Sharing your important words, Nathan. Thank you. My husband is a three time trump voter. I tried to talk with him about all this. He said, “We’ll see what happens.” I struggle, but I can’t leave. He has mild cognitive impairment following a stroke. We avoid talking politics, but we are Episcopalian. I thought I might finally get an encouraging response from him. I am so grateful to Bishop Budde for speaking truth to power. Thank you for giving me a moment to share my struggle, which is so small in comparison to all the frightened people in this country tonight.🙏🏼
She has written a book (2023)Looks like it is currently sold out. It would be cool if the words she spoke at this service resulted in a run on them. Waiting for one. Also available on Kindle. Title: How We Learn To Be Brave:
I was able to download the book on Audible. The title is "How We Learn to be Brave." The bonus is that Bishop Budde reads her book, so I get to listen to her preach!
Thank you for putting Bishop Budde's words in the tradition of the Hebrew prophets. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, those Christians around the president assuring him that God is behind his actions seem like the court prophets.
"Love the immigrant as yourself," of course, appears in the same chapter of Leviticus as "Love your neighbor as yourself.” It's hard to argue that what Jesus calls one of the two greatest commandments doesn't embrace the immigrant, too.
She is a beacon of light and a role model. I hope that some in the media keep the light on what those in power try to do to her in the days to come, because I'm sure they will.
I am proud to be a member of the WNC family and have always admired Bishop Budde. I couldn't be prouder of her example than I am now. Thanks, Father Nathan, for this wonderful essay.
Wrote you a Yankoboop, hoping to post later on Mixtape on the Titanic. Would love any free subscribers to my Substack. Not intending to poach - encouraging anyone I find to pay to subscribe to you.
I grew up a minister's kid of a left wing, social justice minded, speak truth to power UMC pastor. The bishop's words were a wake up that we can continue to speak truth til our mouths run dry. And you, Father Nathan, remind me that those of us with "church in our bones", who left because the church failed to understand and live as directed by the leftist political activist that was Jesus, need to keep trying to uphold the goodness and defiance of corruption we were taught. Even when we wrestle with faith and religion (although, I was taught if we weren't wrestling with it, we'd lost our way in this life). I don't miss church, but I miss community, where we speak truth to power over and over, and join together to say no more. You are the voice for that kind of community for so many of us and I'm so grateful you're here.
Fantastic theology and explaining of the Scriptures, Fr. Nathan. I always love reading and learn from your essays. You are doing God's Work and I so appreciate your humor in doing so! Love, kc, ihm
Thank you for following through and showing us how to do the same. This cannot be swept under the rug. We need to profess our faith and follow those brave enough to speak. We all need to become speakers. God has spoken again. God continually speaks. Listen and act.
Sharing your important words, Nathan. Thank you. My husband is a three time trump voter. I tried to talk with him about all this. He said, “We’ll see what happens.” I struggle, but I can’t leave. He has mild cognitive impairment following a stroke. We avoid talking politics, but we are Episcopalian. I thought I might finally get an encouraging response from him. I am so grateful to Bishop Budde for speaking truth to power. Thank you for giving me a moment to share my struggle, which is so small in comparison to all the frightened people in this country tonight.🙏🏼
Marcia you're not alone. I also live in a house divided and it's difficult. Peace, for both of us!
Thank you, Pam. It’s comforting to know you are out there.💙
She has written a book (2023)Looks like it is currently sold out. It would be cool if the words she spoke at this service resulted in a run on them. Waiting for one. Also available on Kindle. Title: How We Learn To Be Brave:
Decisive Moments in Life and Faith.
I was able to download the book on Audible. The title is "How We Learn to be Brave." The bonus is that Bishop Budde reads her book, so I get to listen to her preach!
I sent her an email a few hours ago telling her that I greatly admired her speaking truth to power.
Thank you for putting Bishop Budde's words in the tradition of the Hebrew prophets. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, those Christians around the president assuring him that God is behind his actions seem like the court prophets.
"Love the immigrant as yourself," of course, appears in the same chapter of Leviticus as "Love your neighbor as yourself.” It's hard to argue that what Jesus calls one of the two greatest commandments doesn't embrace the immigrant, too.
She is amazingly brave and we need more leaders like her. I hope she stays safe.
She is a beacon of light and a role model. I hope that some in the media keep the light on what those in power try to do to her in the days to come, because I'm sure they will.
I am proud to be a member of the WNC family and have always admired Bishop Budde. I couldn't be prouder of her example than I am now. Thanks, Father Nathan, for this wonderful essay.
Spot on Nathan, thank you!
Oh. This is super valuable. Forwarding it to my feed.
Thank you for your words about this Father Nathan! Yet another one of your lessons that I'm sharing.
Wrote you a Yankoboop, hoping to post later on Mixtape on the Titanic. Would love any free subscribers to my Substack. Not intending to poach - encouraging anyone I find to pay to subscribe to you.
Pew Pew (Sit Back Down)
Just another service
In a sacred hall of stone
Where the mighty gather
On their gilded temp'rary throne
They expected silence
From the clergy down below
But she rose and chose that moment
Said "This far no more we'll go"
Pew! Pew!
(That's the sound of)
Truth to power at their gate
While the bigshots squirmed uncomfortable
In seats they thought were safe
Pew! Pew!
(Watch them scatter!)
As her words cut through their shield
Like a laser through their armor
Every falsehood was revealed
Once there was a woman
On a bus in sixty-five
Said "My conscience tells me
Here's where I must rise"
Now another sister
In a different sacred space
Stood up in that pulpit
Put some gospel in their face
Some say "back of buses"
Some say "back of pews"
But when conscience rises
There's no time to choose
Each voice in its season
Each stand in its time
Till the mighty tumble
From their thrones sublime
Now he's rage-tweeting fury
(Like he always tends to do)
Calls her "so-called Bishop"
Shows his words ring true
But you can't stop conscience
Can't cage mercy with your might
Can't silence holy thunder
When it's time to set things right
Pew! Pew!
(Keep it coming!)
For the children locked in fear
For the workers in the shadows
And the strangers drawing near
Pew! Pew!
(Truth's amazing!)
Watch them fidget, watch them squirm
As she preaches love and mercy
Makes them witnesses to learn
That no throne
Lasts forever
When the truth comes out to play
'Cause the Bishop had a message
And she would not look away!
No she wouldn't look away!
(Watch them pray to look away!)
I grew up a minister's kid of a left wing, social justice minded, speak truth to power UMC pastor. The bishop's words were a wake up that we can continue to speak truth til our mouths run dry. And you, Father Nathan, remind me that those of us with "church in our bones", who left because the church failed to understand and live as directed by the leftist political activist that was Jesus, need to keep trying to uphold the goodness and defiance of corruption we were taught. Even when we wrestle with faith and religion (although, I was taught if we weren't wrestling with it, we'd lost our way in this life). I don't miss church, but I miss community, where we speak truth to power over and over, and join together to say no more. You are the voice for that kind of community for so many of us and I'm so grateful you're here.
Fantastic theology and explaining of the Scriptures, Fr. Nathan. I always love reading and learn from your essays. You are doing God's Work and I so appreciate your humor in doing so! Love, kc, ihm
Thank you for following through and showing us how to do the same. This cannot be swept under the rug. We need to profess our faith and follow those brave enough to speak. We all need to become speakers. God has spoken again. God continually speaks. Listen and act.