the Roman Empire of Jesus' time. And when we see the description of Thyatira's works in the second chapter of Revelation, they are all things that ran contrary to the way the Empire conducted its business.
So what Jesus is saying to the church at Thyatira is, "I know your subversive ways of love faith, service, and patient endurance. Keep on doing them there in Thyatira, while I'm making my plans to come back and pull it all together." Yes, that little church in the middle of nowhere was a living, breathing, revolutionary front working in the middle of hostile territory to help bring God's purposes for the world into being. It was bearing witness to a way of being human that gave glory to the one true God of eternity rather than the one human leader who by whatever means necessary had ascended to the throne.
Despite our own country's founding on the basis of a Revolutionary War against the English, revolution is a word people feel a little uncomfortable with today. We've had our 240 years of stability and we'd like to keep it that way, thank you very much. We want to avoid the turmoil other nations seem to face on a regular basis as they twist themselves up in revolution. So it might seem hard to view ourselves as Christians in revolutionary terms. But we don't need to look any further than Jesus sitting down with some children to see how revolutionary the founder of our faith really was. In Jesus' time, people didn't think about children and childhood the way we do now. Childhood was largely a necessary waiting period for people to become adults who could contribute to a family's or a nation's survival. Mostly, kids were kind of an expensive nuisance one had to abide until they could one day provide for their parent's wellbeing in their old age. It was a harsh life for children. They were second class citizens, only a small step above slaves and other kinds of property.
And that's what makes Jesus' invitation to children such a remarkable and yes, even revolutionary, act. Jesus was turning his society's notions upside down and showing them what they could be, instead of what their culture had shaped them to be. "Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." Sounds almost as tough as a camel passing through the eye of a needle. But with God, and a fifth column, all things are possible.
Yes, back to that fifth column of generosity. Maybe you've heard that term, "fifth column" before. It's a political term actually, one born out of a revolutionary struggle. It comes from the Spanish Civil War that took place between 1936 and 1939, and a general on the Nationalist side, the side seeking to overthrow the existing government, coined the phrase when he suggested that in addition to his four military columns, or units, that were advancing on Madrid, that there was a "fifth column" of his supporters who were already in Madrid who would rise up at the right time and join the battle from behind enemy lines. The phrase caught on and today basically describes any group that is working subversively behind the scenes against the status quo.
Now, I'm not a big fan of using military language to talk about ushering in the reign of God, but there's something about that metaphor that rings true. I think it is fair to say that there is no society that is as just or righteous as God would like it to be, that takes care of its widows and orphans and foreigners the way the Bible tells it to, that makes sure that the least and the last and the lost are cared for as well as the movie stars and the sports heroes. Our nations are at war, our planet is polluted, and our children are sold as slaves right under our noses. I'd like to think, however, that God's got a plan for turning all of that upside down, to stage a revolution so to speak, and that right now there are four columns advancing on the headquarters of whatever and whoever holds the power over this earthly empire. And while those four columns of love, faith, service, and patient endurance are marching forward, there's also a fifth column at work from within, a fifth column called generosity that slowly but surely undermines the greed and materialism that keep that empire rolling, a fifth column that demonstrates that there is another way to live, a way that doesn't depend on accumulation, and keeping up with Joneses, but a way which helps us all become the little children Jesus said we needed to be to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. If we can't protect our children, we'll never become one of them.
This morning, we're celebrating the Children's Sabbath, a day which shouldn't even have to be celebrated, because there shouldn't be any children who need a break from poverty, or malnutrition, or illiteracy, or human trafficking. But as long as there are, as long as there is even one child who is in slavery of any kind, our fifth column needs to be at work, undermining any kind of thinking, or any activity that that keeps God's kingdom from becoming a reality for every single child. It will be our generosity, of spirit and of wallet, that will make that possible, and that's what this church, and indeed any church needs to be known for.
You have a chance to express part of that revolutionary generosity each week as you come to worship. That's why we have these offering plates and why we take up an offering, because we need constant reminders that we are a kind of fifth column. And we need to remember what Jesus said to the church of Thyatira, that their last works would be greater than their first. Let me suggest that although any kind of generosity is revolutionary, there are some kinds which are truly, divinely subversive. These are the ones that come from the wisdom of the Bible, and maybe the most outrageous and powerful is the idea of the tithe, or giving ten percent of our income toward the revolution of grace. On one hand, ten percent seems like a lot. We like our inflation at less than three percent, our unemployment rate at less than five percent, and our sales tax, heaven forbid, at no more than seven percent. So ten percent may seem like a lot. But on the other hand, it sounds like a discount. A discount? Yes, and a pretty big one when you consider that what God really asks of us is our whole life, all of our possessions, all of our love, faith, service and patient endurance. And yet, God only asks for ten percent, which even by my mathematically challenged brain turns out to be a ninety percent discount.
You may not yet be ready, willing, or able to tithe to Christ's ministry through Thyatira. And that's OK. It really is. Jesus did say, "Your last works will be greater than your first." But let me encourage you to start somewhere, at some disciplined, thoughtful point by which in the future you will be able to measure just how subversive your generosity has become. Proportional giving is the best way I know to strengthen the fifth column for which Thyatira should become known, and by proportional I mean a specific percentage of your income. No matter what you're already giving, you're at some percentage. But do you know what it is and how close it is to being revolutionary? Once you figure that out, pray about it, and if you're at one percent, think about going up to two percent, and if you're already at ten percent, think about going even higher. You see, the sky's the limit with God's generosity. And it can be with ours too. May God help each of us to answer the question, "What percentage of my income is God calling me to give so that every child, myself included, might truly experience the kingdom of God." Amen.
A Tale of Two Rich People
16 October 2016, 10:07
Acts 16:11-15 and Luke 18:18-30
© Stacey Steck
The outrageous image of a camel passing through the eye of a needle is one of Jesus' best. It's a picture of impossibility far better than the ones about mountains being thrown into the sea, or tiny mustard seeds becoming huge trees. And it is comical as well, showing Jesus' sense of humor. But it is also one of the most daunting of his images as well, because, frankly, we are that camel and the eye of that needle looks painfully small, no matter what size we are. The words Jesus speaks to the rich young ruler are some of the most challenging words in all the Bible, especially for we who have a significant share of the world's wealth, at least by comparison, and whether or not we think our bank accounts support that claim. Can you imagine God coming to you some night in a dream saying, "Listen, you're almost there. All you have to do is sell everything you've got, empty out that retirement fund, give it all to charity, and then go, follow Jesus." Oh, that's all, eh? It's a wonder we don't all go away sad, and leave Jesus in our rearview mirrors. We are rich, and if we haven't yet asked the same question his disciples raised when they asked, "Then who can be saved?", we probably should!
But fear not, there is good news coming out of Thyatira. Yes, there is another story in Scripture about a rich person who was saved, who did enter into the kingdom of God, and of course, this woman named Lydia came from a noble place called Thyatira – maybe not the church of Thyatira, but since she comes across as one of the biblical heroes, we'll claim her as our own. For the sake of argument, we'll assume that one day Lydia returned home from Philippi and became a pillar of the church at Thyatira. It would be nice if the story gave us more information about her, but the details of Lydia's life are as mysterious as the reason this church was given the name Thyatira. There are, however, a few things we can deduce about her that are in line with the four characteristics for which the church in her hometown was later praised. She is described as a worshipper of God, which probably meant that she was not Jewish but had decided that the God of Israel was worth following. So she had faith. She seems to have been a patiently enduring woman of faith because she listened eagerly to Paul talk, and we know how longwinded he could be. She is willing to serve, as she convinced them all to come and stay at her home. And it is not a stretch to think that she did all of this with a spirit of love. So, Lydia is consistent with the shape of the church which would one day form in her hometown, and maybe she even had something to do with that.
We know Lydia of Thyatira was a woman of some means because she was a "dealer of purple," most likely purple cloth, and purple was an industry associated with wealth. In those days, purple dye was incredibly hard to come by because its source was a very small type of shellfish, and it took something like 12,000 of these mollusks to produce the gram and a half of dye needed for a couple of yards of fabric for such things as the Emperor's toga. To give you an idea of the value we're talking about, "one gram of purple dye was worth more than ten grams of gold and a pound of wool dyed purple could be sold for 1,000 denarii, a sum that would take a laborer three years to earn." Historically, Thyatira was known as the center of the dyeing industry because the characteristics of its water supply helped the dyes stick better to whatever material was being dyed, and it was best known for its red dyes that come from a local root, the kind of red you see in the famous Turkish carpets. The purple dyes come from the coastal region so it is most likely that workers in Thyatira used their local water with the purple dye from the coast to make the things that Lydia sold. In any case, Lydia was right in the middle of this lucrative industry and knew what it meant to be rich and what it might mean to give it away. She was, after all, a woman, probably an unmarried woman given the independence the passage seems to suggest she had, because there's no husband mentioned, and she could ill afford to put herself in a precarious situation that wouldn't pay off. But she was willing to take the risk, unlike the rich young ruler. Rather than go away sad upon hearing the Gospel, she responds by opening her home to Paul and his companions. She begins the process of giving herself away. She is willing to see what generosity is all about rather than close herself off to the possibility from the beginning. She and the rich young ruler heard essentially the same message, maybe not put as pointedly in economic terms to Lydia, but with the same punchline: that loving God and loving neighbor costs something. And she was willing to ante up.
So here we have two people who are quite similar in terms of their situation before encountering the Gospel, but who are as different as they can be upon hearing it. So getting that camel through the eye of a needle isn't impossible after all, at least not for Lydia. But is it possible for us? Can God open our hearts the way Lydia's heart was opened when she heard Paul's words and was baptized and opened her home to the disciples in Philippi? Our question becomes the same as the rich young ruler: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" And clearly, the answer is simply that you have to be from Thyatira. And any Thyatira will do, right?
Well, the truth is that life, eternal and otherwise, is found practicing those four columns of Thyatira we looked at last Sunday, the love, faith, service, and patient endurance with which we approach God, which just so happen to be the same characteristics with which God approaches us. The story of the rich young ruler who went away sad is told in three of the Gospels, each with a little different twist, and Mark's account gives us a glimpse of Jesus' motivation. In Mark, there's this wonderful little line that says, "Jesus, looking at him, loved him," and then said what needed to be said. Jesus may have seen the man's clothing and deduced that the only way he could have accumulated so much wealth as to be standing there dressed in so much finery was because he was one of those people the prophet Amos railed against who "sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals, [people] who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth, and push the afflicted out of the way," one of those people who has missed what should be obvious, that the finer points of the law and faith include issues related to our wealth, and that we can't compartmentalize faith and finances, that they are two sides of the same coin.
This motivation of Jesus is the key part of the story because to leave the man deluded into believing that his wealth was not a part of the spiritual equation would not have been a very loving thing to do. Love, to Jesus' way of thinking, means speaking the truth and saying what is uncomfortable, risking rejection, jeopardizing relationships, calling people to justice. It is for this same reason that the church risks alienating each of you about this time of year when stewardship season rolls around and you are asked to consider your giving to God's purposes through our church. It is, I believe Jesus to be saying, dereliction of duty to avoid taking about issues of money, wealth, and giving, precisely because they are such profoundly spiritual and Biblical issues. We don't need to look any further than the conclusion to today's story to see that money and wealth should be a part of any discussion of faith and eternal life. For that rich young ruler, the opportunity to inherit what does not perish was lost for the need to cling to what rusts and is eaten by moths.
The disciples who hear what Jesus tells the man, and hear the man's response, start feeling a little nervous. You see, it's the rich who usually get their way, and here is Jesus telling a rich person that it's not as easy as it looks. And so what are they to think about their own situations? The poor never get very lucky.
But with his usual grace, Jesus tells them not to worry about it, that God's got it covered. You see, what is impossible for mortals is possible for God. God can help us to respond, and it's in our response that we experience the miracle. With God's help we can love and serve and give far more abundantly than we could ever imagine, even like Lydia of Thyatira. So, how do we become more like our namesake sister in the faith? Let me suggest that we adopt the Thyatira way, that way of thinking that made a difference and opened Lydia's heart and home. What is the Thyatira way you might ask?
The Thyatira way is the difference between thinking about stewardship as paying for some product you get at church, and giving from the grateful part of your heart even when others seem to get "more for their money."
The Thyatira way is the difference between giving the least you can get away with giving, and somehow giving more than you dreamed possible of being able to give.
The Thyatira way is the difference between thinking about what is my share of how much the church needs and thinking about how much God is calling me
to give to grow in my faith.
The Thyatira way is the difference between giving haphazardly and from what is left after all the other bills are paid and giving with discipline and from the first fruits of your income.
The Thyatira way is the difference between giving something and giving a specific percentage.
The Thyatira way is the difference between giving at the same level as last year, and taking a step up, as Bill described earlier in the service.
As you think about the camels and needles in your life in preparation for Consecration Sunday, take this final thought home with you. When Peter asks about himself, and his place in the kingdom, since he has seemingly given it all, Jesus responds by saying that not only does Peter have a place, but that God gives back far more than we can ever give up front. Whoever leaves house or family, he says, will receive them back a hundredfold, both now and forevermore. But do not mistake this for some kind of prosperity gospel. That hundredfold return is certainly of the greatest value, but it is not the same stuff which was given in the first place. When Jesus describes a hundredfold return of houses, he does not mean Peter will become a wealthy, rent collecting property owner, but that he will experience a profound and miraculous sense of hospitality, both among fellow Christians and in heaven. When Jesus describes a hundredfold return on family members, he does not mean Peter's family will grow in size and influence but that he will experience an amazing and miraculous community of fellow believers, both on earth and in heaven. In a way, what Jesus is saying is this: "Peter, one day you will meet a woman called Lydia of Thyatira and she will show you that with God, all things are possible." In our giving, may we truly be Lydia's descendants and show the world that with God all things are possible – in our day and age, and in our Thyatira, as well as hers. Amen.
The Four Columns of Thyatira
09 October 2016, 12:28
Revelation 2:18-29
© Stacey Steck
A couple of weeks ago when I was inviting my friend Pat to join us for Invite-A-Friend Sunday, I had to admit that Thyatira is a pretty funny sounding word. It's not one you hear used much in public, not even in the church, because it only appears in two places in the Bible, and one of those doesn't get read very often. It gets used so infrequently that there is not even a consensus on how to pronounce the word. Back in May, I was at a conference and attended a workshop by a supposed expert on the book of Revelation who proceeded to pronounce the name of our beloved church as "Thyatiria," as if there were an extra letter "i" in there somewhere. But I must also must admit that when I was being interviewed by the search committee, I decided to ask how it was pronounced before giving it a try on my own. As the old saying goes, it is better to be silent and thought a fool than to mispronounce Thyatira and remove all doubt. For what it's worth, however, in the original Greek, it's pronounced
, but the way we say it is clearly the best way to go!
Once I arrived, I began to inquire about why the name Thyatira was chosen, as uncommon as it, but no one has come forth with a satisfactory historical answer about why we chose this obscure name from Scripture when so many other good ones were probably still available out here on the frontier. You may have noticed that there are not many other churches named Thyatira. In fact, in the United States, there is only one other Thyatira Presbyterian Church, found in Jackson, Georgia, and according to their history, they took their name because we took them under our wing and sponsored them back in 1828. I have found mention of a couple of old Thyatira Baptist Churches, but they seem to have closed a while back. Maybe there aren't many churches called Thyatira because even if you were determined to choose a name from the book of Revelation, there are two other options in the first three chapters that got better reviews from Jesus. There are a lot more places and churches called Smyrna and Philadelphia out there then there are Thyatira. Perhaps our ancestors in the faith here in Millbridge simply became enamored of the name Thyatira spoken in a southern drawl. Perhaps in those days they really saw in the people who had gathered here the same things Jesus saw in the people who had gathered at Thyatira in Asia Minor, the same good works of love, faith, service and patient endurance we still see here today. Perhaps the church back in the eighteenth century exhibited those four great characteristics but was being threatened by someone who was trying to lead it astray, a Jezebel of its own time. We may never know. But what we do know is that we still practice those four virtues and that in every age, we will face challenges to remain the kind of counter cultural witness John reminded the churches in Asia they needed to be.
Thyatira is the fourth of the seven churches addressed by Jesus through the vision of Saint John. In each of these visions, Jesus speaks to the angel of each church and offers words of encouragement and challenge. It was a hard time to be the church. When Revelation was written, the church had no status, no privilege, no constitution protecting it from the state. Christianity was still a new religion among many in the Roman empire, one that had come out of a backwater province, one that was based on a dubious claim that its leader had come back to life, one that attracted for the most part the dregs of society. Most scholars are agreed that although from time to time the Empire actively scapegoated and punished the early church, these seven churches in Asia were not facing that type of persecution, but were in fact up against something even more challenging, something we see in the words spoken to the angel of Thyatira. It gets its share of praise for its good works of love, faith, service and patient endurance, but it also gets challenged to confront the influence of a certain Jezebel, who has been leading them astray by making accommodations to the culture around them, confusing worship of the God of Israel with worship of the emperor. Specifically, this is spelled out as being willing to eat meat sacrificed for idolatrous purposes, and engaging in other kinds of socially acceptable activities that were ethically questionable for Christians. These get labeled as adultery or fornication, but most scholars agree that these words are most likely euphemisms, rather than the crimes themselves per se.
Who was this Jezebel? We are pretty sure that Jezebel wasn't the real name of this false prophet, but a code word that everyone would have understood if they remembered the story of her namesake in the Old Testament which gives us some clue as to what kind of person she was in the church at Thyatira. Jezebel was the wife of Ahab, perhaps the most corrupt of all the kings of Israel. Now what is important about the first Jezebel is that she was not an Israelite, but a Sidonian, a foreigner, and even though Ahab was no saint in his own right, the way the story gets told, it is pretty clear that the real corrupter of Israel is in fact Jezebel, who went on to kill the prophets, pursue the prophet Elijah, and plot the death of the innocent Naboth so she and Ahab could confiscate the poor man's vineyard. I will spare you the gory details this morning but if you want to read about her rather gruesome death, you can find it in 2 Kings 9.
All of that gives us a clue about what was happening at the church at Thyatira, and that just as the first Jezebel helped bring ruin on the Israelites, John warns that this Jezebel will bring the church at Thyatira to a bad end if they are not careful. The Gospel that Jezebel was preaching was one that led to a confusion between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of Caesar, a Gospel that watered down the distinctiveness of this new movement that included everyone, a Gospel that made it easy to accept what everyone else around it was doing even if what they were doing was contrary to the Gospel Jesus preached. In the simplest terms, if you ate meat sacrificed to idols, it suggested that you acknowledged that those other gods existed, or that you were afraid of the repercussions of what would happen if you refused, which would have meant acknowledging that your loyalty was not ultimately to the emperor, but to God, the very same impulse that helped Pontius Pilate decide to crucify Jesus. The empire could tolerate a lot of things, but disloyalty was not one of them, and Jezebel was helping to turn the church into good citizens of the Empire rather than good servants of the King of Kings.
We don't have too many issues these days with meat sacrificed to idols, but from time to time the church has had to confront what from some corners appears to be the kind of accommodation to the culture around it that Jesus warns the church at Thyatira that it must stand up against. It's murky territory to be sure, deciding what is and what is not appropriate, what is godly and what is not. In our own time, the debate continues about things like worship that looks more like the entertainment you'd see at a Brittney Spears concert, or about social issues about which people of good faith disagree. That's the ongoing challenge of the church at Thyatira, not just this Thyatira, but all the places that could be named Thyatira, places where love, faith, service, and patient endurance are truly the hallmarks of their communities, but who also have to live in the real world, and read the news of the day, and be discerning about what God is doing in their midst.
It's tricky stuff, as the current issue of people choosing to sit or kneel during the playing of the national anthem has made clear. We may or may not agree with what Colin Kaepernick and other athletes have decided to do, but it does gives us a very current example of what the church in Thyatira was up against. Putting aside our feelings about the issues that have provoked these protests, suppose that there were a good Christian reason for any one of us to refuse to give honor to a government that opposed what our faith required of us. Would we be willing to incur the ire of the culture around us to make our statement of loyalty to God rather than our culture or our government? What are we saying to the world around us about our distinctiveness, our values, by participating in practices that do not always conform to our understanding of the life that God calls us to lead? Love of country is a good thing, but no nation should be confused with the reign of God even if at times we do find ways to cooperate with it. The same could be said for the Roman Empire that John warned the church at Thyatira about. It did some good things, but it was by no means perfect. And in those places that the kingdom of heaven clashes with the empire, the church needs to side with God. The church not only has the right to dissent, but in fact the duty, when faithfulness to Christ's commands to love, serve, and patiently endure come into conflict with the culture's demands for loyalty.
All of this is to say that even those who don't agree with why Kaepernick did what he did, should support his right to do so, and even more than that, we should ask ourselves what we'd be willing to stand up for, or sit down for, because one day it might be us protesting, and protest shouldn't have to lead to martyrdom for athletes or for people of faith. In fact, it wasn't that long ago when the church confronted some of these very same questions, and had to take a stand. Almost as soon as Hitler took power in Germany in the 1930s, the government began to pressure the churches to adopt the Third Reich's policies and many of them did, unquestioningly. But there was a small group of Christians and churches that said wait a minute, this isn't how it's supposed to work. Our loyalty is to God and God's purposes, not Hitler and his purposes. And so they drafted what they called the Theological Declaration of Barmen in which they outlined their reasons for dissent and opposition and called upon others to turn away from the Jezebels of their age, those church leaders who couldn't see the difference between the kingdom of heaven and the vision Hitler was casting. The Barmen Declaration has since been adopted as part of the Book of Confessions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) and several other denominations, because it offers the same kind of warning that was offered to the church at Thyatira so many years earlier.
It's not printed in the bulletin this morning, but I'd like to ask if you would rise and say together a portion of that Barmen Declaration that you'll find on the video monitors. If for whatever reason you choose not to stand, that's OK; we honor that, as we must honor the conscience of all who confess faith in Jesus Christ.
"The Christian Church is the congregation of the brethren in which Jesus Christ acts presently as the Lord in Word and sacrament through the Holy Spirit. As the Church of pardoned sinners, it has to testify in the midst of a sinful world, with its faith as with its obedience, with its message as with its order, that it is solely his property, and that it lives and wants to live solely from his comfort and from his direction in the expectation of his appearance. We reject the false doctrine, as though the Church were permitted to abandon the form of its message and order to its own pleasure or to changes in prevailing ideological and political convictions." Please be seated.
So here's my last word on the subject. Before Jesus warns the church at Thyatira about its Jezebel, he reminds them of who they are. He reminds them that their church, their community, rests on the firm foundation of the love, faith, service, and patient endurance that they have been practicing. I like to think of them as the four columns of Thyatira. And I think what he was saying is that if those four columns remain strong, we'll recognize those moments when we need to stand up, or sit down, for what Jesus Christ has bequeathed us. And we'll have the strength to "hold fast" to what we have until Jesus comes, and our last works will indeed be greater than our first works. May God continue to give this Thyatira the strength of the first Thyatira, until the rising of the morning star. Amen.
Laughing At The Lord's Table
02 October 2016, 12:43
Genesis 18:1-15 and Luke 22:14-20
© Stacey Steck
Before Flora and I were engaged to be married, I steadfastly refused to discuss the possibility. It wasn't that I didn't want to get married, I just did not wish to negotiate a wedding. I would ask her when I was ready and she would accept when she was ready. It was a very simple formula. So it was quite a surprise for her when I pulled out the ring that Christmas morning and asked her to spend the rest of her life with me. I'm not sure if she was more shocked that I wanted to get married or that I had actually come up with a ring, she knowing me for the cheapskate that I am. You see, as I slipped my grandmother's ring on her finger, my beautiful bride-to-be uttered three words I will never forget: She said, "Is it real?"
Hard as it was to believe, especially coming from me, the ring was, in fact, real, and apparently quite a shock. I believe she was beginning to think I was not ever going to be interested in marrying her. And we had dated for only two years! So it is not too hard for me to understand why Sarah, the Patron Saint of late bloomers, let loose a laugh when she heard that after ninety years of waiting, she too would be blessed with a son to care for her in her old age, and of course, the ancient middle eastern versions of dirty diapers and lost pacifiers.
You may remember that this is a real turning point in the early part of the story of God's people. God has promised to Abraham that he will have descendants as numerous as the grains of sand in the ocean, or the stars in the sky, but its getting a little late, middle age has come and gone, and no kids are coming. The future is looking as bleak as the desert they live in. Abraham even goes so far as to engage Sarah's servant Hagar, to provide for him an heir, because in those days, such an occasion of surrogacy counted for the real thing, or so they thought. But God had other plans, and says to Abraham, after he has gone to all the trouble with Hagar, sorry, this boy Ishmael, the slave girl's son, he's not the one through whom the promise will be kept. That honor awaits the one you will call Isaac. In fact, we should not be so surprised that Sarah laughs, because, it says, "Abraham fell on his face and laughed," when God reveals a little earlier in the story what Sarah learns tonight.
There is something very sweet about this story, but I wonder if the way we usually read this story of Abraham's hospitality, Sarah's incredulous laugh, and God's promise of the coming of Isaac overshadows what might be the more important observation of the passage. Tucked in there in verse 14 is the real kicker: Is anything too difficult for the Lord? It reads like a rhetorical question, the kind we are not meant to answer, because when we think about Sarah's womb compared to something like God creating the heavens and the earth, it seems like a no-brainer. Of course there is nothing beyond the power of God. But we human beings don't always think with our brains. Often, it is our hearts that rule both our minds and our tongues and we become prone to wondering, if, in fact, there actually is something that is too difficult for God to do, something in our lives, or in our world that God is really not up to the task of handling. And when we go there, when we start down the road of asking questions we'd really rather not have to ask in the first place, they aren't the philosophical musings that wonder if God can create a stone so heavy that not even God can lift it. No, they are the gut-wrenching, middle of the night anxiety attacks about things that really matter in our lives, and the lives of those we love, and even the lives of those whom nobody loves.
That understandable tendency in our own lives is affirmed for us by Sarah's shock and by her laugh. I think it was not that Sarah didn't believe the pronouncement so much as she found it completely unexpected and confusing, a little ironic, and perhaps even somewhat cruel. "After I have grown old," she says, now "shall I have pleasure?" The best years of her life have passed in anguish, and maybe "better late than never" just doesn't sound like such a great consolation prize for so many years of waiting. Besides, consider the source: three complete strangers for whom she has just had to make a meal on the spur of the moment, who she has to overhear to learn this! They don't even make the announcement to her directly. Despite being the primary agent in God's unfolding drama, Sarah is the last to know. I cannot begrudge Sarah a little chuckle about this one because it's a little hard to swallow whole.
Now if we put these two things together -- and I mean Sarah's situation and this rhetorical, but often asked, question about God – mix them up a little, let the mixture settle for a couple thousand years and take the lid off, I wonder if we don't find thirteen people sitting together in an upper room around the time of Passover, twelve of those people wondering if there is anything left that is too difficult for Jesus to do, a pronouncement by God that is a little hard to swallow whole, a whole lot of dropped jaws and maybe even a couple of nervous chuckles. The scene around the table at our Lord's last supper must have been a sight to behold.
The disciples have seen Jesus do everything from changing water into wine to moving the moneychangers out of the temple. From their perspective there is nothing he can't or won't do. Peter has identified Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus has come to Jerusalem to shake things up. They are now probably as close as they have ever been to truly understanding just how rhetorical the question, "Is there anything too difficult for the Lord?" should be. And then Jesus drops his bomb of a statement as he prepares for his final meal with them, He says to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."
Now if you thought my wife was surprised by her cheapskate boyfriend! If you thought Sarah was surprised by three strangers stopping by the tent with some unexpected news! The disciples have just been blindsided. Consider the source! Their leader, who has been their teacher and companion, is really serious about getting ready to die. He was supposed to take his rightful place as God's Anointed, the one who would bring in their people's glory days, and usher in an era of peace. But now he is saying that the dream is almost over, the future not as clear as they might have envisioned. Imagine the confusion, the irony, the cruelty. I cannot say I would begrudge any one of the disciples if they too had laughed, just as Sarah did.
This morning we celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper and in a few minutes I will repeat the words of Jesus telling you that this bread is the broken body of our savior and that this cup contains the shed blood of our friend. And I will invite you to take these elements in remembrance of Christ, and to experience his grace. And I will not begrudge a single one of you if you laugh. The body of Jesus? The blood of Christ? What an absurd notion! How confusing, how ironic, how cruel. But look around this room, see your brothers and sisters in Christ, listen to the Word of God, sing to the Lord hymns and songs and spiritual songs – observe the church almost two thousand years after that last supper and ask yourself, "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?"
When I ask myself that question in my more human moments, I think of the engagement ring my wife is wearing. As I said, it belonged to my grandmother, my mother's mother, who lived in Texas all her life, side by side with Mexicans whom she despised, and never failed to blame, along with blacks, for whatever problem she, and the city of San Antonio, might have been experiencing. I sincerely doubt she would have been able to distinguish between Costa Ricans and Mexicans, and if she had been alive when I met Flora, my strong suspicion is that she would have had a very, very difficult time coming to terms with my marrying a Mexican, er, I mean, a Costa Rican, much less using her ring. There are many intractable issues in the world, but few more personal and influential than racism and discrimination. That in two short generations, a transformation like this could take place in my family, is, to me, nothing short of miraculous, and that helps me to remember the answer to that truly rhetorical but essential question, and it makes me chuckle as I picture my grandmother, God rest her soul, rolling over in her grave.
You may have noticed that there is no condemnation of Sarah for her laugh. I think that is because not only is our God a God of grace, and second chances, but also a God with a sense of humor, one who isn't threatened by our humanity. If the question, "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" is really a rhetorical one, so too is the question "Is there anything that God can't handle?" about my doubts, my fears, my hopes, my longings. Do you think God hasn't heard it all before? What kind of faithless people did God create, that over and over we keep asking questions we really don't need to ask? And yet there is no condemnation. We can laugh all we want when God does what God has promised in Jesus Christ, when God brings peace to that dispute with our neighbor, when God heals that broken relationship with a family member, when God breaks the power of an addiction, when God helps us overcome that grudge we've been nursing and just can't let go. Those are things that keep us up at night, the things we are sure must be quite impossible, even for God, but that God takes just as seriously as we do, even though there really is nothing too difficult for God.
God has been doing the unexpected long before we got here. God does the unexpected in our lives and God will do the unexpected in the lives of our children and their children and theirs. And every generation will ponder "Is anything too difficult for the Lord," with a fortunate few from each generation realizing that asking the question doesn't mean we are faithless, far from it, but simply human. In this sacrament of Holy Communion, let us laugh at the unexpected and be in awe of the power and glory of the Lord. Lord, forgive us if we laugh too hard, for it is not that we do not believe that these elements are the body and blood of your son, it's just that you have surprised us once again with your immeasurable your love for us. Amen.


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In this 10th DN-3rd issue (a loooong one), you will find
1. Dragon in Motion & Sweet Moments
3. Dragon Welfare
Dragon Events (3 are coming up!)
Save the Dragon Datesss!!!
Best Regards,
Your Editors of this issue: Bobo Ng, Gigi Auyeung
Internal Affairs Committee, DragoNation 2017/18
Dragons X Yidan Prize Summit
Dragons are honoured to be invited to attend and help out at the world's largest education prize, the Yidan Prize's Award Presentation Ceremony and Summit on Dec 10 and 11. A glamorous night having the Hong Kong Chief Executive Mrs. Carrie Lam being GoH, the two Prize Laureates, Dr. Charles Chen himself, and many more guests. Salute to Clive Lee (D2006) our great Founding President of DragoNation, and the Dragons who are now serving the meaningful Prize! Let's "create a better world through education"
Dragons X Charity Movie Premiere
Enthusiastic Dragons supporting and enjoying at The Dragon Foundation's "Home Again" Charity Gala Premiere.
Dragons X Our Hong Kong Foundation
Our Hong Kong Foundation, an influential think tank in Hong Kong who conducts research, studies and policy recommendations to strengthen relationships and extend collaboration opportunities. Led by our President Re Lai, a group of passionate Dragons were glad to meet with OHKF Senior Consultant Mr Thomas Tso (front row first right).
Led by our Past President Nelson Lam, Rex Lai (President) and William Yuen (International Development Secretary) were invited to represent DragoNation to attend the Silk Road Development Association's 3rd year anniversary celebrations.
Dragons X Blood Donor
Number of blood donors has been persistently failing to meet the daily target of 1,100 people. The recent cold weather has even pushed it down to only 200-300 a day. President Rex Lai and our sub-committee Dragons Kate Yiu and Bamei Chang immediately teamed up to donate blood! Good job.
Dragon Sweet Moments
We are super happy to welcome our Dragon Baby- baby of Catherine Choi (D2007) and Patrick Lam (D2014)! Wishing this beautiful family happily ever after with health and blessing. <3
Do check out another baby of Catherine :D https://www.facebook.com/sayvour
Dragon Sweet Moments
Congratulations to the newly wed: Malaysia Dragons Kim Hong (D2010) and Karyn! Many Dragons from overseas had especially flew to KL to attend this Big Day. Special thanks to Sam Cheung (GGW2001) for sending us the pictures. Our very best wishes to K&K for a lifetime of happiness. <3
Dragon Sweet Moments
Congratulations to our Sub-Committee Dragons Kevin Yu (D2017) and his beautiful wife Vivian who tied their knot in Dec! They are fortunate to share common interests, spend time fooling around, find a balance and meet at dawn and dusk. ( quoting from the romantic Kevin himself :P ) Our best wishes to this lovebirds. <3
- Cambodia and China Dragons visiting Phnom Pehn and had a nice #DragonConnect.
- Cambodia Dragon Monypich Sou visiting HK. Thanks for being our Cambodia representative and supporting DN dea Monypich!
- and 4. HK Dragons Queenie Chung (GC2013) and Emily Yeung (D2016) + New Zealand Dragon Carmen Lim (D2017) visiting Singapore. Thanks SG Dragons for hosting them esp Bryan Sng for showing them around! #DragonConnect
- 19 Dragons met Shelley Lee, GBS, OBE, JP, Director of The Dragon Foundation in Singapore
- China Dragon Louis Li visiting Malaysia and had a nice #DragonConnect with our energetic Malaysia Dragons.
- and 4. US Dragon David Lin (D2007) visiting HK and Taiwan, welcome by the happy local Dragons.
- Taiwan delegates, Wilson Ko (D2014) and Flora Hsu (D2016) visited Hong Kong (again!), catching up with Past Presidents Clive Lee and Nelson Lam, amongst other Dragons!
- SG Dragon Leon Toh (D2015) visiting HK
- Dragons at HKFYG Organic Farm booth
- #DragonConnect in San Francisco Bay Area! Derek Tsoi (D2010), John Kim (D2016) David Lin (D2007), Tina Cheung (D2007, Chapter Representative, West Coast of US ), and Benjamin Lee (D2011).
- Hard-working DN Office Bearers meeting again and again for programs ahead in 2018!
- Grateful to have The Dragon Foundation Secretary-General Gary Tang and Past Presidents Clive Lee and Nelson Lam present for the 3rd DragoNation Executive Committee meeting. Surely we will have exciing 10th anniversary celebrations coming up.
Our committee source privileged offers as member benefits, and outreach to services or products that are in the best interest of you Dragons.
For those who wish to offer exclusive welfare to our fellow Dragons,
please reach our Treasurer Queenie Chung. email@example.com :)
One of the curators Daneil Cheung (D2012) had especially offered promo code
to 10 of our lucky dragons (HKD200 instead of HKD350!!)
while many Dragons actually took part in the organizing and paricipation.Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/pg/TEDxChaterRoad/
Event details: http://www.tedxchaterroad.com/Stay tuned on our FB and whatsapp groups to not missing our upcoming attractive welfare!
[Past Event-HK]
HK Dragons Xmas Party 匯龍坊 龍龍聖誕夜
Dragons celebrated in the Pre-Christmas Party with tons of laughter and fun on 9 De at PH3. Grateful to have oversea dragons, John Kim (Korea), Flora Hsu and Wilson Ko (Taiwan), to join the Hong Kong Dragons.
Present to you by PIC Wendy CHENG (D100-2017), Angie HO (D100-17), Kate YIU (GC-2013)
[Upcoming Event-HK]
2nd Diversity Chamber – Chinese Culture Tour for Dragons
Date: 17 Mar 2018 (Saturday Morning)
Time: Gathering at 9:00am at Tai Po Market MTR station-Van 20B stop.
Visit starts sharp 10:00am -12:00nn
Venue: Tsz Shan Monastery (88 Universal Gate Rd, Tai Po)
Language: Cantonese
Fee: HK$50 (PayMe) /HK$52 (Paypal) – Proceed will be donated to Tsz Shan Monastery after subtracting necessary expenses.
Quota: 20 (First-paid-first-confirmed)
Registration: http://dragonationevent.
WhatsApp Group (For any inquiry, updates, photo sharing): https://chat.whatsapp.com/
Present to you by Internal Affairs Committee, DragoNation 2017/18
Enquiry: Gigi Auyeung firstname.lastname@example.com
[Upcoming Event-Malaysia]
"Kuala Lumpur DN Chinese new year gathering".
Date: 3 Feb 2017 (Saturday)
Time: 7pm onwards
Venue: Kuala Lumpur
Contact Person: Nicholas Tan Check Foong
Contact Number: +60176898575
[Dragon Initiatives-HK]
(Chinese Version Only)
義遊 — VolTra Go
Project of Bird Tang Wai Wing (D2014)
獎品: 冠軍隊伍再獲義遊全年證,並設亞、季軍 (總值$44,000!!)
日期:2018 年 2 月 3 日(六)
時間:下午 2 時-5 時
集合時間:下午 1 時 30 分
參賽人數:3 人一隊(如以個人報名,隊員將於活動當天由義遊分配)
報名: goo.gl/RZq2Mv
截止報名:2018 年 1 月 20 日(六)23:59
- Feb 3HKFYG Neighbourhood first Punchoi Service
- Feb 9 DragoNation x FungScholars x SEYSA night
- Feb 10 UNESCOHK Peacemakers
- Mar 3 Global Mentorship Kick-off + Spring Reception
- Mar 17 Diversity Chamber of Tsz Shan Monastery
- Mar 28 HKFYG Acapella charity service
- May 26-27 DragoNation 10th Anniversary Celebration!

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The series of events that led to that gruesome scene — two dogs guarding Bethany Lynn Stephens's bloodied remains after authorities say they mauled her to death while on a walk in rural Virginia — have been the subject of speculation, rumors and anger. Why did these two dogs, which friends said had a strong bond with Stephens, turn on their most important human? Agnew doubted that the question would ever be clearly answered.
But one thing is certain: The attack could have never happened out of the blue.
"I don't think they were walking in the woods and they eyed each other and said, 'Now is the time to attack her,' " said Liz Stelow, a clinician at the veterinary school at the University of California at Davis.
A stimulus that triggered an aggressive reaction, a sudden change in the dogs' home life, behavioral changes that they might have been going through as they matured, or a combination of all of these, could have been contributing factors, experts say. For something as terrible as Stephens's death to happen, there needs to be "a sort of perfect storm of events," said Marjie Alonso, executive director of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, though what those events were remains a mystery.
Stelow, a certified veterinary behaviorist, said fear is statistically the most common underlying cause of aggression among dogs.
"Now that does not mean we don't see aggression coming from dogs that are not experiencing fear in that moment, but the overwhelming majority of aggression is part of a fight-or-flight response," Stelow said. "So you're in a position where you must do something, and the thing that you find yourself doing is inflicting harm."
"Almost all of the aggression I deal with clinically is based on fear," Stelow added. "Everything I've read about the case suggests that what likely happened is there was a triggering event, and the dogs either turned on each other and she became involved, or they turned on her because of something that happened, some external stimulus that happened."
There's also a concept called predatory drift, said Alonso, a Massachusetts-based certified dog behavior consultant. The term, coined by veterinarian, dog trainer and animal behaviorist Ian Dunbar, is described as "the kicking in of predatory reflexes in an interaction that begins as a social interaction."
And something has to provoke it, Alonso said.
"Let's say she was running with them and she fell and she was shouting because she got hurt," Alonso said. "It's possible — and I can't say that this is what happened — that that triggered a response for one of the dogs, maybe, to bite her out of excitation, out of fear, whatever that might be, and caused the other dog to also turn on her."
Stephens was found dead Thursday evening in a wooded area about a half a mile from a main road. Authorities said the 22-year-old had been gone for about a day since she left to walk her dogs, so her father went out to look for her in the area she frequented. There, he found the male dogs, Tonka and Pacman, near what he first thought was an animal carcass.
Authorities said the bite marks on Stephens, including the ones on her skull, were consistent with canine marks, some of which were inflicted while she was still alive. They have ruled out other possibilities, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, strangling, stabbing and the involvement of a larger animal, like a bear.
The young woman's death shook Goochland, Va., a rural community about 30 miles outside of Richmond, and sent a barrage of phone calls, emails and online messages to the sheriff's department. Agnew, the sheriff, said many were personal attacks against him. Others accused his department of not doing a thorough investigation, believing that there was no way Stephens's dogs could've attacked her. On Monday, Agnew decided to privately show photographs of the scene to local media and publicly reveal the graphic scene he and his deputies witnessed. He said it was an attempt to be transparent without revealing too much.
Agnew said revealing more information has slowed the flurry of angry messages and misinformation, but it has not stopped it.
Some of the anger, at least online, was fueled by a characterization of the dogs' breed. Agnew said family members described the dogs to authorities as pit bulls — a generic term for dogs with a square, blocky head and an athletic build — though the specific breed is unclear.
"When people say it was a pit bill, it's kind of an easy go-to," Alonso said. "There may be pit bull in those dogs, but it doesn't describe the dogs necessarily. It's describing what they look like, not what's in them."
Alonso said whether a dog has a tendency to be aggressive does not necessarily depend on the breed.
"We tend to label aggression as something that's inside the animal. That's not it. Aggression is a circumstance," she said. "If I corner you in a dark alley and you punch me, are you being aggressive?"
Stelow, the University of California clinician, said that bully breeds, such as an American pit bull terrier and a Staffordshire bull terrier, are statistically highly represented in incidents of fatal dog bites and attacks in the country. But that likely has less to do with their behavior and more with their physical abilities, she said.
"If you look at the body type, they have large powerful jaws and they have large powerful bodies," Stelow said. "They can overpower someone and inflict great harm."
Investigators in Goochland County said they're still working to find out more about the dogs' lineage and history. Sgt. Mike Blackwood, of the sheriff's office, said Stephens got both of them as puppies. One of the dogs was owned by someone else before Stephens adopted him.
Investigators also are still uncertain about the dogs' exact age, but Blackwood estimates they were about 2. That could provide another explanation.
The dogs would've been in the middle of maturing, which happens between ages 1½ and 4, said Ilana Reisner, a veterinary behaviorist from Pennsylvania. Aggression toward each other and toward people is more likely as dogs mature.
"They might historically have been very sweet, and aggression to people never or rarely seen, and still have flipped over threshold to arousal and aggression at this age," Reisner wrote in a Facebook post.
Experts also say that change in environment could affect a dog's behavior.
At the news conference earlier this week, Blackwood said Stephens had been living elsewhere and had left the dogs with her father. The dogs, which were previously indoor animals, were left in a kennel outside with little human contact, aside from a visit from Stephens about five times a week, he told reporters.
Stelow said she often sees dogs suddenly showing signs of aggression because of changes in their lives, such as a new person moving in or their owner moving out. Even changes in pet owners' schedule could be stressful.
"So I'm already in another uncomfortable environment where I don't have the things I'm accustomed to. I have limited contact with my most important human. I don't understand what is happening, and this is stressful to me," she said. "Every walk became much more stimulating. . . . Now I'm in a situation where what might have been a tolerable stimulus is now a big trigger because of all the other stressors I've been experiencing."
The dogs were euthanized Saturday and are being preserved. Agnew said his department has found a lab that will perform a necropsy and extract anything that may be needed for further analysis.
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Speaker's Intro
Speaker's Suggested Introduction:
Our speaker today is Len Lamensdorf. After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School where he was an editor of the Law Review, he got married and he and his wife headed off to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Len worked for the American Law Institute Tax Project at Harvard. Len says that was not the most exciting job he ever held. After that Len and his wife took off for Europe, where they drove a tiny Renault across he continent, not returning to the U.S. until, 3 1/2 months later when they had run out of money. Len had offers from a major New York tax law firm and the Justice department. Instead he joined a private development business which built some major shopping malls in the Midwest.
But all his life, Len thought of himself as a writer. After many disappointments, Simon & Schuster published his novel, Kane's World, and Delacorte published another of his works. But Len tired of the Literary establishment and began to write books for his own little company. He has now published 9 novels, written three full-length plays and written and produced a feature film called Cornbread, Earl & Me. The film became an icon in the Civil rights community. It tells the story of a young black man, an athlete, who is gunned down by cops who mistake him for a murderer they are chasing. It's story is so relevant, it is being remade this year.
Len's books won multiple Benjamin Franklin Awards, IPPy's and ForeWord Books of the Year. His historical novel, The Ballad of Billy Lee, George Washington's favorite Slave, was acclaimed by Pulitzer Prize winning historians, Joseph J. Ellis, and Ron Chernow, who is now famous as historical consultant for "Hamilton," the Broadway musical that won 11 Tony Awards.
Len and his family traveled many times to countries on 5 continents. He visited the Holy Land,. walking, literally in the steps of Jesus of Nazareth. This inspired Len to write an historical novel. He set this aside for decades and very recently decided to take up the project. I'll let him tell you why. Len's novel has many challenging elements, and he understands that some readers may be astonished, even outraged. I'll let Len defend himself – remember he's a lawyer. Please welcome Len Lamensdorf.
A few notes from Len:
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Len Lamensdorf


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After getting the green light for their new stadium proposals in March, club president Silvio Burlusconi gave the campaign the chop after stating he's "too in love with the San Siro". Whether this remains a popular decision with fans is another question, however the board have split opinions.
AC Milan revealed plans for a new 48,000 capacity stadium back in March, which consisted of the club hoping to redevelop the Portello area of the city with the construction of the stadium, sports college and several restaurants. Having shared most of their extravagant history at the San Siro with city rivals Inter, the club decided they wanted a new lease of life, only for their vision to deteriorate 6 months later. The campaign was led by Burlusconi's daughter and lifelong AC Milan fan who stated in several articles in the Italian press that she was adamant the planning and construction of the ground would begin to take shape.
The real question is why cancel the project? Supporters of the club have had a torrid time of late, finishing last season's Serie A campaign in 10th, so the promise of the new stadium gave the club some renewed life which they haven't had since the 2012-13 season. In retrospect, a new stadium would have been the only viable option to keep the club's gigantic status and reputation within Europe as the last couple of years have been some of the worst in recent club history. Attendances dropping below 35,000, not qualifying for European competitions and marquee players leaving have all played a part in the off-field predicaments becoming an even greater issue which have ultimately led fans to start boycotting home games. Without a doubt a new stadium would have given the club more independence, having shared their ground with Inter Milan since the 1940s, which must surely play on the minds of the supporters who think their club is more attached to their rivals than they'd like to be.
By the time the 2018/19 season comes, The Rossoneri's will be plying their trade in the iconic San Siro Stadium, however i'm afraid the club may look back on this decision, one which could have re-generated the entire club. After all, they're one of the worlds most successful club's who are slowly being torn and interpreted into a mediocre force, a problem only the guys upstairs can fix.


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Jared Leto playing Bradford Cox's lover in new film, beat PS 22 Chorus documentary at the Gotham Awards
"Thanks for your Gotham award jokes, everybody! Really funny. Will be reading 10 on stage! #Gothamjokes" - Mike Birbiglia
Bradford Cox (Atlas Sound) at Osheaga 2012 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)
Jordan Catalano aka Elijah Wood's best friend aka 30 Seconds to Mars frontman aka one of the "alt-est" human beings alive Jared Leto is set to star in the new Jean-Marc Vallée-directed film, Dallas Buyers Club, where he plays an AIDS-infected cross-dresser whose lover is being played by Deerhunter/Atlas Sound frontman Bradford Cox (the alt-est couple ever...


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Cindy Allen - Treasure Coast
Cindy Allen Mortgage Lender
Port Saint Lucie, FL 33067
About Me
Cindy moved to Martin County in 1998 from Vermont. Once here, she realized her dream for exploring the ocean. She took great pride in learning the art of the catch and release of Sailfish. She mastered it, and became an award winning fisherman both here and in Mexico. She was a member of the Stuart Sailfish Club for several years and past State representative for the International Women's Fishing Association. Through her passion for helping others, Cindy also became a board member for a local breast cancer organization. Using her connections with the fishing community, Cindy created events to raise money in support of those who were uninsured or under insured to pay for their treatment options.
Cindy started in Residential Mortgage Lending in 2002 and became just as passionate about helping her customers find the perfect loan for their dream home. Throughout the years she realized she enjoyed helping clients build their dream homes. She quickly became a new construction expert. Cindy understands not all borrower fit in the standard qualification box. Being paired with Seacoast and the bank's portfolio products, she is able to meet the needs of the most sophisticated borrowers. While Cindy can lend anywhere in the State of Florida Saint Lucie and Martin County are her backyard. If you are building or buying your first home, Cindy will find the perfect mortgage to fit your needs.
- Treasure Coast
Specializing In:
- Construction Lending
- FHA Loans
- VA Loans
- Conventional
Request to be Contacted
NMLS ID is a unique identification number issued by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) to each Mortgage Loan Originator.
* Mobile and Online features not available for Personal Free Checking. No Fees at Publix ATM not available for Personal Free, All American, and Bank at Work Checking accounts.


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Conference topic
Soil forming processes such as weathering, formation of secondary minerals and aggregation control the stability of soil organic matter and of synthetic organic substances in soils. Soil forming processes are involved into the formation of organo-mineral associations, occlusion of organic matter, fixation of biomolecules or the formation of bound residues.
On the other hand, the accumulation of organic matter contributes to soil formation and affects other soil forming processes like aggregation or the formation of minerals. Thus, interactions between soil formation and the stabilisation of organic substances being in the centre of our workshop are of high relevance for resulting soil properties as well as for the fate of pedogenic matter and synthetic organic molecules in soils. Soil organisms affect these interactions as they transform and decompose organic matter and influence other soil forming processes (aggregation, weathering).
The workshop is being organised by the commissions II, III and VII of the German Soil Science Society and the German Society of Chemistry. We will focus on the link between recent methodological innovations from physics and chemistry and new concepts and results from soil chemical, soil biological and mineralogical research. We hope that concepts on the mechanisms of organic matter stabilisation will inspire the research concerning the formation of soil bound residues and vice versa.
Invited talks of designated experts in the regarding fields of knowledge will highlight the state of the art. In addition we are looking forward to your contributions concerning the co-evolution of soils and organic matter.


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Established to provide greater satisfaction to customers, Ashray Travels provides connectivity to different parts of Maharashtra like Karad, Satara, Kolhapur, Sawantwadi and also in Goa. The Pune-based operator is an authorised online partner of TicketGoose and it provides the best facilities among bus services. With a fleet of comfortable AC and non-AC buses, it has ensured that the best facilities are provided to customers. Among the daily service operators, Ashray Travels has been rated as one of the best in the business. Do not miss out on bus ticket offers by keeping a close track on travel websites.
Address: Parvati Road, Near Laxminarayan Theatre, Katraj – Hadapsar Bypass Road, Sasane Nagar, Hadapsar, Pune, Maharashtra - 411028.
Phone Number: 020 – 24445468 / 32533200
Email ID: The best way to contact Ashray Travels is through the numbers mentioned above.
Web Site: www.ashraytravels.in
Fleet Size: About 10 buses
Bus Types: Ashok Leyland 2X1, 34-seater, non–AC Sleeper; Ashok Leyland 2X2, 40 seater, non–AC sleeper; Corona 2X1, 31-seater, AC sleeper.


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Articles in Lawn Mower Service
Toro Sulky Velky only $169 FREE Shipping!
Sulky Velky only $169 w/ FREE Shipping!
BRAND NEW Mower sulky / velky for Toro commercial mowers. Buy now and take advantage of our summer savings specials!
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6 Tips for Mowing When It's Wet
We have received record rainfall in the Knoxville, TN area the last few weeks. This can create several issues when you mow and with your power equipment. Here are six easy tips that will keep …
Great Selection and Low Prices on Sulky and Velkeys (w/video!)
BRAND NEW Mower sulky / velky for commercial mowers. Buy now and take advantage of our summer savings specials!
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ProGreen Plus Adds New Carburetor Cleaning Technology To Service Bays
ProGreen Plus has partnered with Safety-Kleen to bring the latest in carburetor cleaning technology to our service bays. ProGreen Plus has just added Safety-Kleen's Model 11 Immersion Parts Washer to their arsenal of tools to …
VIDEO: How to properly measure a lawn mower belt
True Blue™ Belts – This long lasting universal belt, manufactured for heavy-duty applications, is double wrapped with high strength genuine DuPont KEVLAR® cords, making it virtually bullet proof. Stens' True Blue™ belts last four times longer …
Did You Know? The Center Shape of Some Lawn Mower Blades is Trademarked
Did you know that the center hole shape of most lawn mower blades is proprietary? Aftermarket manufacturers of lawn mower blades cannot use the shape that is used on the OEM part. Therefore, they have …
Time for Spring Mower Maintenance! BEAT THE SPRING RUSH
Now is a GREAT time to perform maintenance on you riding mower, push mower, commercial mower, and other power equipment. Small engines don't like to sit in storage. Carburetors begin to clog, oil sludge develops, …
Lawn and Garden Tractor Riding Mower Winterizing and Winter Storage
Time to Winterize
Perform some simple seasonal storage and start-up maintenance in the spring, fall or whenever you store your equipment for prolonged periods of time. Use our handy equipment storage checklist to help you store …
ProGreen Plus Small Engine Repair Receives 2012 Best of Knoxville Award
ProGreen Plus Small Engine Repair Receives 2012 Best of Knoxville Award
Knoxville Award Program Honors the Achievement
LOS ANGELES, CA, July 18, 2012 — ProGreen Plus Small Engine Repair has been selected for the 2012 Best of …


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This weekend sees the beginning of my fairs season
I will be in
The Winter Gardens, Weston Super Mare
Saturday 17th October
9.30am to 5pm
I have been asked to take part in an online event, selling items exclusive to to one particular venue – more of that later (not sure how much I am meant to say before it goes live)
It will be a totally different experience for me, but going occasionally outside of my comfort zone is good for the soul, and I promised myself in 2002 that nothing would ever stop me from trying anything new again. Other than anything to do with heights, I don't do heights.
For the new event and new experience I need to offer work not available elsewhere, so
will be offering necklaces and earrings in a new style, coasters in a new colour and (hopefully) these gorgeous tea light or trinket dishes – I have just three of these on offer but will be trying to get more of this design as I think it is rather gorgeous.
If you'd like to keep up to date with my new outlets, events and news, why not join my monthly newsletter? Subscribers get special offers, discount codes, free gifts and lots more ….. you can sign up using the box on the top left of this page.


text: Keeping recordsWarning: This information may not apply to the current year. Check the content carefully to ensure it is applicable to your circumstances. End of attention You must keep records of matters that affect the capital gains and losses that you make. The law requires you to keep them for 5 years after the last relevant CGT event has happened. You need to keep records of all expenditure made for a CGT asset so that you can correctly work out the amount of capital gain or loss made when the CGT event happens to it. It is important to keep records so that you do not have to pay more capital gains tax than is necessary. If you leave an asset to another person when you die, the asset may be subject to capital gains tax when a CGT event happens to it in the future - for example, the beneficiary disposes of the asset. You can help your beneficiaries to minimise the impact of the tax by making sure that you retain all relevant documents relating to assets that you acquire. See chapter 5 for more information. Last modified: 18 Sep 2009QC 18323


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Driving Automotive Technology In South Korea
November 13th When HTC introduced its Droid DNA , it proved that the Retina show wasn't the only super-high-resolution game in town. Putting the iPhone 5's pixel rely to disgrace with its 5-inch, 1080p Super LCD3 display (that's 440 ppi), the DNA additionally packed a Snapdragon S4 Professional processor, Android Jelly Bean, an 8-megapixel rear-going through digital camera and 1080p video capture. These pioneers and their millennial mindset" have demonstrated the flexibility to harness creativity to design and create transformative options.
Suzan DelBene sponsored HR 1123 – Unlocking Shopper Choice and Wi-fi Competitors Act, which sought to allow individuals to unlock their cellphones. Bill Flores and Darrell Issa voted sure on the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017 to forestall members of the EPA from receiving grants from the identical institution. Ted Lieu , who's been trolling Trump on Twitter , voted towards each the EPA Science Board … Read More


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Broadcom, wireless. Peanut butter, jelly. Together, they just work. So today's announcement that the company is adding WiFi Direct to its WICED (Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices) platform feels pretty natural. The firm believes that WICED Direct will allow OEMs to develop wearable sensors -- pedometers, heart-rate monitors, keycards -- and clothing that transmit everyday data to the cloud via a connected smartphone or tablet. This would help push along the internet of things movement that's been bandied about so much recently, and maybe even ensure you aren't locked out of the house again.
[Image credit: Brandon Shigeta / Flickr]


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Roman Hurko is an American-Canadian of Ukrainian descent, born in Toronto, Canada (1962). A graduate of the University of Toronto (Music History and Theory), as well as the Yale Institute of Sacred Music (Masters of Arts in Religion), he has also studied privately with composer Ivan Moody in Portugal.
A member of the Composers' Union of Ukraine since 2004, Roman began writing music while still in high school. His first composition "Ave Maria" for SATB choir was premiered by the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir, at the Guelph Spring Festival in 1983, with the composer conducting.
In the summers of 1983 and 1985 he attended choral conducting seminars led by Maestro Volodymyr Kolesnyk, former director of the National Opera of Ukraine. In the fall of 1985, he co-founded the St. Evtymyj Youth Choir at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toronto. Roman soon began setting parts of the liturgy for his choir, and in 1999 decided to complete and record the entire Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom to commemorate the second millenium of Christianity (Liturgy 2000).
In tandem with his compositional work, Roman worked in Opera Stage Direction for many years. A former member of the Canadian Opera Company (COC) ensemble, he worked as staff assistant director at the COC from 1988 - 93. After freelancing as an assistant director in Europe and the US (Royal Opera Covent Garden, Salzburg Festival, De Nederlands Opera, Opera de Monte Carlo, Teatro de la Zarzuela, The Washington Opera,) he made his stage directing debut in 1996 at the Spoleto Festival (Italy) with Handel's Semele. Also at Spoleto, he co-directed Prokofiev's War and Peace together with festival founder and composer, Gian Carlo Menotti. Most recently, he directed Mozart's Don Giovanni and Wagner's The Flying Dutchman at the Vancouver Opera.
During this period he also composed the incidental music for two plays with the Yara Arts Group at La Mama Experimental Theater Club in New York City: A Light From the East (1991) and Explosions (1993).
Mr. Hurko has composed and recorded five major pieces of sacred music, three complete settings of The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Liturgy 2000, Liturgy No.2 (2003), Liturgy No.3 (2011); as well as Panachyda/Requiem for the Victims of Chornobyl (2001), and Vespers (2005). The score for Roman's Vespers has also been published by and is available through Musica Russica. Liturgy 2000 was premiered in Chicago by the Schola Cantorum of St. Peter the Apostle, conducted by J. Michael Thompson, at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha's Ukrainian Catholic Church on July 14, 2000. Requiem/Panachyda, dedicated to the victims of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, received its premiere at St. Michael's Golden Domed Orthodox Cathedral in Kyiv, on April 26, 2001 (the 15th anniversary of the disaster), with the composer conducting the Frescoes of Kyiv Chamber Choir. A subsequent recording of the Requiem received its broadcast debut in April of 2003 on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio 2 programme "Choral Concert".
Selections from Liturgy No. 2 were given their North American premiere by the Elmer Iseler Singers at concerts in Ottawa and Toronto. In September of 2005, Vespers was premiered in Kyiv's Pecherska Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) by the Vydubychi Church Chorus, as the opening concert to the 16th KyivFest International Music Festival.
On April 9th, 2006, Requiem was performed in concert at Toronto's Roy Thompson Hall by the combined: Elmer Iseler Singers, Orpheus Choir, Amadeus Choir, the Vesnivka Women's Choir, and the Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir in a concert to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. This concert was subsequently broadcast on April 26th (the 20th anniversary of the disaster) on the CBC Radio 2 programme: "In Performance", and again on Sunday, May 14 on "Choral Concert".
Roman Hurko's Liturgy No. 3, the English language setting of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, received it's premier performance at the church of St. Francis Xavier in NYC on Saturday, November 12th, 2011. The concert was performed by The Choir of the Church of St. Francis Xavier, Choral Chameleon, Members of the Schola Cantorum of St. Peter the Apostle (Chicago), as well as various Guest Solo Artists, with the composer conducting. All three settings of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, as well as the Requiem and Vespers are available for purchase on itunes.
Many of Mr. Hurko's recordings have received their US broadcast premiere on Princeton Radio's "Classical Discoveries" program (103.3 FM), hosted by Marvin Rosen. Most recently, Roman has become involved in a series of recordings entitled "The Ukrainian Art Song Project" as producer. The goal of the project is to record the complete art songs of Ukraine's major composers. Volume 1 of the series, The Complete Art Songs of Kyrylo Stetsenko (1882 - 1922) was recorded during the summer of 2006 by Pavlo Hunka, Bass and Albert Krywolt, piano. Also featured on the recording are Russell Braun, Baritone and Benjamin Butterfield, tenor. The recording was launched on September 14, 2006 at the new Four Season's Opera House in Toronto. The Art Songs of Mykola Lysenko (1842 - 1912) were launched on December 5th, 2010 at Koerner Hall in Toronto. The Art Songs of Yakiv Stepovyi (1883 - 1921) were launched on February 6th, 2011 at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton. Galicians I, the art songs of Denys Sichynsky, Stanyslav Liudkevych, Vasyl Barvinsky, and Stefania Turkewich were launched on November 2nd, 2014 at Koerner Hall in Toronto. For more information about The Ukrainian Art Song Project please visit www.ukrainianartsong.ca.


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At VP Cardiology caring specialists work together to bring you a smooth and seamless outpatient surgery experience.
From pre-registration through surgery and recovery, you can expect excellent health services and highly coordinated care.
Before surgery
Undergoing an advanced cardiac diagnostic study or treatment procedure can be an anxious experience. The information contained here is designed to give you the best possible start in getting ready for a study or procedure.
If you have any concerns or questions that are not answered here, please talk to your cardiologist or doctor.
After surgery
Total bed rest is needed after the procedure. You will need to lie still for up to six hours before getting up. The most important thing to remember is not to bend the leg on the side of the puncture site.
- You must use the urinal or bedpan for elimination until the doctor allows you to get up.
- If you sneeze or cough, press your fingers over the groin area.
- The nurse will check your vital signs and the insertion site frequently.
The procedure may be performed from the arm at the wrist or elbow, your doctor will decide the best approach. If the arm is used, then limited activity of the arm is necessary for 4-6 hours.


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Proper care is essential in order to keep your jewellery looking at its best. Remember that silver, gold and brass, and beads are soft metals that can scratch and dent. In addition semi precious stones can be chipped or/and shattered if struck against a hard surface with force. Finally, harmful chemicals and long periods of direct sunlight can discolour or cause damage and fading to your jewellery.
Cleaning Your Jewellery
Whilst the information given above is provided in good faith, we do not recommend you do anything unless you are personally certain that no harm will come to your jewellery as a result of cleaning. We do not take any responsibility for damage which ensues from your actions. If in doubt, please email us on email@example.com.
We are not responsible for any allergic reactions to materials used, please mail us on firstname.lastname@example.com for further information on products


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Maria asked me if I would allow her to share my story with you all this evening. I agreed with one condition, me being allowed to make this clear to you all. Do not feel sorry for me and my "condition." I am more than the virus that is running through my body. I have overcome Time with Love. I am one of the lucky ones. My message to you this evening is the Golden One. Please treat others the way that you wish to be treated. For time is following you. Whether you know it or not, you have taken out a loan from Time in the form of the days of your life. You will be required to pay that time back. How you choose to pay it back may be your choice, maybe not. Please use your time in love. Use your time in tenderness. Use your time in compassion. Use your time to give. Give with joy in your heart. In the end, if you do not give willingly of yourself Time will repossess you. No one escapes Time.
Click here for more information on writer/publisher Jason Wood


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Whether you live with us, want to learn more about Holiday's unique lifestyle, or simply have a comment, please use this form. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will respond promptly. You can even schedule a personalized visit. We're here 7 days-a-week and offer visits to suit your schedule.
You also agree to Holiday Retirement's Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Agreement to be Contacted by Telephone.


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Forest bat populations are rapidly declining, and one or more species may soon be reclassified as endangered. If reclassified, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides the opportunity to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). An HCP helps endangered species recover by conserving their habitat during land management activities. In preparation, Minnesota and neighboring states are developing a forest bat HCP that will maintain bat habitat and allow important forest management activities to continue.
This page will keep you informed on the status of the HCP, share opportunities for involvement and gather your feedback as the plan is developed.
What should I know?
- Fast-moving white-nose syndrome is increasing the likelihood that the federally threatened northern long-eared bat and other bat species will be reclassified as endangered in the near future.
- The Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources are developing a joint, large-scale HCP. The HCP describes the costs and benefits of forest management for bats, and details conservation measures to offset forest management impacts on bats.
- Minnesota forest land owners—public or private—may participate in the ITP and have their woodlands covered by the provisions of the HCP. They have the option to develop their own HCP through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, if desired.
- The HCP integrates forest practices with conservation measures to support bat populations. Input from forest land owners, forest managers, conservation groups and other stakeholders is essential to developing an effective HCP.
What can I do?
Provide your comments and suggestions: we want to hear from you. The DNR is seeking input on draft chapters of the HCP as they are developed. Chapters One, Two and Three are now available. Submit a feedback form Wednesday, July 25, 2018 to let us know your thoughts.
- Chapter One: Introduction
- Chapter Two: Covered Activities
- Chapter Three: Environmental Setting
- Chapter Four: Take Assessment (Coming Soon)
- Chapter Five: Conservation Strategy (Coming Soon)
- Chapter Six: Plan Implementation (Coming Soon)
- Chapter Seven: Funding (Coming Soon)
- Chapter Eight: Alternatives (Coming Soon)
View the introductory webinar. This 24 minute video provides background and details about the HCP process, next steps and how you can participate. If you need an accommodation for the webinar, contact Kerstin Larson at 651-259-5562 or email [email protected].
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has more information about other steps you can take.
- Why should I care about Minnesota's forest bats?
- Bats are a critical component of a healthy ecosystem. A bat can consume its weight in insects every night, reducing the need for agricultural pesticides and decreasing mosquito populations.
- White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is causing dramatic declines in bat populations of Minnesota and across the country. Many forest bats are imperiled because of this disease.
- Forest management activities benefit bats and other wildlife, while maintaining healthy forests and generating income for landowners and timber companies.
- Many of Minnesota's bats spend spring, summer and fall in the state's forests, where they spend their days roosting in tree cavities and crevices, and under loose bark.
- Female bats give birth to young while in these tree roosts. Before they are able to fly, young bats may be vulnerable to the effects of normal forest management activities.
- Minnesotans want healthy bat populations that have access to the habitat they need to thrive and reproduce.
- Why does Minnesota need a forest bat Habitat Conservation Plan?
- In response to the effects of WNS, in 2015 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated the northern long-eared bat as "threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act.
- The 2015 designation included special provisions to allow for continued management of forest habitat.
- If Minnesota's forest bats continue to decline as expected, they will likely be reclassified as "endangered." If that happens, the special provisions will no longer be available.
- Once designated as endangered, an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) will allow for otherwise restricted summer forest management to occur.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can issue an ITP only if the applicant develops a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).
- The HCP describes the costs and benefits of forest management for bats, and what conservation measures will be implemented to offset impacts of forest management on bats.
- The HCP integrates forest practices with conservation measures that support bat populations.
- What is the DNR's role in the Habitat Conservation Plan?
- The Minnesota DNR is partnering with the Wisconsin and Michigan DNRs to develop the Lake States Forest Bat Habitat Conservation Plan.
- As a forest land owner, the Minnesota DNR will benefit from the HCP since the HCP will allow the Minnesota DNR to apply for an ITP. The DNR will extend the same opportunity to other land owners as a public service.
- A federal grant to the three states is paying for development of the HCP.
- DNR experts in bat conservation and forest management are guiding development of the HCP.
- As a forest land owner, what do I need to know?
- If any of Minnesota's forest bats are reclassified as endangered, forest landowners will need to consider the effect of their activities on the bats.
- Participation in the HCP is voluntary,but is one way to ensure that a landowner's forest management activities can be conducted without impacting endangered species.
- Participants will know they are complying with federal regulations and will provide conservation benefits to bat species while managing their forest.
Please email comments and suggestions to [email protected]. All comments will be read and considered.