Inherent Dignity – v2

Made in the image of the Creator

inherent dignity for each person

loved into creation

each made by the hand of God

All of us, by grace and mercy

endowed with basic rights

common, inherent dignity

never to be breached

edited April 16, 2014

Inherent Dignity – v2

February 23, 2010

Inherent Dignity

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/inherent-dignity.html

video “Ending U.S.-Sponsored Torture Forever”

http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=343&Itemid=259

National Religious Campaign Against Torture

110 Maryland Ave, NE, Suite 502

Washington, DC 20002

Phone: 202-547-1920

Fax: 202-547-1921

http://www.nrcat.org

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 29,140+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Throwing Away Our People – v3

Our vision so limited

retribution for justice

throwing away our people

a whole generation lost

Time to look anew

under these statistics

to see the path of reform

as good for our whole nation

edited January 21, 2014

“Throwing Away Our People – v3

(editing original again)

Edited August 8, 2013

“Throwing Away Our People – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/throwing-away-our-people-v2.html

September 21, 2010

“Throwing Away Our People”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/throwing-away-our-people.html

http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/c.frLJK2PKLqF/b.6224943/k.A0/National_Criminal_Justice_Commission_Act/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=6224943&en=idIDIFMoF8LyHOMoE2IyHQPpFdKNLOPkEcKKKOMwHnKXG

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,480+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Throwing Away Our People – v2

Our vision so limited

retribution for justice

throwing away our people

a whole generation lost

Time to look anew

under the statistics, the truth,

to see the path of reform

as good for our whole nation

Edited August 8, 2013

“Throwing Away Our People – v2”

September 21, 2010

“Throwing Away Our People”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/throwing-away-our-people.html

http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/c.frLJK2PKLqF/b.6224943/k.A0/National_Criminal_Justice_Commission_Act/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=6224943&en=idIDIFMoF8LyHOMoE2IyHQPpFdKNLOPkEcKKKOMwHnKXG

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

No parent scared – v2

no parent scared

no child uncovered

healthcare for our nation

no one left out

Expanding the programs

so all have access

all have insurance

to meet their needs

no parent scared

no child uncovered

healthcare for our nation

no one left out

Expanding our vision

our care for our neighbors

all should be protected

none should know want

Edited January 10, 2013

“no parent scared – v2”

Edited January 10, 2013

new poem, “no parent scared”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/no-parent-scared.html

January 10, 2013

“All of them covered”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/all-of-them-covered.html

My response to post by Tracy Zimmerman on Facebook

https://twitter.com/TracyZimmerman/status/289403939026255872

“What children's issue do you think the new Congress should make

its top priority in 2013? http://fb.me/1zkk8svNp ”

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/289404529110310912

“True universal health care (including dental & mental)

for all the nation's children and their parents, regardless of income”

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

All of them covered – v2

Shame on our nation

compromise hurting

choosing other battles

leaving them unprotected

All of our children,

their parents, our people

needing to be secure

safe within themselves

All of them covered

that is the mission

a challenge to this nation

this place, this dream

America better

than our politics would mirror

too many hurting

left behind with no help

Our nation should rally

giving voice to this need

all should be healthy

no matter their means

January 10, 2013

My response to post by Tracy Zimmerman on Facebook

https://twitter.com/TracyZimmerman/status/289403939026255872

“What children's issue do you think the new Congress should make

its top priority in 2013? http://fb.me/1zkk8svNp ”

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/289404529110310912

“True universal health care (including dental & mental)

for all the nation's children and their parents, regardless of income”

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

No parent scared

no parent scared

no child uncovered

care for our nation

no one left out

expanding the programs

so all have access

all have insurance

to meet their needs

no parent scared

no child uncovered

care for our nation

no one left out

expanding our vision

our care for our neighbors

all should be protected

none should know want

Edited January 10, 2013

new poem, “no parent scared”

January 10, 2013

“All of them covered”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/all-of-them-covered.html

My response to post by Tracy Zimmerman on Facebook

https://twitter.com/TracyZimmerman/status/289403939026255872

“What children's issue do you think the new Congress should make

its top priority in 2013? http://fb.me/1zkk8svNp ”

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/289404529110310912

“True universal health care (including dental & mental)

for all the nation's children and their parents, regardless of income”

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

All of them covered

Shame on our nation

compromise hurting

choosing other battles

leaving them unprotected

All of our children,

their parents, our people

needing to be secure

safe within ourselves

All of them covered

that is the mission

the challenge to this nation

this place, this dream

America better

than our politics would mirror

too many hurting

left behind with no help

Our nation should rally

giving voice to this need

all should be healthy

no matter their means

January 10, 2013

My response to post by Tracy Zimmerman on Facebook

https://twitter.com/TracyZimmerman/status/289403939026255872

“What children's issue do you think the new Congress should make

its top priority in 2013? http://fb.me/1zkk8svNp ”

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/289404529110310912

“True universal health care (including dental & mental)

for all the nation's children and their parents, regardless of income”

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Lip Service to God

In the age they were in
more social than religious
speaking the words
but trusting in people
believing in themselves
the strength of humans
to mold, to fashion
to create a moral nation

Lip service to God
more convention
than firmly held belief
living out their teachings
believing in one’s self
the master of destiny
not submitting to God
the master of creation

November 15, 2011
Occupy Wall Street
“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”,
when compared to the egalitarianism of
the First Christians
see John 12:6
&
Worship Theme: “Intentional Faith Development”
Acts 2:42-47 (The Message Bible)
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (Common English Bible)
Psalm 103:1-5 (Common English Bible) (Call to Worship)
Unison Prayer:
“Loving God, we thank you for this day. Thank you for
your Word that guides and sustains us. As we hear
your Word may we rejoice in your loving-kindness and goodness;
may we draw ever closer to you.
We pray for eyes to see you in the world,
ears to hear your whisper on the wind, and a heart that is
moldable in your hands. All this we pray in the
name above all names, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
and sermon,
“Equipped for the Journey”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
October 16, 2011
Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost
&
Third of Six part sermon series on
“Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations”
http://fivepractices.org/books/five-practices-of-fruitful-congregations/
and the book by the same name, by Robert Schnase,
http://methodistthinker.com/2009/01/14/bishop-robert-schnase-on-the-five-practices/, bishop of the Missouri Area of the United Methodist Church
http://www.moumethodist.org/page.asp?PKValue=777
&
Worship Theme: “The Practice of Passionate Worship”
Psalm 84:5-12
Psalm 84:1-4
Psalm 25:1-2a, 4-5 (Call to Worship)
Unison Prayer (GBOD 2011)
http://www.gbod.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=nhLRJ2PMKsG&b=5511965&ct=7918849
A Prayer for World Communion Sunday
by Safiyah Fosua
Prayers of Dedication (GBOD 2005)
and sermon, “I Give You My Heart”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
October 2, 2011
Seventeenth Sunday of Pentecost
World Communion Sunday
&
Worship Theme: “The Practice of Radical Hospitality”
Romans 15:1-7 (NRSV Bible)
Romans 15:1-13 (NRSV Bible)
James 1:22-25 (Common English Bible)
Psalm 118:28-29 (Common English Bible)(Call to Worship)
Sermon: “That’s Radical Man!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 25, 2011
Sixteenth Sunday of Pentecost
&
March 9, 2010
Faith In Action, March 5, 2010
Word from Winkler, “The sacred work of reconciliation”,
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society,
United Methodist Church
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5844085&ct=8061951&tr=y&auid=6027215
&
Matthew 26:57-68
I John 4:16b-21
Isaiah 58:6-9 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Those who condemned Jesus”
and sermon, “Condemned By the Righteous”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
the third in a series of sermons, based in part on the book,
“24 Hours That Changed the World”, by Reverend Adam Hamilton
http://thewell.cor.org/resurrection-resources/24-hours-that-changed-the-world.html
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 14, 2010
Fourth Sunday in Lent
&
October 8, 2011
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150827660505618&set=a.10150831905990618.729342.814330617&type=3&theater
parallels to the Arab Spring form of protest
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-wallstreet-protests-history-idUSTRE7964CY20111007
Wall Street protests
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/opinion/occupied-wall-street-seen-from-abroad.html
=====
March 17, 2011
calling on President Obama and the world
to act in the Middle East, especially in Libya and Bahrain,
to stand with the people
yearning to breathe free
and not worrying about the results,
that it is always right to stand for basic human rights
&
on the transformations since the beginning of January -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Oman,
Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, etc.

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 14,120+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

Flawed from the beginning

The vision, the language
the pursuit of our own wealth
not enough balance
in the structure itself
Look at the authors
the framers, the founders
flawed by ambition
holding others as slaves
gluttony, power
contorting other visions
in their own image
believing that one can
pull yourself by your own bootstraps
that self-made men
were something more than a lie

November 15, 2011
Occupy Wall Street
“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”,
when compared to the egalitarianism of
the First Christians
see John 12:6
&
Worship Theme: “Intentional Faith Development”
Acts 2:42-47 (The Message Bible)
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (Common English Bible)
Psalm 103:1-5 (Common English Bible) (Call to Worship)
Unison Prayer:
“Loving God, we thank you for this day. Thank you for
your Word that guides and sustains us. As we hear
your Word may we rejoice in your loving-kindness and goodness;
may we draw ever closer to you.
We pray for eyes to see you in the world,
ears to hear your whisper on the wind, and a heart that is
moldable in your hands. All this we pray in the
name above all names, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
and sermon,
“Equipped for the Journey”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
October 16, 2011
Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost
&
Third of Six part sermon series on
“Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations”
http://fivepractices.org/books/five-practices-of-fruitful-congregations/
and the book by the same name, by Robert Schnase,
http://methodistthinker.com/2009/01/14/bishop-robert-schnase-on-the-five-practices/, bishop of the Missouri Area of the United Methodist Church
http://www.moumethodist.org/page.asp?PKValue=777
&
Worship Theme: “The Practice of Passionate Worship”
Psalm 84:5-12
Psalm 84:1-4
Psalm 25:1-2a, 4-5 (Call to Worship)
Unison Prayer (GBOD 2011)
http://www.gbod.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=nhLRJ2PMKsG&b=5511965&ct=7918849
A Prayer for World Communion Sunday
by Safiyah Fosua
Prayers of Dedication (GBOD 2005)
and sermon, “I Give You My Heart”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
October 2, 2011
Seventeenth Sunday of Pentecost
World Communion Sunday
&
Worship Theme: “The Practice of Radical Hospitality”
Romans 15:1-7 (NRSV Bible)
Romans 15:1-13 (NRSV Bible)
James 1:22-25 (Common English Bible)
Psalm 118:28-29 (Common English Bible)(Call to Worship)
Sermon: “That’s Radical Man!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 25, 2011
Sixteenth Sunday of Pentecost
&
March 9, 2010
Faith In Action, March 5, 2010
Word from Winkler, “The sacred work of reconciliation”,
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society,
United Methodist Church
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5844085&ct=8061951&tr=y&auid=6027215
&
Matthew 26:57-68
I John 4:16b-21
Isaiah 58:6-9 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Those who condemned Jesus”
and sermon, “Condemned By the Righteous”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
the third in a series of sermons, based in part on the book,
“24 Hours That Changed the World”, by Reverend Adam Hamilton
http://thewell.cor.org/resurrection-resources/24-hours-that-changed-the-world.html
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 14, 2010
Fourth Sunday in Lent
&
October 8, 2011
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150827660505618&set=a.10150831905990618.729342.814330617&type=3&theater
parallels to the Arab Spring form of protest
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-wallstreet-protests-history-idUSTRE7964CY20111007
Wall Street protests
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/opinion/occupied-wall-street-seen-from-abroad.html
=====
March 17, 2011
calling on President Obama and the world
to act in the Middle East, especially in Libya and Bahrain,
to stand with the people
yearning to breathe free
and not worrying about the results,
that it is always right to stand for basic human rights
&
on the transformations since the beginning of January -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Oman,
Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, etc.

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 14,120+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

A Drumbeat Growing

The sounds of the marchers
of those hidden in the shadows
of a nation rising
of the disenfranchised, the struggling
of those seeking freedom
from oppression, from anxiety
no voice in the machine
the whole not listening
yet they continue to speak
the groundswell forming
not abating, not yet
the voices of the masses
crying out for our freedom
for the masters to be silenced
for the scales to be balanced
for an equal choice of freedom
all people of this nation
in the drumbeat speaking. . .
Will they ever listen

October 10, 2011
http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/10/us/occupy-wall-street/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
&
Faith In Action, March 5, 2010
Word from Winkler, “The sacred work of reconciliation”,
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society,
United Methodist Church
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5844085&ct=8061951&tr=y&auid=6027215
&
Matthew 26:57-68
I John 4:16b-21
Isaiah 58:6-9 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Those who condemned Jesus”
and sermon, “Condemned By the Righteous”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
the third in a series of sermons, based in part on the book,
“24 Hours That Changed the World”, by Reverend Adam Hamilton
http://thewell.cor.org/resurrection-resources/24-hours-that-changed-the-world.html
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 14, 2010
Fourth Sunday in Lent
&
October 8, 2011
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150827660505618&set=a.10150831905990618.729342.814330617&type=3&theater
parallels to the Arab Spring form of protest
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-wallstreet-protests-history-idUSTRE7964CY20111007
Wall Street protests
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/opinion/occupied-wall-street-seen-from-abroad.html
=====
March 17, 2011
calling on President Obama and the world
to act in the Middle East, especially in Libya and Bahrain,
to stand with the people
yearning to breathe free
and not worrying about the results,
that it is always right to stand for basic human rights
&
on the transformations since the beginning of January -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Oman,
Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, etc.

AAll of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,630+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

A Representative Democracy

Whom do they represent
the leaders, the elite
do they represent the people
or the ones with the strings
the leaders, the masters
the powerful, the elite
all entwined, unraveling
like strings of the tapestry
falling to the streets
picked up by the people
a new fabric being written
tied together, binding up the nation
a new vision, tableau
new pages being written
reconciling us together
the frayed and forgotten
those on the margin
crying out for freedom
in this time, their season
that their voices would be heard
the great majority
not just those
prowling the corridors of power

October 10, 2011
March 9, 2010
Faith In Action, March 5, 2010
Word from Winkler, “The sacred work of reconciliation”,
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society,
United Methodist Church
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5844085&ct=8061951&tr=y&auid=6027215
&
Matthew 26:57-68
I John 4:16b-21
Isaiah 58:6-9 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Those who condemned Jesus”
and sermon, “Condemned By the Righteous”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
the third in a series of sermons, based in part on the book,
“24 Hours That Changed the World”, by Reverend Adam Hamilton
http://thewell.cor.org/resurrection-resources/24-hours-that-changed-the-world.html
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 14, 2010
Fourth Sunday in Lent
&
October 8, 2011
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150827660505618&set=a.10150831905990618.729342.814330617&type=3&theater
parallels to the Arab Spring form of protest
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-wallstreet-protests-history-idUSTRE7964CY20111007
Wall Street protests
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/opinion/occupied-wall-street-seen-from-abroad.html
=====
March 17, 2011
calling on President Obama and the world
to act in the Middle East, especially in Libya and Bahrain,
to stand with the people
yearning to breathe free
and not worrying about the results,
that it is always right to stand for basic human rights
&
on the transformations since the beginning of January -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Oman,
Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, etc.

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,630+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Claiming Greed as a Virtue

Claiming greed as a virtue
the accumulation of wealth
the pursuit of money
death in itself
Making the name
the profession of faith
claiming the name
of Christ itself
yet holding onto treasure
not giving of one’s self
not treating your neighbor
with love, sharing the wealth
silos full, not giving
claiming works, not grace
the measure of our faith
a bold lie nonetheless
none of it true,
none of it Christian
the cries of the people
yearning to be free
the boot of the masters
the ones pulling the strings of power
they are the ones
who should be in the streets
not the hurting, the hungry
desperate for tomorrow
caring for their children
those who will follow
all of them seeking
a refreshing of the spirit
wanting to know Jesus
his authentic teaching
loving our neighbor
giving freely
not holding back
our silos empty

October 10, 2011
Worship Theme: “Intentional Faith Development”
Acts 2:42-47 (The Message Bible)
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (Common English Bible)
Psalm 103:1-5 (Common English Bible) (Call to Worship)
and sermon, “Equipped for the Journey”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
October 16, 2011
Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost
&
March 9, 2010
Faith In Action, March 5, 2010
Word from Winkler, “The sacred work of reconciliation”,
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society,
United Methodist Church
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5844085&ct=8061951&tr=y&auid=6027215
&
Matthew 26:57-68
I John 4:16b-21
Isaiah 58:6-9 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Those who condemned Jesus”
and sermon, “Condemned By the Righteous”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
the third in a series of sermons, based in part on the book,
“24 Hours That Changed the World”, by Reverend Adam Hamilton
http://thewell.cor.org/resurrection-resources/24-hours-that-changed-the-world.html
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
March 14, 2010
Fourth Sunday in Lent
&
October 8, 2011
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150827660505618&set=a.10150831905990618.729342.814330617&type=3&theater
parallels to the Arab Spring form of protest
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-wallstreet-protests-history-idUSTRE7964CY20111007
Wall Street protests
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/opinion/occupied-wall-street-seen-from-abroad.html
=====
March 17, 2011
calling on President Obama and the world
to act in the Middle East, especially in Libya and Bahrain,
to stand with the people
yearning to breathe free
and not worrying about the results,
that it is always right to stand for basic human rights
&
on the transformations since the beginning of January -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Oman,
Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, etc.

America, freedom, hope, justice, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, revolution, faith, Wall Street, crisis, protest, liberty, class warfare, Arab Spring, God, grace, Christ, love, GBCS, UMC,

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Making the Name a Lie

Claiming the name of Christian
yet taking the power, the wealth
claiming hard work is holy
an end unto itself

Silos full, overflowing,
yet their neighbors are starving
claiming they are lazy
unworthy of sharing

Forgetting the lessons
the commands of our Savior
to seek out ways to help them
all those in need

Claiming the name of Christian
yet making the name a lie
as if we earn salvation
by our toil, our works in this life

Believing the lies of this world
yet claiming the name of Jesus
none of them truly faithful
of the servanthood of Christ

October 10, 2011
Worship Theme: “Intentional Faith Development”
Acts 2:42-47 (The Message Bible)
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (Common English Bible)
Psalm 103:1-5 (Common English Bible) (Call to Worship)
and sermon, “Equipped for the Journey”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
October 16, 2011
Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost
&
March 9, 2010
Faith In Action, March 5, 2010
Word from Winkler, “The sacred work of reconciliation”,
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society,
United Methodist Church
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5844085&ct=8061951&tr=y&auid=6027215
&
Matthew 26:57-68
I John 4:16b-21
Isaiah 58:6-9 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Those who condemned Jesus”
and sermon, “Condemned By the Righteous”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
the third in a series of sermons, based in part on the book,
“24 Hours That Changed the World”, by Reverend Adam Hamilton
http://thewell.cor.org/resurrection-resources/24-hours-that-changed-the-world.html
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 14, 2010
Fourth Sunday in Lent
&
October 8, 2011
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150827660505618&set=a.10150831905990618.729342.814330617&type=3&theater
parallels to the Arab Spring form of protest
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-wallstreet-protests-history-idUSTRE7964CY20111007
Wall Street protests
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/opinion/occupied-wall-street-seen-from-abroad.html
=====
March 17, 2011
calling on President Obama and the world
to act in the Middle East, especially in Libya and Bahrain,
to stand with the people
yearning to breathe free
and not worrying about the results,
that it is always right to stand for basic human rights
&
on the transformations since the beginning of January -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Oman,
Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, etc.

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,600+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Your Silos are Full

Just as the rich man
the parable of Jesus
the food stored
all of your wealth
here on earth
your treasure, gathered
your silos full
here on the earth

Yet your neighbors starving
crying, dying
going without food
without medical attention
living, in fear,
not knowing tomorrow
where will their hope be
what can they believe in
in this land of promise

edited October 9, 2011
March 9, 2010
Faith In Action, March 5, 2010
Word from Winkler, “The sacred work of reconciliation”,
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society,
United Methodist Church
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5844085&ct=8061951&tr=y&auid=6027215
&
Matthew 26:57-68
I John 4:16b-21
Isaiah 58:6-9 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Those who condemned Jesus”
and sermon, “Condemned By the Righteous”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
the third in a series of sermons, based in part on the book,
“24 Hours That Changed the World”, by Reverend Adam Hamilton
http://thewell.cor.org/resurrection-resources/24-hours-that-changed-the-world.html
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 14, 2010
Fourth Sunday in Lent
&
October 8, 2011
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150827660505618&set=a.10150831905990618.729342.814330617&type=3&theater
parallels to the Arab Spring form of protest
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-wallstreet-protests-history-idUSTRE7964CY20111007
Wall Street protests
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/opinion/occupied-wall-street-seen-from-abroad.html
=====
March 17, 2011
calling on President Obama and the world
to act in the Middle East, especially in Libya and Bahrain,
to stand with the people
yearning to breathe free
and not worrying about the results,
that it is always right to stand for basic human rights
&
on the transformations since the beginning of January -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Oman,
Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, etc.

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,600+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Social and Economic Justice – v2

Christ in his ministry
turning the world around
its focus upside down
awaken our hopes, our desires
seeking justice instead

The first to be last
our riches in heaven,
not of the earth;
even in death,
we have new birth

All of us brothers and sisters
even our enemies, our neighbors
unconditional love, unmerited
living water flowing
freely given by God

Social and economic justice
all of us should be fed
free from oppression and dread
nothing in our silos, empty,
relying on God instead.

edited October 9, 2011
March 9, 2010
Faith In Action, March 5, 2010
Word from Winkler, “The sacred work of reconciliation”,
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society,
United Methodist Church
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5844085&ct=8061951&tr=y&auid=6027215
&
Matthew 26:57-68
I John 4:16b-21
Isaiah 58:6-9 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Those who condemned Jesus”
and sermon, “Condemned By the Righteous”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
the third in a series of sermons, based in part on the book,
“24 Hours That Changed the World”, by Reverend Adam Hamilton
http://thewell.cor.org/resurrection-resources/24-hours-that-changed-the-world.html
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 14, 2010
Fourth Sunday in Lent
&
October 8, 2011
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150827660505618&set=a.10150831905990618.729342.814330617&type=3&theater
parallels to the Arab Spring form of protest
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-wallstreet-protests-history-idUSTRE7964CY20111007
Wall Street protests
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/opinion/occupied-wall-street-seen-from-abroad.html
=====
March 17, 2011
calling on President Obama and the world
to act in the Middle East, especially in Libya and Bahrain,
to stand with the people
yearning to breathe free
and not worrying about the results,
that it is always right to stand for basic human rights
&
on the transformations since the beginning of January -
all the protests in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Oman,
Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, etc.

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,600+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Preventing Torture Everywhere

Dear NRCAT Supporters,

NRCAT is starting a campaign, called “Preventing Torture Everywhere,” to urge President Obama to sign a new treaty to help end torture. The treaty, called the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), requires participating nations to create mechanisms to prevent torture from occurring in detention centers, police stations, mental health hospitals, and prisons. It also permits international experts to inspect those facilities.
57 nations have ratified OPCAT and 22 additional nations have signed it. Unfortunately, the U.S. is not among them.
NRCAT is engaging in this effort for two reasons:
OPCAT could be very helpful in protecting prisoners in the U.S. from abuse, including the use of solitary confinement and the shackling of women prisoners during childbirth.
Ratifying OPCAT would enhance our government’s effectiveness and credibility in urging other countries to stop their use of torture and to ratify both the Convention Against Torture (the treaty prohibiting torture) and OPCAT.
Three requests from NRCAT:
1. Gather signatures in your congregation for NRCAT’s statement supporting OPCAT, a new treaty to prevent torture.
2. Show the video Preventing Torture Everywhere in your congregation.
3. Urge your congregation or religious organization to endorse the statement.


Go to www.nrcat.org/opcat


Now, at the beginning of this multi-year campaign, NRCAT asks its member organizations and its supporters to carry out three tasks:

Urge members of your congregation or religious organization to sign NRCAT’s statement supporting OPCAT. Use the petition version of the statement to collect the names. The names of everyone who signs the statement will be sent to the White House each year on Human Rights Day, December 10, until the President signs.

Enable your congregation and other congregations you know to show the video Preventing Torture Everywhere and to use our Discussion Guide to facilitate the discussion. The 10-minute video features four victims of torture; Juan Mendez, U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture; an attorney describing torture and abuse in U.S. prisons; and NRCAT leaders. It best lends itself to a small group discussion or an adult education setting. If your congregation has an adult class that meets weekly to address a variety of issues, you might consider suggesting a screening of the video. The video is available on DVD in our online store for $5.00 or for free download on our website.

Urge your congregation and the regional and national bodies of your faith group to endorse the statement. Once that endorsement is confirmed, please report the good news to NRCAT.

NRCAT has created a number of resources to help you do these tasks, including a statement signed by 51 heads of faith groups and other religious leaders, the 10-minute video with discussion guide, a petition version of the statement, and a variety of background materials. All are available at www.nrcat.org/opcat.

We will be working on this task for the long term. But even a long term task needs a beginning. Now is the time to start. If NRCAT staff can be helpful to you as you do this important work, please contact us at campaign@nrcat.org.

By the way, please endorse the statement yourself if you have not done so.

Thank you for all of your efforts to end torture.

Sincerely,

Linda Gustitus, President
Rev. Richard L. Killmer, Executive Director
National Religious Campaign Against Torture NRCAT


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

email of 10/28/2010 from NRCAT - regarding torture and the vote on Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Dear Friends:

When Scott Brown was elected to be a Senator from Massachusetts after publicly declaring his support for torture, we all thought it was an aberration. On Tuesday, November 2nd, however, we face the possibility of electing not just one, but many new supporters of torture to the U.S. Congress. This would be a catastrophe. YOU CAN help prevent it by going to the polls on Tuesday and casting your ballot for an anti-torture Congress.

Your vote alone, however, will not be enough. Please encourage your friends, family, neighbors, and members of your congregation to go the polls as well. Share with them the NRCAT Action Fund Congressional Vote Scorecard which rates all current Members of Congress with respect to their record on torture. Make sure that you check out our Voter Guides to see if we’ve produced one for your state or district. You can make a difference – together we can still elect an anti-torture Congress.

Thank you for your help – get out and vote to end torture!

Sincerely,
Matt Hawthorne
Policy Director


The National Religious Campaign Against Torture Action Fund engages in public policy advocacy and electoral campaign work. It is a partner organization of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture.

The NRCAT Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization, and any donations you make to this organization are not tax deductible. However, your financial support will make a big difference as we work together to end torture.

Questions? Please email campaign@nrcatactionfund.org


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,100+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Washed in the Waters

Under the waves
washed in the waters
our baptism joining us
with the Christ

Dying in the waters
rising with Him
walking with our savior
on the journey of our lives

His blood cleansing us
changing us utterly
washed in the waters
serving in the way of the cross

October 15, 2010
Blog Action Day 2010 – Water
http://blogactionday.change.org/
http://blogactionday.change.org/blogs/search?search_term=poetry&commit=Search
October 15, 2010

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.

The Water of His Blood

Like no other solvent
the water of His blood
washing away my stain
the shame of my sin

Christ’s death redeeming
washing me clean
brighter than human hands
the gift of His love

October 15, 2010
Blog Action Day 2010 – Water
http://blogactionday.change.org/
http://blogactionday.change.org/blogs/search?search_term=poetry&commit=Search
October 15, 2010

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,120+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Glass of Water

Something we take for granted
a simple glass of water
so many others
unable to drink

Nothing clean
often disease filled
a glass of water
only in their dreams

We need to bear witness
act on our beliefs
that all should have plenty
plenty to drink

A glass of water
shouldn’t be a struggle
a right to all the people
all the people on earth

October 15, 2010
Blog Action Day 2010 – Water
http://blogactionday.change.org/
http://blogactionday.change.org/blogs/search?search_term=poetry&commit=Search
October 15, 2010

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,120+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.