MORGAN'S MOMENT...
“Do you go to the car show
          every year?”
I felt a bit embarrassed…
          like maybe it’s awfully worldly
          to go to car shows.
I admitted that, yes…
          Paul and I have done the car show
          for maybe 30 years.
Those long ago new cars
          over which we lusted uselessly
          are now mostly rusting antiques.
Sales people push themselves
          but lose interest when I say
          I’ll buy when the car is 10 years old.
We used to wonder how people
          could justify a $5,000 car…
          now the number is $30,000.
We checked them all over
          then walked back to our 1997…
          our newest car for years.
You know our favorites…?
          at an oldies lot on the way 
          called “Memory Lane.”
The cars of our youthful dreams…
          restored to shining beauty
          from the ‘30’s and ‘40’s and ‘50’s.
I hoped we weren’t becoming foolish
          like those who sing 
          “Give Me the Old Time Religion.”
The old offers heart-stirring beauty
        that I like to look at
          but really don’t want to own.
— Art Morgan 
BOOK CORNER
    Our book club is currently discussing John Steinbeck’s, “The Moon is Down.” It’s a WWII story, widely read by occupied Europe. It inspired terrorist acts of resistance toward occupation forces. Its relevance to America’s various occupation activities, including Afghanistan, is immediately obvious.
     Our next read is Michael Pollen, “The Botany of Desire.”
     My personal current read includes Stephen King’s “On Writing,” and Ross King’s, “Brunelleschi’s Dome.” 
     Some of our reports on books can be found on our web page.
MOMENT MINISTRIES
February 4, 2002
home address:  25921 SW Airport Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97333   541-753-3942
email at  a-morgan@peak.org
 
MOMENT REPORT…
For those who plan ahead, the next “Moment Potluck” is February 21.
The Report from the January event is as follows:
We achieved a quorum of folks to observe a Martin Luther King Day event, with songs of the era and reports (by Art) of King’s speeches, including his assertion that the greatest threat to America is silence! It was then (by Christians and other moral leaders) as it is now. A good moment.
We did our Annual Meeting (an estimated 27 seconds) re-electing our present group (Art Morgan, Minister/President; Paul Pritchard, Minister/Vice-President; Linda Fire, Secretary; Mary Pritchard, Treasurer; Bill Gilbert, Webmaster/Director; Pat Newton, Director; Karen Peters, Director.
We complimented Lupe Maginnis for winning the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award.
We reported Lynn’s progress from McMurdo in Antarctica to New Zealand. He is to arrive in Eugene on February 6 !
Other REPORTS
     Morgan’s and Pritchard’s made a pastoral visit to the Lorenzen’s at Sun River. Tough duty.
     Blue sheet friends (Bill and Donna Fellinger) from Vermont are scheduled to check in at headquarters here in April.
     Another reader and dear friend from the 60’s, Joan Coover, died in Rancho Mirage, California. 
     Some asked about our grandchildren: Lauren Peters is at University of Oregon, Aram (Michael) Morgan is at Rogue Valley Community College, Kyle Peters and Andrew Conner are Juniors in HS, Grace is in Middle School, and Max is in 3rd grade at North Albany where his mom teaches.
     Numerous responses to the “Fundamentalist” column. Interesting.

(back page)

 
ENRON-ISM
          I was cruising along Bellfountain Road heading into town listening to a PBS report about alleged(?) political influence resulting from huge financial donations by Enron.
          The commentator gave the impression that she was shocked.
          I was shocked that she—or anyone—was shocked.
          Call it “economic determinism.”
          Call it “the American way.”
          Call it “Enron-ism.”
          I wished I had a place to pull off the road and write it down. “Enron-ism.” I liked the sound of it. A new description for an old, old reality.
          I heard a politician discuss the realities of political activity. “You bet money talks. Without money I don’t hold office. I have to listen to the money in order to be here to do the important things I believe in.”
          That reminded me of a minister I once knew who occupied the pulpit —isn’t that a strange way to talk, “occupy the pulpit”?—of a large church. He reported that his ministry in that church, and in fact the continuation of that church, depended on the financial support of one wealthy member. He made a point of keeping that man happy.
          Is there “Enron-ism” within the sacred walls?
          I began to think of other situations that were money-dependent. I heard recently of a church where a major contributor disagreed with her minister’s biblical understanding and pulled the plug on him, so to speak. In the trade we often called such people of influence, “weightier brethren.” In this case it was “weightier sistern.” “Enron-ism.”
          In Seminary, or someplace, I was warned that this sort of thing happened in churches. Individuals of major wealth could sway the towers, or bring them down. The preacher might be temped to adjust or moderate thinking to please the contributor(s). My practice was to stay away from the contribution reports. I never knew who gave what, and hoped that might keep me from being “Enron-ed.”
          One time, apparently, some folks in one church tried to get my attention by withholding contributions. The idea was that I was supposed to note their action and go find out why. I never showed up because I never even knew.
          I’m sure it’s human nature to pay attention to those who offer benefit to us. The Congress and other elected officials are not alone in this. Even wait persons are more likely to extend extra service to those known to give large tips.
          All this reminded me of one of my favorite Bible texts. I wonder whether I ever preached it? It’s found in the Phillip’s translation of the Book of Acts (8:20):
“To hell with you and your money!”
          Phillips added a footnote pointing out that no matter how other Bible versions translate the Greek, this is exactly what the original says.
          The words are credited to Peter, a founding Christian. He had a chance to collect some money from a man who thought he could buy anything, including the gifts of God. No “Enron-ism” for Peter.
          I’ve wandered a bit. I’m sure I had sharper ideas as I was driving along. I guess I just wanted to plant the “Enron-ism” idea. Once you see it anywhere you can see it everywhere. If we’re not careful the “government of the people, by the people, and for the people” turns into the government of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich. As Phillips translates Timothy (6:10)
          “Loving money leads to all kinds of evil.”
          Give us some politicians (and clergy) with the back bone of Peter to say:
“To hell with you and your money!”
          Away with Enron-ism!
— Art Morgan, February 1, 2002