Category Archives: News & Reviews

June 22, 2020 · 2:36 pm

Micro Farm Update

My Willow Glen micro farm is thriving. I usually grow cactus, and herbs like fennel, rosemary, and sage. Since we are mostly staying home because of the Covid-19 pandemic, I am taking the opportunity to grow vegetables. I started this project in April by converting a section of our little orchard. The first fruits of my farming efforts are cherry tomatoes and delicata squash. Both indicate their readiness by a color change. The tomatoes shift from green to yellow to red. The delicata squash start white and develop green lines as they mature. The tallest plants are sunflowers, which are currently competing with the apple tree for head room. I am expecting beans, peas, corn, and watermelon over time.

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Filed under Home & Family, News & Reviews

Tagged as garden, House Work, San Jose, Willow Glen

June 16, 2020 · 11:53 am

Reading _The Plague_

In 2012, we had a mouse infestation in our home, one of the potential downsides of pet birds. I was thinking of this when our book club read The Plague by Albert Camus (in which the bubonic plague starts with rats). Plague and pestilence books have been popular during the Coronavirus pandemic, with book recommendations lists being widely published. We read sections of Camus’ 1947 book in last semester’s “God and Suffering” class at GTU‘s Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology (DSPT). Ironically, The Plague was part of the reading list for the class before Covid-19 came upon us. It seems to me that in the months since the pandemic started, we have slowly become like the people of Camus’ town of Oran in Algeria who, “in the very heart of the epidemic… maintained a saving indifference, which one was tempted to take for composure.”

The Plague‘s narrator ends with qualified optimism,

He “…resolved to compile this chronicle, so that he should not be one of those who hold their peace but should bear witness in favor of those plague-stricken people; so that some memorial of the injustice and outrage done them might endure; and to state quite simply what we learn in a time of pestilence: that there are more things to admire in men than to despise.

None the less, he knew that the tale he had to tell could not be one of a final victory. It could be only the record of what had had to be done, and what assuredly would have to be done again in the never ending fight against terror and its relentless onslaughts, despite their personal afflictions, by all who, while unable to be saints but refusing to bow down to pestilences, strive their utmost to be healers.”

While our community has become less focused on the pandemic and has turned to other matters, I pray that we continue to honor and support the heroic doctors and health workers who are still fighting Covid-19.

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Filed under Home & Family, News & Reviews

Tagged as Algeria, birds, Graduate Theological Union, House Work, teaching

June 14, 2020 · 2:29 pm

Process for Online Video Services

Since 2014, my husband John Plocher has been running the Video Ministry for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Saratoga, CA. What started out needing a few hours a week using spare equipment has grown vastly since the Covid-19 pandemic took over our lives this year. John now routinely spends 12 or more hours a week creating and editing videos of music and worship services using sophisticated software and hardware. (Some of which were paid for by a 2018 St. Andrew’s Opportunity Fund grant.) John has been mentoring Youth Group members for over a year to develop their technical skills and extend the Video Ministry. In the hope that recruiting and training even more helpers will reduce his own load, John has written these process documents.

Online Worship Services and Music

John has developed a chat and video best practices exchange group – contact me if you want to join. He publishes stand-alone videos of the classical and folk service music on Saint Andrew’s Sings. Go there to hear “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” the “Navy Hymn,” a folk Taizé “Jesus Remember Me,” “Rest in the Lord,” “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise,” “We’ll Meet Again,” and other favorites. Or, hear the music as part of the weekly worship service videos. (More in my blog post New Music for Quarantine Times.)

I have been helping John by reviewing videos during development, finding memes for the end, and providing photos for preludes and postludes:

Trinity – Images of God (7 June 2020 Prelude, 3 minutes) – based on my 2017 “Images of God” Katysblog post for EfM
Stations of the Cross, Harare, Zimbabwe (14 June 2020 Prelude, 5 minutes) – with pictures I took during the TechWomen Zimbabwe Delegation, 2016
Tocatta on Amazing Grace, Photos from Lalibela, Ethiopia (14 June 2020 Postlude, 4 minutes) – with pictures I took in Lalibela, Ethiopia, 2014

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Silicon Valley and the Congo

Please consider joining me in donating to ERD. I am part of the Episcopal-Anglican Congo Network that coordinates information and support for the DRC. Violent militia raids against villages are common – causing people to flee to the relative safety of one of 60 internal refugee camps. Covid-19 and Ebola are active.

Think this has nothing to do with you? Congo produces 60% of the world’s cobalt, used to produce lithium-ion batteries for electric cars, laptops, and smartphones. We in the Silicon Valley helped to create this mess. Let’s work to solve it. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is coordinating much-needed aid. What ERD does: “Episcopal Relief & Development works in collaboration with church partners and other local organizations to facilitate healthier, more fulfilling lives in communities that are struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease.”

Recent stories from the Congo:

“As COVID-19 and conflict surge, DR Congo displaced face deadly consequences of chronic underfunding” (Reliefweb, UNHCR, 9 June 2020)
“Militia massacre: 20 villagers killed in northeast DR Congo – Civilians hacked to death with machetes and shot in the latest attack by militias that have killed hundreds this year.” (Al Jazeera, 17 May 2020)
“No link between two ongoing Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo” (Reliefweb, UNHCR, 9 June 2020)
“Congo artisanal cobalt programme expands with industry backing” (Reuters, 21 April 2020)
“Congo Moves to Monopolize About 25% of All Cobalt Exports” (Bloomberg, 30 January 2020)
“Are These Tech Companies Complicit In Human Rights Abuses Of Child Cobalt Miners In Congo?” (Forbes, 13 January 2020)
“Apple and Google named in US lawsuit over Congolese child cobalt mining deaths – Dell, Microsoft and Tesla also among tech firms named in case brought by families of children killed or injured while mining in DRC” (Guardian, 16 December 2019)
“Top tech firms sued over DR Congo cobalt mining deaths – Apple, Google, Tesla and Microsoft are among firms named in a lawsuit seeking damages over deaths and injuries of child miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo.” (BBC News, 16 December 2019)

Not all the news is bad, some Silicon Valley companies are working on recycling as an alternate solution to the problem of needing Congo’s cobalt. For example: “Daisy is Apple’s new iPhone-recycling robot” (The Verge, 19 April 2018)

The Congo Network is chaired by the Rev. David Copley, Director of Global Partnerships and Mission Personnel, Ministries Beyond the Episcopal Church.

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Poems by Mohja Kahf

I recommend to you the poems of Dr. Mohja Kahf, whom you may know as the author of “My Grandmother Washes Her Feet in the Sink of the Bathroom at Sears.” Poet and scholar Mohja Kahf was born in Damascus, Syria. Her family moved to the United States in 1971, and Kahf grew up in the Midwest. She earned a PhD in comparative literature from Rutgers University. Her remarkable poetry books are:

We read Kahf’s poem “My Grandmother Washes Her Feet…” every term in the weekly classes I lead in Santa Clara County jail. It is one of the most popular selections in our Transforming Literature of the Bible course at Elmwood Jail. We read the poem to complement the story of Joseph in Egypt, as part of a discussion on being a bridge between cultures (Genesis 37-50). Volunteer jail chaplains are locked out now because of the Covid-19 quarantine but I look forward to returning. I miss my students!

In Hagar Poems, I found this one which seems very appropriate for the conversations our country is having now:

“Most Wanted”
by Mohja Kahf

Warning: God has slipped the noose.
We must confirm the worst
of our righteous fears –
God has escaped the mosque,
the synagogue, the church
where we’ve locked up God for years.

God is on the loose.

Henceforth beware:
You may find God in heathen beauty.
You may stumble upon God unaware.
Take appropriate measures:
You may have to behave
as if each human being
could reflect God’s face.

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2 Comments

Filed under Mentoring & Other Business, News & Reviews

Tagged as Egypt, Jail, Mentoring, Middle East, teaching, writing

June 5, 2020 · 4:34 pm

Leading by Example

On Facebook, I have been posting stories which demonstrate leading by example. I disagree with Sharon Keating’s assessment in her Buzzfeed article yesterday, “Stop Sharing Viral Photos Of Cops Kneeling With Protesters”, in which she writes, “This movement is not about individuals.” Systemic evil like our country’s racism and violence toward people of color was built up one person at a time. I believe this toxic system can only be torn down by each of us honoring each other’s importance as an individual, a valued and loved child of God. A moment of humble solidarity is important, is something we can build on and celebrate. Even though they may not last, I will continue to share those moments of leadership.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer)

Facebook Posts on Leading by Example

Leading by example – Santa Maria Urban Ministry Food Pantry, open for impoverished families in San Jose during Covid-19 (SMUM website)
Leading by example – Washington DC Mayor, Muriel Bowser: “D.C. Mayor Bowser has ‘Black Lives Matter’ painted on street leading to White House: The act was intended to honor protesters who had peacefully assembled earlier this week.” (NBC News)
Leading by example – Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers: “US Church Leader Responds to Donald Trump.” (ABC The Drum)
Leading by example – Washington National Cathedral Dean, the Very Rev. Randy Hollerith: “Dean Randy Hollerith passed out water and knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the time it took for the life to be taken from George Floyd.” (posted by the National Cathedral on Facebook, 4 June 2020)
Leading by example – Right Rev. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury: “Trump brandishing a Bible ‘an act of idolatry,’ says former Archbishop of Canterbury.” (Episcopal News Service)
Leading by example -“Black Lives Matter protest in Wichita changed to cookout with police” (Kansas City Star, Wichita Eagle)
Leading by example – “Love in Action” Feeding the hungry (The Rooted Rector blog, Pacific Grove)
Leading by example – Right Rev. Michael Curry, Episcopal Presiding Bishop, “Episcopal Bishop Cites Christian Gospel In Criticism Of Trump” (Rachel Maddow | MSNBC)
Leading by example – former President Jimmy Carter: “Dehumanizing People Debases Us All” Jimmy Carter releases statement on George Floyd protests (Axios)
Leading by example – “Vandalism to art” (video of artist painting over offensive wall graffiti with cupcakes and strawberries)
Leading by example – “Video of Oakland police officers kneeling with protesters goes viral” (SFGate)
Leading by example – “Some officers march and kneel with protesters, creating dissonant images on fraught weekend of uprisings” (Washington Post)
Leading by example – “Police officers are joining protesters for prayers and hugs in several US cities” (CNN)
Leading by example – “Watch: Boston officers take a knee in response to urging by protesters outside police headquarters” (Boston.com)
Leading by example – “Protesters and Cleveland officers kneel, pray together during George Floyd demonstration at police station” (Cleveland.com)
Leading by example – “Tense protest turns emotional as 60 North Carolina police kneel before demonstrators” (Charlotte Observer)
Leading by example – former President Barak Obama: “Obama condemns violence and calls for change in wake of George Floyd protests” (CNN)
Leading by example – former President George Bush: “‘End Systemic Racism’: Bush 43 Delivers Rare, Silent Rebuke to Trump – Calls for Law Enforcement to ‘Protect’ Protestors” (NCRM)
Leading by example – “Tennessee National Guardsmen put down their shields during peaceful rally at state capitol” (MSN)
Leading by example – Santa Cruz Mayor Justin Cummings and Police Chief Andy Mills: “Santa Cruz Police Chief with no riot gear, no backup, just kneeling with the local community, it’s that simple” (posted by Renata Rollins on Facebook – 30 May 2020)
Leading by example – “This is how Miami Police met crowds protesting the death of George Floyd and racism in America.” (Pictures of kneeling police officers, posted by Jamie Lee Quickert on Facebook, 31 May 2020)

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Thanks to the Rev. Peggy Bryan for the “Faith can move mountains…” image!

New Music for Quarantine Times

My husband John Plocher is not musical but during the COVID-19 quarantine, he has been helping others to sing. John has been recording and broadcasting our regular church services from the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church choir loft for years (with backup from the talented teens of the Youth Group whom he has been mentoring). During the quarantine, John used the skills and equipment he had put together to help St. Andrew’s clergy shift into a weekly service online. Music has always been a huge part of our parish community life, so John has created online music with choir directors Leroy Kromm, and David Howard-Pitney, and the inspiring parish symphony and folk choirs, singers, and instrumentalists.

John recently published a new website: Saint Andrew’s Sings – where the classical and folk music videos are posted each week. Go there to hear “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” the “Navy Hymn,” a folk Taizé “Jesus Remember Me,” “Rest in the Lord,” “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise,” “We’ll Meet Again,” and other favorites. (I am very proud of John – can you tell?)

“St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, in Saratoga, CA has a strong musical tradition that continues even as we isolate ourselves during these Inside Times. This is a collection of instrumental and choral works, folk music, meditations and solo performances – all recorded “solo” during the corona virus quarantine and produced virtually, for your enjoyment and the glory of God.”

Other choirs and singers around the world have also been creating new music for quarantine times. Some of those I have enjoyed:

“Singing Through the Storm” by Steven Franklin Harris
“Let Your Light Shine with Keb’ Mo'” Virtual Choir – Boston Children’s Choir Online
“The United Kingdom Blessing” Churches sing ‘The Blessing” over the UK
“Longest Time” – Quarantine Edition, Phoenix Chamber Choir
Genuine Fake Russian Choir “How Australia’s ‘fake genuine Russian choir’ Dustyesky went viral during the coronavirus pandemic”
“Parting Glass” – The Choir of Man
“The Bay Area Blessing” — Churches sing ‘The Blessing” over the San Francisco Bay Area

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Updated with new link 30 May 2020

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Filed under Church, Home & Family, News & Reviews

Tagged as Episcopal church, Geeks, John, Mentoring, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

Category Archives: News & Reviews

Micro Farm Update

Reading _The Plague_

Process for Online Video Services

Silicon Valley and the Congo

Poems by Mohja Kahf

Leading by Example

New Music for Quarantine Times

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