Yesterday I again found myself in the sacred space of sitting with a dying woman. Death and I have sat together alot in the last eight weeks. Each time I am with a saint laboring toward peace there are themes that emerge. Some are looking for resolution, others are longing for reunion. There are often things they say that reveal the core of their being.
Over the last weeks of visiting this particular saint she has been most concerned that she has not been able to be in church to bring her offering envelopes.
She is a person of few means who literally puts a couple quarters in each envelope. She does not drive and had been dependent upon a ride to get to church
but whenever she came, there were enough envelopes for the number of weeks since the last time.
She would toddle in to "her" pew and would be there early. I always knew she was in church because the fluffy white wig that was outsized in proportion to the rest of her was usually the first thing that would catch my eye.
Over my time here as the pastor, I came to know that she had been married and then after her husband died, had found love again, but for an elderly woman on Social Security with no pension and an elderly veteran, marriage was unaffordable. It was hard enough.
I had visited and provided food, and fuel assistance. And communion and anointing.
I was told by many that the old vet was gruff and hard to like.
Little by little I learned that while the old veteran was still a curmudgeonly guy who was never going to come to church, but in his way he did what he could for her and for her faith life.
Even calling a few months ago to tell me she was pretty sick, and on a hot day I made the trek out.
She was in bed with a fan blowing, not dressed like church, but in pajamas and sans wig. But her three wigs were all resting on the dresser on their hairdresser heads. She was very worried about those envelopes of quarters and out of the corner of my eye I saw the old vet shaking his head "no." He did not share and I left wondering. But before I did, we had shared communion. He joined us and owned that it was the first time he had been offered communion in years. It changed things
In these last weeks, after trips back and forth between the hospital and the extended care facility, and the decision to simply provide palliative care, it has become clear. What she had been too proud to share was that she has an inoperable tumor. What is now taking her life is the onset of pneumonia and I watch each day as she becomes more and more a shell of her former physical self. Her jawline and collarbone more pronounced. Now the old vet and I have talked out in the hall about what is to come. Where it is clear that the reason he shakes his head "no" about those quarters is that with the cost of her care, there are no quarters.
And yet this has been her fixation.
As though as she ponders it all she worries that in the absence of being caught up with her offering the holy gates will be locked and she will be lost.
And so we collaborated in a holy fib.
It reminded me of years ago on the medical drama "House" where a woman had been driving her family in a car and made an error in driving that resulted in a terrible accident that took the lives of her husband and family. As she lay dying in a hospital bed a couple years later, still punishing herself for the accident, she was calling for her husband. The normally curmudgeonly doctor who had unearthed both her story and her husband's wedding band, put the ring on and held her hand. She stroked the hand with the wedding band, and a tear rolled down her face. She believed her husband was there and she could have peace. Though no one would consider a "House" character and holy in the same sentence, it was a holy fib.
So here the old vet and I found ourselves. Confronted with this fixation that left no peace. And in the face of the repeating theme of the offering envelopes we knowingly colluded. As she worried about the envelopes I assured her that he and I had taken care of things and everything was caught up. She looked at him and he nodded his head and assured her that was right. It took two times but she eventually accepted the holy fib and could lay to rest the issue of the envelopes. That was a couple days ago.
Yesterday when I came to sit with her the mere opening of eyes was a struggle as was speaking. I just sat and held her hand and offered a prayer. At the end of the prayer, she became very alert and very concerned.
Will God REALLY take care of me?
I need to confess because I have done things wrong
Will I be in trouble?
She was not able to speak about what the wrong things might be about
But it was kind of like the back story of what the envelopes represented-
what if I am not "caught up" with God?
I spoke God's forgiveness and reminded her of God's promises
for her
God's love
for her
and made the sign of the cross on her forehead to remind her
this is how much God loves you
God is here with you
and will be there to greet you where you are going
Replacing the holy fib with words of holy truth
She looked up at the ceiling and said
God if you love me just take me
take away this pain
My prayer for her is that this indeed what happens for her soon
Rest in God's everlasting arms
I held her hand til she fell asleep and hope perhaps there will soon be a good and peaceful transition to the world where there is no catching up to do.
About Me
- Law+Gospel
- I'm a proud 2011 graduate of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and the Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church continuing the journey that God has planned. This is where I somewhat regularly contemplate the intersection of faith and the real world, and the tension between law and the Gospel. I am blessed with a wonderful husband, two Lutheran Chicks and Toby, our beagle/pointer mix! And now for the legal lingo:Views expressed here are mine alone, and do not represent the ELCA, LTSG, or any ministry context in which I serve or to which I belong. The names in my stories have been changed to protect the innocent, as have key facts. If the story sounds familiar perhaps it is because life experiences can be universal.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
So here is what it takes to vote
Since Alex does not have satisfactory photo ID issued by a government agency or government employer and is not attending a PA state University, she must have the right birth certificate and a valid passport to now obtain a PA non-driver ID so she can vote. Here is what it takes. Only once she has these forms can she have ID to vote. She cannot even request her own birth certificate. This also means that until we have the right documents she cannot drive.
Oh yeah and no one told her about this whole other process because it was not operable in August.
And this is not the PennDOT employees fault- they were just doing what they were told.
She can register to vote in Ohio where she is in college which however does nothing for her status in Pennsylvania.
See below:
Obtaining a Free PennDOT Secure ID for Voting Purposes
New Department of State Voter ID
All forms and publications related to obtaining an ID for voting purposes are now available or will be available shortly in the following languages; Arabic (العربية), Chinese (中文), French (Français), Hindi (हिंदी), Khmer ( ), Korean (한국어), Russian (Русский), Spanish (Español), Ukrainian (Украинский) and Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt). Please check back periodically; as forms are translated they will be posted to PennDOT's website.
For a Secure Pennsylvania Photo ID
If a voter does not POSSESS PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION FOR VOTING PURPOSES as defined at section 102(z.5)(2) of the Pennsylvania Election Code (25 P.S. § 2602(z.5)(2)) and requires proof of identification for voting purposes, the following applies:
You must declare under oath or affirmation by completing the Oath/ Affirmation Voter ID form that you do not possess any of the following forms of identification: In particular,
-Identification issued by the United States Government that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.*
- Identification issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired (unless issued by the Department of Transportation, then the expiration of the identification cannot be more than 12 months past the expiration date).
- Identification issued by a municipality of this Commonwealth to an employee of that municipality that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.
- Identification issued by an accredited Pennsylvania public or private institution of higher learning that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.
- Identification issued by a Pennsylvania care facility that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.
*In the case of a document from an agency of the armed forces of the United States or their reserve components, including the Pennsylvania National Guard, that establishes the voter as a current member or a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard and that does not designate a specific date on which the document expires, the document must include a notation indicating that the expiration is indefinite.
$13.50 fee for acquiring an Identification Card will be waived for individuals completing the Oath/ Affirmation Voter ID form. All identification documentation is still required to obtain an Identification Card as follows:
Step1
To obtain a Pennsylvania Photo Identification card for voting purposes, an individual needs to visit a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver License Center with a completed Application for an Initial Photo Identification Card; form DL-54A, and the following:
Social Security Card
AND
One of the following:
• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
• Certificate of Naturalization
• *Birth Certificate with a raised seal
PLUS
• Two proofs of **residency such as lease agreements, current utility bills, mortgage documents, W-2 form, tax records
*If they do not have a birth certificate with a raised seal and are a Pennsylvania native; and do not have one of the acceptable, alternative forms of photo identification to vote; and will provide a signed oath/affirmation form, when visiting the PennDOT driver license center, they must:
• Tell the PennDOT customer service representative they are a Pennsylvania native who needs a photo ID for voting purposes, and do not have a certified copy of their birth certificate;
• Sign an oath/affirmation that they do not have an acceptable form of ID for voting purposes and the photo ID is needed for voting purposes;
• Show a Social Security card and two proofs of residence, such as a deed, lease, tax bill, or utility bill;
• Fill out a DL-54A form requesting a non-driver photo ID and;
• Complete the HD01564F (Request for Certification of Birth Record for Voter ID Purposes Only) form, which collects information such as birth name, mother and father's name and place of birth. This Department of Health form is available at all Driver Licensing Centers.
PennDOT will then forward the completed form to the Department of Health, which maintains birth records. After verifying the birth record is on file, the Department of Health will securely transmit this information to PennDOT. PennDOT will then notify them by letter that their birth record has been confirmed. They may then return to any driver license center, with the above noted documentation, to receive your free photo ID for voting purposes. This verification process will take up to ten days and does not require the payment of a fee.
**Students at least 18 years of age: Accepted proofs of residency include the room assignment paperwork (considered a lease) and one bill with their dorm room address on it. Bank statements, paystubs and credit card bills are all acceptable. Other Individuals who may not have any bills, leases or mortgage documents in their name may bring the person with whom they are living along with their Driver�s License or Photo ID to a driver license center as one proof of residence. Homeless individuals can use the address of a shelter as their residence provided they visit a Driver's License Center with an employee from the shelter that has an employee photo identification issued by the shelter and a letter on the shelter's letterhead indicating that the homeless individual stays at the shelter.
Step 2
When their application and supporting documentation have been reviewed and processed, a Driver License Center staff member will direct the applicant to the Photo Center to have their photo taken for their Photo ID card.
Step 3
Once their photo has been taken, they will be issued a Photo ID card.
So you just want to get a better birth certificate? No problem:
HOW TO GET A PENNSYLVANIA BIRTH CERTIFICATE
From Pennsylvania Department of Health Website
www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health
An applicant must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply for a certified copy
of his/her birth record or the record of an immediate family member. The Division of
Vital Records issues only certified copies of birth with the raised seal that are acceptable for numerous uses, i.e. passport, Social Security, employment, and personal identification. Records are available for births from 1906 to the present.
Eligible Persons Who May Request a Birth Record
• Person named on the birth record
• Legal representative
• Immediate family members (husband; wife; parent/step-parent; brother/sister/half
brother/half sister; son or daughter; stepson/stepdaughter; grandparent/great
grandparent (specify maternal or paternal); grandchild/great grandchild). If the
person named on the birth record is deceased, a family member who is not an
"immediate family member" must submit a copy of the death certificate to be eligible
to receive the birth record. A step-parent or step-child is required to submit
additional documentation supporting their relationship.
• Power of Attorney: If you have been granted Power of Attorney (POA) for the
person named on the record, it will be necessary to submit a notarized POA
document that contains the original signatures of the parties involved, including the
original notary's signature and seal. If you do not wish to send the original POA, you
may file the original notarized POA with the Clerk of Orphans' Court division of the
Court of Common Pleas (usually in the county where the person granting the power
of attorney resides) to obtain a certified copy of this document issued by the court.
You may then submit the certified copy of the POA document that includes the seal
of the court, to our office to process your request. We will return this document to
you upon completion of your request. If you cannot comply with these instructions,
an eligible requestor is required to apply for this record.
Information Required
• Full name at birth of person named on the birth record (if name has changed since
birth due to adoption, court order, or any other reason other than marriage, include
changed name)
• Date of birth
• City and county of birth
• Gender of person named on birth record
• Parents' names, including mother’s maiden name
• Relationship to the person
• Reason for the request (if applicable, include specific information, such as name of
foreign country for which certified copy is needed, etc.)
• Applicant's signature
• Applicant's daytime telephone number, including area code
• Applicant's mailing address
Cost
• $10.00 fee per copy (Please do not send cash. Make check or money order payable
to "Vital Records.")
• This fee may be waived for individuals who served or are currently serving in
the Armed Forces and their dependents.
Online Requests can be made at this website:
http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?a=168&Q=202184
Obtaining Certified Copies of Birth Records by Mail Request
• Mail requests are processed in approximately three weeks from the date of receipt.
• Include $10.00 fee per copy. Please do not send cash. Make check or money order
payable to “Vital Records." This fee will be waived for individuals who served or are
currently serving in the Armed Forces and their dependents. Refer to application
form for more information.
• The individual requesting the record must submit a legible copy of his or her valid
government issued photo identification. Examples of acceptable identification are a
state issued driver's license or non-driver photo ID that verifies the eligible
requestor's name and current address. If possible, enlarge photo ID on copier by
at least 150%. Photo identification will be shredded after review.
• If you do not have acceptable photo identification, it may be necessary for an
eligible requestor possessing government issued photo ID to apply for the
certified copy of this birth record in your behalf. Eligible requestors must be 18
years of age or older and includes the spouse, parent, grandparent, child,
grandchild, or sibling of the individual whose birth record is being requested. If an
eligible requestor is unable to apply for this record in your behalf, you may complete
and submit a Statement from Requestors Not Possessing Acceptable
Government-Issued Photo ID with two documents verifying your current address.
• If you have been granted Power of Attorney (POA) for the person named on the
record, submit a notarized POA document that contains the original signatures of
the parties involved, including the original notary's signature and seal. If you do not
wish to send the original POA, you may file the original notarized POA with the Clerk
of Orphans' Court division of the Court of Common Pleas (usually in the county
where the person granting the power of attorney resides) to obtain a certified copy of
this document issued by the court. You may then submit the certified copy of the
POA document that includes the seal of the court, to our office to process your
request. We will return this document to you upon completion of your request. If
you cannot comply with these instructions, an eligible requestor is required to apply
for this record.
• The individual requesting the record must mail the completed application form(s)with
a copy of his or her photo identification, payment, and self-addressed stamped
envelope to:
Division of Vital Records
101 South Mercer Street, Room 401
PO Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16101
• All requests must be submitted on an application form and include the signature and
photo ID of the individual requesting the record. To download the application form
for mail requests right click and "Save Target As..." this file to your desktop then
open the file from your desktop by double clicking on it.
Obtaining Certified Copies of Birth Records in Person
You may apply in person at one of the six public offices:
Erie
Division of Vital Records
Erie Branch Office
1910 West 26th Street
Erie, PA 16508-1148
(814) 871-4261
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State
holidays.
Harrisburg
Division of Vital Records
Room 129, Health & Welfare Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0012
(717) 772-3480
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State
holidays.
New Castle
Division of Vital Records
Room 401, Central Building
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16101
1-877-PA-HEALTH or
(724) 656-3100
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State
holidays.
Philadelphia
Division of Vital Records
110 North 8th Street; Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412
(215) 560-3054
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding State
holidays.
Pittsburgh
Division of Vital Records
Room 512, Pittsburgh State Office Building
300 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1210
(412) 565-5113
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State
holidays.
Scranton
Division of Vital Records
Room 112, Scranton State Office Building
100 Lackawanna Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503-1928
(570) 963-4595
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State
holidays.
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/voter_id/20978
*In conjunction with Act 18 of 2012, Pennsylvania citizens may request a birth certificate for Voter ID. The certificate will be issued free of charge to those individuals without proper ID that will allow them to vote. The free birth certificate will include a stamp indicating that it is only to be used to obtain identification relevant to voter ID and is not valid for any other purpose.
• If you do not have acceptable photo identification, an eligible requestor possessing government issued photo ID may apply . If an eligible requestor is unable to apply, you may submit a completed Statement from Requestors Not Possessing Acceptable Government-Issued Photo ID with two documents verifying your current address.
Statement from Requestors Not Possessing an Acceptable Government Issued Photo-ID
If you are unable to meet our photo ID requirements, we suggest that an eligible family member submit a request for this record. It will be necessary for the eligible family member to complete and return the enclosed application form with a legible copy of his/her government issued photo-ID. A birth record can be requested by a spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, or grandchild. A death record can be requested by any family member of the person who died. If it is not possible for an eligible family member to apply for a certified copy of this record, you may complete the form below and return it with photocopies of two documents that include your name and current address. Examples of acceptable documents are noted below. Please allow sufficient processing time for review and approval of these documents.
***************************************************************************************I declare that I do not have a government issued photo-ID and that I am presenting the attached two documents, including my name and current address, as proof of identification in order to process my application for a certified copy of birth or death record. (Note: Acceptable documents are a utility bill, car registration, pay stub, bank statement, copy of income tax return/W-2 form, or lease/rental agreement. If your mailing address is a P.O. Box, one of the documents submitted must reflect that you have used the P.O. Box for at least two months.) Submit photocopies, as this documentation will be shredded after review.
By my signature below, I state I am the person whom I represent myself to be herein, and I affirm the information within this form is complete and accurate and made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. §4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. In addition, I acknowledge that misstating my identity or assuming the identity of another person may subject me to misdemeanor or felony criminal penalties for identity theft pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. §4120 or other sections of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.
Signature of Applicant (Person Making Request)
Date of Signature
Please PRINT the following information:
Name of Applicant
Residence Address:
If PO Box, one document must reflect that you have utilized the P.O. Box for at least two months.
City:
State:
Zip:
Full Name on Birth/Death Record Being Requested
Official Use Only Below This Line
Clerk’s Initials:
Date:
For Use of DVR Staff Only: Please check the two documents presented, which verify the name and current address of the requestor from the list below, and attach photocopies of both documents. Utility bills Bank statement Car registration Pay stubs Income tax return/W-2 Lease/rental agreement Other – Description: Approving Clerk’s Initials
Division of Vital Records
101 S. Mercer Street, P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103-1528
www.health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords
Order Online
• The fee for each certified copy of birth is $10.00. An additional $10.00 service fee per each application will be charged to your credit card.
• The birth record(s) or a response to your request will automatically be shipped by UPS Air unless you select regular mail delivery for the Shipping Option. If you do not change the Shipping Option to regular mail, the UPS Air delivery fee will be charged to the credit card used for ordering the certificate. A signature is required for UPS delivery.
• Typical processing time for certified copies of birth certificates with a date of birth of 1968 to the present is ten to fifteen business days (from the date the order is received) which does not include delivery time. For certified copies of birth with a date of birth of prior to 1968, please allow an additional ten to fifteen days for processing time, excluding delivery time.
• The status of a request cannot be verified unless it has been a minimum of two business days from the date request has been submitted.
So how does a university student now in Ohio comply when she did everything right in relying upon her birth certificate?
Oh yeah and no one told her about this whole other process because it was not operable in August.
And this is not the PennDOT employees fault- they were just doing what they were told.
She can register to vote in Ohio where she is in college which however does nothing for her status in Pennsylvania.
See below:
Obtaining a Free PennDOT Secure ID for Voting Purposes
New Department of State Voter ID
All forms and publications related to obtaining an ID for voting purposes are now available or will be available shortly in the following languages; Arabic (العربية), Chinese (中文), French (Français), Hindi (हिंदी), Khmer ( ), Korean (한국어), Russian (Русский), Spanish (Español), Ukrainian (Украинский) and Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt). Please check back periodically; as forms are translated they will be posted to PennDOT's website.
For a Secure Pennsylvania Photo ID
If a voter does not POSSESS PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION FOR VOTING PURPOSES as defined at section 102(z.5)(2) of the Pennsylvania Election Code (25 P.S. § 2602(z.5)(2)) and requires proof of identification for voting purposes, the following applies:
You must declare under oath or affirmation by completing the Oath/ Affirmation Voter ID form that you do not possess any of the following forms of identification: In particular,
-Identification issued by the United States Government that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.*
- Identification issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired (unless issued by the Department of Transportation, then the expiration of the identification cannot be more than 12 months past the expiration date).
- Identification issued by a municipality of this Commonwealth to an employee of that municipality that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.
- Identification issued by an accredited Pennsylvania public or private institution of higher learning that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.
- Identification issued by a Pennsylvania care facility that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.
*In the case of a document from an agency of the armed forces of the United States or their reserve components, including the Pennsylvania National Guard, that establishes the voter as a current member or a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard and that does not designate a specific date on which the document expires, the document must include a notation indicating that the expiration is indefinite.
$13.50 fee for acquiring an Identification Card will be waived for individuals completing the Oath/ Affirmation Voter ID form. All identification documentation is still required to obtain an Identification Card as follows:
Step1
To obtain a Pennsylvania Photo Identification card for voting purposes, an individual needs to visit a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver License Center with a completed Application for an Initial Photo Identification Card; form DL-54A, and the following:
Social Security Card
AND
One of the following:
• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
• Certificate of Naturalization
• *Birth Certificate with a raised seal
PLUS
• Two proofs of **residency such as lease agreements, current utility bills, mortgage documents, W-2 form, tax records
*If they do not have a birth certificate with a raised seal and are a Pennsylvania native; and do not have one of the acceptable, alternative forms of photo identification to vote; and will provide a signed oath/affirmation form, when visiting the PennDOT driver license center, they must:
• Tell the PennDOT customer service representative they are a Pennsylvania native who needs a photo ID for voting purposes, and do not have a certified copy of their birth certificate;
• Sign an oath/affirmation that they do not have an acceptable form of ID for voting purposes and the photo ID is needed for voting purposes;
• Show a Social Security card and two proofs of residence, such as a deed, lease, tax bill, or utility bill;
• Fill out a DL-54A form requesting a non-driver photo ID and;
• Complete the HD01564F (Request for Certification of Birth Record for Voter ID Purposes Only) form, which collects information such as birth name, mother and father's name and place of birth. This Department of Health form is available at all Driver Licensing Centers.
PennDOT will then forward the completed form to the Department of Health, which maintains birth records. After verifying the birth record is on file, the Department of Health will securely transmit this information to PennDOT. PennDOT will then notify them by letter that their birth record has been confirmed. They may then return to any driver license center, with the above noted documentation, to receive your free photo ID for voting purposes. This verification process will take up to ten days and does not require the payment of a fee.
**Students at least 18 years of age: Accepted proofs of residency include the room assignment paperwork (considered a lease) and one bill with their dorm room address on it. Bank statements, paystubs and credit card bills are all acceptable. Other Individuals who may not have any bills, leases or mortgage documents in their name may bring the person with whom they are living along with their Driver�s License or Photo ID to a driver license center as one proof of residence. Homeless individuals can use the address of a shelter as their residence provided they visit a Driver's License Center with an employee from the shelter that has an employee photo identification issued by the shelter and a letter on the shelter's letterhead indicating that the homeless individual stays at the shelter.
Step 2
When their application and supporting documentation have been reviewed and processed, a Driver License Center staff member will direct the applicant to the Photo Center to have their photo taken for their Photo ID card.
Step 3
Once their photo has been taken, they will be issued a Photo ID card.
So you just want to get a better birth certificate? No problem:
HOW TO GET A PENNSYLVANIA BIRTH CERTIFICATE
From Pennsylvania Department of Health Website
www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health
An applicant must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply for a certified copy
of his/her birth record or the record of an immediate family member. The Division of
Vital Records issues only certified copies of birth with the raised seal that are acceptable for numerous uses, i.e. passport, Social Security, employment, and personal identification. Records are available for births from 1906 to the present.
Eligible Persons Who May Request a Birth Record
• Person named on the birth record
• Legal representative
• Immediate family members (husband; wife; parent/step-parent; brother/sister/half
brother/half sister; son or daughter; stepson/stepdaughter; grandparent/great
grandparent (specify maternal or paternal); grandchild/great grandchild). If the
person named on the birth record is deceased, a family member who is not an
"immediate family member" must submit a copy of the death certificate to be eligible
to receive the birth record. A step-parent or step-child is required to submit
additional documentation supporting their relationship.
• Power of Attorney: If you have been granted Power of Attorney (POA) for the
person named on the record, it will be necessary to submit a notarized POA
document that contains the original signatures of the parties involved, including the
original notary's signature and seal. If you do not wish to send the original POA, you
may file the original notarized POA with the Clerk of Orphans' Court division of the
Court of Common Pleas (usually in the county where the person granting the power
of attorney resides) to obtain a certified copy of this document issued by the court.
You may then submit the certified copy of the POA document that includes the seal
of the court, to our office to process your request. We will return this document to
you upon completion of your request. If you cannot comply with these instructions,
an eligible requestor is required to apply for this record.
Information Required
• Full name at birth of person named on the birth record (if name has changed since
birth due to adoption, court order, or any other reason other than marriage, include
changed name)
• Date of birth
• City and county of birth
• Gender of person named on birth record
• Parents' names, including mother’s maiden name
• Relationship to the person
• Reason for the request (if applicable, include specific information, such as name of
foreign country for which certified copy is needed, etc.)
• Applicant's signature
• Applicant's daytime telephone number, including area code
• Applicant's mailing address
Cost
• $10.00 fee per copy (Please do not send cash. Make check or money order payable
to "Vital Records.")
• This fee may be waived for individuals who served or are currently serving in
the Armed Forces and their dependents.
Online Requests can be made at this website:
http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?a=168&Q=202184
Obtaining Certified Copies of Birth Records by Mail Request
• Mail requests are processed in approximately three weeks from the date of receipt.
• Include $10.00 fee per copy. Please do not send cash. Make check or money order
payable to “Vital Records." This fee will be waived for individuals who served or are
currently serving in the Armed Forces and their dependents. Refer to application
form for more information.
• The individual requesting the record must submit a legible copy of his or her valid
government issued photo identification. Examples of acceptable identification are a
state issued driver's license or non-driver photo ID that verifies the eligible
requestor's name and current address. If possible, enlarge photo ID on copier by
at least 150%. Photo identification will be shredded after review.
• If you do not have acceptable photo identification, it may be necessary for an
eligible requestor possessing government issued photo ID to apply for the
certified copy of this birth record in your behalf. Eligible requestors must be 18
years of age or older and includes the spouse, parent, grandparent, child,
grandchild, or sibling of the individual whose birth record is being requested. If an
eligible requestor is unable to apply for this record in your behalf, you may complete
and submit a Statement from Requestors Not Possessing Acceptable
Government-Issued Photo ID with two documents verifying your current address.
• If you have been granted Power of Attorney (POA) for the person named on the
record, submit a notarized POA document that contains the original signatures of
the parties involved, including the original notary's signature and seal. If you do not
wish to send the original POA, you may file the original notarized POA with the Clerk
of Orphans' Court division of the Court of Common Pleas (usually in the county
where the person granting the power of attorney resides) to obtain a certified copy of
this document issued by the court. You may then submit the certified copy of the
POA document that includes the seal of the court, to our office to process your
request. We will return this document to you upon completion of your request. If
you cannot comply with these instructions, an eligible requestor is required to apply
for this record.
• The individual requesting the record must mail the completed application form(s)with
a copy of his or her photo identification, payment, and self-addressed stamped
envelope to:
Division of Vital Records
101 South Mercer Street, Room 401
PO Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16101
• All requests must be submitted on an application form and include the signature and
photo ID of the individual requesting the record. To download the application form
for mail requests right click and "Save Target As..." this file to your desktop then
open the file from your desktop by double clicking on it.
Obtaining Certified Copies of Birth Records in Person
You may apply in person at one of the six public offices:
Erie
Division of Vital Records
Erie Branch Office
1910 West 26th Street
Erie, PA 16508-1148
(814) 871-4261
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State
holidays.
Harrisburg
Division of Vital Records
Room 129, Health & Welfare Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0012
(717) 772-3480
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State
holidays.
New Castle
Division of Vital Records
Room 401, Central Building
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16101
1-877-PA-HEALTH or
(724) 656-3100
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State
holidays.
Philadelphia
Division of Vital Records
110 North 8th Street; Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412
(215) 560-3054
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding State
holidays.
Pittsburgh
Division of Vital Records
Room 512, Pittsburgh State Office Building
300 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1210
(412) 565-5113
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State
holidays.
Scranton
Division of Vital Records
Room 112, Scranton State Office Building
100 Lackawanna Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503-1928
(570) 963-4595
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State
holidays.
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/voter_id/20978
*In conjunction with Act 18 of 2012, Pennsylvania citizens may request a birth certificate for Voter ID. The certificate will be issued free of charge to those individuals without proper ID that will allow them to vote. The free birth certificate will include a stamp indicating that it is only to be used to obtain identification relevant to voter ID and is not valid for any other purpose.
• If you do not have acceptable photo identification, an eligible requestor possessing government issued photo ID may apply . If an eligible requestor is unable to apply, you may submit a completed Statement from Requestors Not Possessing Acceptable Government-Issued Photo ID with two documents verifying your current address.
Statement from Requestors Not Possessing an Acceptable Government Issued Photo-ID
If you are unable to meet our photo ID requirements, we suggest that an eligible family member submit a request for this record. It will be necessary for the eligible family member to complete and return the enclosed application form with a legible copy of his/her government issued photo-ID. A birth record can be requested by a spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, or grandchild. A death record can be requested by any family member of the person who died. If it is not possible for an eligible family member to apply for a certified copy of this record, you may complete the form below and return it with photocopies of two documents that include your name and current address. Examples of acceptable documents are noted below. Please allow sufficient processing time for review and approval of these documents.
***************************************************************************************I declare that I do not have a government issued photo-ID and that I am presenting the attached two documents, including my name and current address, as proof of identification in order to process my application for a certified copy of birth or death record. (Note: Acceptable documents are a utility bill, car registration, pay stub, bank statement, copy of income tax return/W-2 form, or lease/rental agreement. If your mailing address is a P.O. Box, one of the documents submitted must reflect that you have used the P.O. Box for at least two months.) Submit photocopies, as this documentation will be shredded after review.
By my signature below, I state I am the person whom I represent myself to be herein, and I affirm the information within this form is complete and accurate and made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. §4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. In addition, I acknowledge that misstating my identity or assuming the identity of another person may subject me to misdemeanor or felony criminal penalties for identity theft pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. §4120 or other sections of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.
Signature of Applicant (Person Making Request)
Date of Signature
Please PRINT the following information:
Name of Applicant
Residence Address:
If PO Box, one document must reflect that you have utilized the P.O. Box for at least two months.
City:
State:
Zip:
Full Name on Birth/Death Record Being Requested
Official Use Only Below This Line
Clerk’s Initials:
Date:
For Use of DVR Staff Only: Please check the two documents presented, which verify the name and current address of the requestor from the list below, and attach photocopies of both documents. Utility bills Bank statement Car registration Pay stubs Income tax return/W-2 Lease/rental agreement Other – Description: Approving Clerk’s Initials
Division of Vital Records
101 S. Mercer Street, P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103-1528
www.health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords
Order Online
• The fee for each certified copy of birth is $10.00. An additional $10.00 service fee per each application will be charged to your credit card.
• The birth record(s) or a response to your request will automatically be shipped by UPS Air unless you select regular mail delivery for the Shipping Option. If you do not change the Shipping Option to regular mail, the UPS Air delivery fee will be charged to the credit card used for ordering the certificate. A signature is required for UPS delivery.
• Typical processing time for certified copies of birth certificates with a date of birth of 1968 to the present is ten to fifteen business days (from the date the order is received) which does not include delivery time. For certified copies of birth with a date of birth of prior to 1968, please allow an additional ten to fifteen days for processing time, excluding delivery time.
• The status of a request cannot be verified unless it has been a minimum of two business days from the date request has been submitted.
So how does a university student now in Ohio comply when she did everything right in relying upon her birth certificate?
A Year into This Journey
A year ago, “According to apostolic usage I was entrusted with the office of word and sacrament in the one holy catholic church by the laying on of hands and by prayer.”
Surrounded by the Word of God:
Jesus said to his disciples, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20:21-23)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
“I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
And then words I hear with deeper richness now- Hear the words of the apostles:
The words of those who have gone out and dared to attempt such ministry-
Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called. (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son. (Acts 20:28)
Tend the flock of God that is in your charge, not under compulsion but willingly, not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. (1 Peter 5:2-4)
Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. (1 Cor. 4:1-2)
All those questions:
Will you be diligent? Will you pray? Will you be faithful? Will you lead? Will you nourish?
Will you make God’s love known?
Questions that in part that day were too ponderous to consider as my tiny “I will and I ask God to help and guide me” issued forth.
Care for God's people, bear their burdens,and do not betray their confidence.
So discipline yourself in life and teaching that you preserve the truth,
giving no occasion for false security or illusory hope.
Witness faithfully in word and deed to all people.
Give and receive comfort as you serve within the church.
But also..
And be of good courage, for God has called you,
and your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
And we prayed that God, through Jesus Christ, would pour out the Holy Spirit, fill me with the gifts of grace for the ministry of word and sacrament. Bless my proclamation of God’s word and administration of God’s holy signs, so that God’s church may be gathered for praise and strengthened for service.
We prayed God would make me a faithful pastor, patient teacher, and wise counselor. That the people
Would be renewed and God’s name be glorified. Then the enormity of the laying on of hands. Hands of people I had known for a long time and people I had known for a couple weeks.
Thomas Tallis in Spem in Alium writes- “ I have never put my hope in any other but you.”
and the music he wrote is so joyful and peaceful.
I wish I could say that every day I achieved those words or was in fact the person we all prayed I could be in all respects.
And yet there are two days in the past year where I glimpsed it as clear as day and it was true.
The first was one of God's peace in utter chaos
The day that I encountered a drug addict who had broken into the church office and who I encountered on third floor of the building where I was all alone and where he was angry. He had grown up for many years in the church and had been allowed to store things there and to come and go, but over my months there he had also stolen things from my desk, used the church computer to look at inappropriate things and without permission, had pilfered our mail. He had taken the locks off of windows. After many efforts to monitor his access, I had forbidden his presence unless I was there. But this had been related to him as simply-“it’s because of the pastor you cannot be here” or “I shouldn’t let you in here because if the pastor finds out she will be mad.” So on his last unmonitored visit to the building he rigged an access point which had allowed him to be on the 3rd floor of our office which is an old house. I had come upstairs to look for supplies for our afterschool program and suddenly realized I was not alone. There in a chair sat this man. Who was none too happy to see me. When I suggested it was time to go he got agitated and began to reach into a backpack for something. Everything that happened after that that led him to stand up and decide to simply leave was surreal. Though my heart felt like it would beat right out of my chest the words I heard myself speaking were authoritative but calm and I had this sense that in the midst of what could have ended very badly, it would be OK because it wasn’t me doing this. It’s the closest I can imagine to what the Israelites felt like walking between the walls of the water of the parted Sea.
That day I wasn’t putting hope in anything but God.
But before that was the other day when it was as clear as day- joy in the midst of the utter unknown. The day of my ordination. The day when as all of those words about taking on word and sacrament ministry are piling up, the transcendent swirl of the power of the Spirit was palpable. And while I knew that day I was about to move and buy a house and immerse myself in an entirely unknown sea, that by the grace of God and trusting in that power, the response was “yes.” Since then there have been days when I have found myself in places I never imagined, both beautiful and heartbreaking, but as I have again this day pondered what it means to dare to serve God and the people, I pause and grasp that saying “I will and I ask God to help and guide me” is not just a set of words but is about placing my hopes for myself, personally and in ministry, for the people and for the world, all in the hands of God because there is none other.
And the journey continues- Soli Deo Gloria!
Surrounded by the Word of God:
Jesus said to his disciples, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20:21-23)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
“I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
And then words I hear with deeper richness now- Hear the words of the apostles:
The words of those who have gone out and dared to attempt such ministry-
Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called. (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son. (Acts 20:28)
Tend the flock of God that is in your charge, not under compulsion but willingly, not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. (1 Peter 5:2-4)
Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. (1 Cor. 4:1-2)
All those questions:
Will you be diligent? Will you pray? Will you be faithful? Will you lead? Will you nourish?
Will you make God’s love known?
Questions that in part that day were too ponderous to consider as my tiny “I will and I ask God to help and guide me” issued forth.
Care for God's people, bear their burdens,and do not betray their confidence.
So discipline yourself in life and teaching that you preserve the truth,
giving no occasion for false security or illusory hope.
Witness faithfully in word and deed to all people.
Give and receive comfort as you serve within the church.
But also..
And be of good courage, for God has called you,
and your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
And we prayed that God, through Jesus Christ, would pour out the Holy Spirit, fill me with the gifts of grace for the ministry of word and sacrament. Bless my proclamation of God’s word and administration of God’s holy signs, so that God’s church may be gathered for praise and strengthened for service.
We prayed God would make me a faithful pastor, patient teacher, and wise counselor. That the people
Would be renewed and God’s name be glorified. Then the enormity of the laying on of hands. Hands of people I had known for a long time and people I had known for a couple weeks.
Thomas Tallis in Spem in Alium writes- “ I have never put my hope in any other but you.”
and the music he wrote is so joyful and peaceful.
I wish I could say that every day I achieved those words or was in fact the person we all prayed I could be in all respects.
And yet there are two days in the past year where I glimpsed it as clear as day and it was true.
The first was one of God's peace in utter chaos
The day that I encountered a drug addict who had broken into the church office and who I encountered on third floor of the building where I was all alone and where he was angry. He had grown up for many years in the church and had been allowed to store things there and to come and go, but over my months there he had also stolen things from my desk, used the church computer to look at inappropriate things and without permission, had pilfered our mail. He had taken the locks off of windows. After many efforts to monitor his access, I had forbidden his presence unless I was there. But this had been related to him as simply-“it’s because of the pastor you cannot be here” or “I shouldn’t let you in here because if the pastor finds out she will be mad.” So on his last unmonitored visit to the building he rigged an access point which had allowed him to be on the 3rd floor of our office which is an old house. I had come upstairs to look for supplies for our afterschool program and suddenly realized I was not alone. There in a chair sat this man. Who was none too happy to see me. When I suggested it was time to go he got agitated and began to reach into a backpack for something. Everything that happened after that that led him to stand up and decide to simply leave was surreal. Though my heart felt like it would beat right out of my chest the words I heard myself speaking were authoritative but calm and I had this sense that in the midst of what could have ended very badly, it would be OK because it wasn’t me doing this. It’s the closest I can imagine to what the Israelites felt like walking between the walls of the water of the parted Sea.
That day I wasn’t putting hope in anything but God.
But before that was the other day when it was as clear as day- joy in the midst of the utter unknown. The day of my ordination. The day when as all of those words about taking on word and sacrament ministry are piling up, the transcendent swirl of the power of the Spirit was palpable. And while I knew that day I was about to move and buy a house and immerse myself in an entirely unknown sea, that by the grace of God and trusting in that power, the response was “yes.” Since then there have been days when I have found myself in places I never imagined, both beautiful and heartbreaking, but as I have again this day pondered what it means to dare to serve God and the people, I pause and grasp that saying “I will and I ask God to help and guide me” is not just a set of words but is about placing my hopes for myself, personally and in ministry, for the people and for the world, all in the hands of God because there is none other.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
The Voter ID Ruse
I tend to not use this space to focus upon the political but recently the Pennsylvania legislature found its way into the voter fraud ruse, enacting a law whose stated purpose is combatting voter fraud which is actually statistically not a threat in our state. Aside from the crass comments made about how this law will throw the state in favor of Republicans in this election cycle, the more practical consideration is how to respond to the self-assured statement that "anyone who is legitimate will have no trouble obtaining ID or already has it." This is patently false.
The case in point is my own recently turned 18 daughter. She is the child with the September 11th birthday. She was born in and only lived in one town in one county in Pennsylvania. She is the biological child of two United States citizens and has only ever had one birth certificate, the one that came in the mail a couple weeks after she was born. She has obtained a US Passport and has traveled abroad with People to People Student Ambassadors. She is an honors scholar at a church related university. She has only ever worked at a church camp where she has not been issued an ID because you do not need one. She was away working at said church camp this past summer when her passport expired a couple weeks before she was to leave to for college.
When she came home and before she was heading off to college she went to obtain a non-driver photo ID in Pennsylvania, the one that would allow her to register to vote.
She was rejected.
Even though under Pennsylvania law a PA ID that is expired is good for a year, a passort that is a couple weeks beyond expiration is invalid.
A high school ID is invalid
And best of all and most important the state issued birth certificate was deemed invalid.
The state issued it in the condition in which it has lovingly been maintained in a lock box and it is invalid.
Because although it has a raised seal, it is not "raised" enough.
You can turn it over and see the embossed imprint but it was declared invalid.
She was told she could drive to a main center some distance away and wait for hours but it "would be a waste of time."
She was told she should just apply for a new passport and for a new birth certificate
and then after that she could return
But by then:
She would have spent the money on a passport, plus the appointment to process it since the last was issued to her as a minor
And she would have to wait for the new birth certificate
And it would be...
too late
Later in the news it was announced that a special voting only ID would be issued for people like her with "faulty" birth certificates
Faulty because of what?
But then came the caveat
You can only obtain this ID IF
YOU HAVE EXHAUSTED EVERY OTHER WAY TO OBTAIN NECESSARY ID
So...
if you can obtain other ID, no matter the cost, and time and waiting and lost hours of your life
...
You cannot qualify
Help us understand how it is that a lifelong, wage earning native born American who possesses identification given by the government is denied use of it?
How can a state issued ID card be valid when a federal ID becomes instantaneously obsolete?
So she cannot vote in PA
I cannot even begin to imagine how frustrating it is for her
And for every person who does not drive, has no employer ID
Who has limited funds or limited mobility?
I know how frustrating it is for me
No one should ever feel like life becomes about doors closing in your face for no reason
There is one thing I can guarantee
The party who thought this was a great way to keep "illegals" from voting has guaranteed a couple things-
she will never vote for your party
she will likely decide to work and use her talents in another state adding to the Brain Drain
she may well go to law school just to advocate for people who are disenfranchised
And if she does
I suspect she will not be nice about it
The case in point is my own recently turned 18 daughter. She is the child with the September 11th birthday. She was born in and only lived in one town in one county in Pennsylvania. She is the biological child of two United States citizens and has only ever had one birth certificate, the one that came in the mail a couple weeks after she was born. She has obtained a US Passport and has traveled abroad with People to People Student Ambassadors. She is an honors scholar at a church related university. She has only ever worked at a church camp where she has not been issued an ID because you do not need one. She was away working at said church camp this past summer when her passport expired a couple weeks before she was to leave to for college.
When she came home and before she was heading off to college she went to obtain a non-driver photo ID in Pennsylvania, the one that would allow her to register to vote.
She was rejected.
Even though under Pennsylvania law a PA ID that is expired is good for a year, a passort that is a couple weeks beyond expiration is invalid.
A high school ID is invalid
And best of all and most important the state issued birth certificate was deemed invalid.
The state issued it in the condition in which it has lovingly been maintained in a lock box and it is invalid.
Because although it has a raised seal, it is not "raised" enough.
You can turn it over and see the embossed imprint but it was declared invalid.
She was told she could drive to a main center some distance away and wait for hours but it "would be a waste of time."
She was told she should just apply for a new passport and for a new birth certificate
and then after that she could return
But by then:
She would have spent the money on a passport, plus the appointment to process it since the last was issued to her as a minor
And she would have to wait for the new birth certificate
And it would be...
too late
Later in the news it was announced that a special voting only ID would be issued for people like her with "faulty" birth certificates
Faulty because of what?
But then came the caveat
You can only obtain this ID IF
YOU HAVE EXHAUSTED EVERY OTHER WAY TO OBTAIN NECESSARY ID
So...
if you can obtain other ID, no matter the cost, and time and waiting and lost hours of your life
...
You cannot qualify
Help us understand how it is that a lifelong, wage earning native born American who possesses identification given by the government is denied use of it?
How can a state issued ID card be valid when a federal ID becomes instantaneously obsolete?
So she cannot vote in PA
I cannot even begin to imagine how frustrating it is for her
And for every person who does not drive, has no employer ID
Who has limited funds or limited mobility?
I know how frustrating it is for me
No one should ever feel like life becomes about doors closing in your face for no reason
There is one thing I can guarantee
The party who thought this was a great way to keep "illegals" from voting has guaranteed a couple things-
she will never vote for your party
she will likely decide to work and use her talents in another state adding to the Brain Drain
she may well go to law school just to advocate for people who are disenfranchised
And if she does
I suspect she will not be nice about it
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
A Strange New Holy Space
For the last couple months I have been in a kind of writing wilderness. There are many reasons why, starting with the fact that writing about Chick #2 graduating and the nest thinning out being too fresh to process. Or it could be the ridiculous schedule of my own creation that took me many places over the summer that were too close in proximity for me to breathe. Or it could be that this was followed by the sending off both girls to college interspersed with a festival of funerals. And my general uncertainty about who I was blogging for, what was blog-worthy or how to filter what would be shared. I have been grateful for those who have encouraged me to simply write for myself and decide how to do that and in what context. I have also been grateful for those who found my musings helpful, comforting or a-musing. And I am now trying to work toward setting aside time for writing each day, along with that time for praying and exercising and spending time with loved ones, both two and four-legged, and occasionally experimental cooking. I am not really a routine building person so it is hard to say how long this will last. Rather than try to decide if this will be writing about life in ministry, life in the neighborhood, life in general, sermons, reflections or whatever, in this "post-children, still new ministry and new neighborhood" phase, it will be whatever it is. All of that is frankly a lighthearted entry leadup to what led me to start writing again today. Which is one of those moments where my first life and second life have full-on collided in a way that makes me stand back and ponder.
In my pre-seminary life I was a band Mom and lawyer in addition to spending alot of time in church.
And in the band Mom role I got to knowing some very strong and talented ladies one of whom works as a first responder.
In my seminary life when I worked as a chaplain at the Large Trauma Center in Amish Country, sometimes our paths would cross in the ER as she brought in patients and I was meeting families. And our conversations would perhaps be brief as we both were in the midst of doing what we do, each of us believing the other person had the really hard role. And even when some people were not quite sure about the whole change to seminary thing, she was always a big support. And in her medical role there was no one else I would want to fix my problems. We once even both showed up at an accident scene, me on my way to work at the hospital and her with the ambulance knowing full well we might see each other again later that night.
Since then I have moved on, literally to another county in my first call and once Chick#2 graduated it seemed that our only contact might be virtual, and in a sense it is.
But my friend's Mom is terribly unwell and out of the blue I got a text asking if she could text me because she is in a place she has never been before. That place is not the hospital, but the place where your Mom is dying and you cannot fix it. With all of the knowledge and skill in the world, still powerless.
The journey from a visit to the hospital for an unusual day has careened wildly across the last few weeks to a diagnosis of cancer, to hospice paperwork and in the last couple days, from talking to silence. It is unreal. And in such a place no matter how many people are helping there is a vacuum.
And from two counties away was a request to pray.
But because she did not want to disturb Mom, all of this had been by txt.
And so, believing in the power of God to work in any medium, I texted prayer.
For a person whose whole life as a caregiver was not enough for this sadness.
O Lord we are at the limits of our power to help. We place ________ in your hands.
For what you have helped us to do, we give thanks. Give strength for what must be done by others and shelter us in your peace which surpasses our understanding.
We thank you for the gifts of love and companionship ___ gave which are greater than words can express. With the faithful of every time and place we place ourselves in your hands and put our trust in you
and ask you to meet us in our sorrow.
We have done what we can in hope, in sorrow and in love.
Embrace ______ and each person who loves her. Encompass us with your grace.
We cannot see how we can travel this road, but give us faith to know your hand is leading us
And your love supporting us.
Help us to watch and to wait.
Thank you for allowing us to come in anger and pain, and bitterness,
knowing you love us still and never turn away.
Light our path and may you send your hope and love
in the hands and feet and voices of all who enter here.
Thank you for ____, ___'s daughter, and for her fierce determination and love
She has been a blessing.
Be with her now.
We give this all to you Lord in the name of Jesus Christ our light and hope.
Amen
And even though we are still two counties away and so often we consider our electronic media to be impersonal, the Spirit willed two old buddies the moment that was needed. And while I would not have thought it possible, it really did feel like prayer, not just data- a strange new holy space.
In my pre-seminary life I was a band Mom and lawyer in addition to spending alot of time in church.
And in the band Mom role I got to knowing some very strong and talented ladies one of whom works as a first responder.
In my seminary life when I worked as a chaplain at the Large Trauma Center in Amish Country, sometimes our paths would cross in the ER as she brought in patients and I was meeting families. And our conversations would perhaps be brief as we both were in the midst of doing what we do, each of us believing the other person had the really hard role. And even when some people were not quite sure about the whole change to seminary thing, she was always a big support. And in her medical role there was no one else I would want to fix my problems. We once even both showed up at an accident scene, me on my way to work at the hospital and her with the ambulance knowing full well we might see each other again later that night.
Since then I have moved on, literally to another county in my first call and once Chick#2 graduated it seemed that our only contact might be virtual, and in a sense it is.
But my friend's Mom is terribly unwell and out of the blue I got a text asking if she could text me because she is in a place she has never been before. That place is not the hospital, but the place where your Mom is dying and you cannot fix it. With all of the knowledge and skill in the world, still powerless.
The journey from a visit to the hospital for an unusual day has careened wildly across the last few weeks to a diagnosis of cancer, to hospice paperwork and in the last couple days, from talking to silence. It is unreal. And in such a place no matter how many people are helping there is a vacuum.
And from two counties away was a request to pray.
But because she did not want to disturb Mom, all of this had been by txt.
And so, believing in the power of God to work in any medium, I texted prayer.
For a person whose whole life as a caregiver was not enough for this sadness.
O Lord we are at the limits of our power to help. We place ________ in your hands.
For what you have helped us to do, we give thanks. Give strength for what must be done by others and shelter us in your peace which surpasses our understanding.
We thank you for the gifts of love and companionship ___ gave which are greater than words can express. With the faithful of every time and place we place ourselves in your hands and put our trust in you
and ask you to meet us in our sorrow.
We have done what we can in hope, in sorrow and in love.
Embrace ______ and each person who loves her. Encompass us with your grace.
We cannot see how we can travel this road, but give us faith to know your hand is leading us
And your love supporting us.
Help us to watch and to wait.
Thank you for allowing us to come in anger and pain, and bitterness,
knowing you love us still and never turn away.
Light our path and may you send your hope and love
in the hands and feet and voices of all who enter here.
Thank you for ____, ___'s daughter, and for her fierce determination and love
She has been a blessing.
Be with her now.
We give this all to you Lord in the name of Jesus Christ our light and hope.
Amen
And even though we are still two counties away and so often we consider our electronic media to be impersonal, the Spirit willed two old buddies the moment that was needed. And while I would not have thought it possible, it really did feel like prayer, not just data- a strange new holy space.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Riding the Wave of the Spirit
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A year ago today at about this time, I graduated
from Seminary and I had no idea who Matt and Carson were. But the Spirit was at
work and today one year later, I can say that I’m ordained so that I can
baptize my neighbors-Lyle and Dexter- because the flow of the Spirit brought us
together in this place. During the Sundays of Easter we’ve begun each week with
Thanksgiving for Baptism. As our worship has begun, we’ve turned and faced the
font where for us, God has spoken. We’ve watched the water flow and we’ve let
the words pour over us. Let’s go back to those words and let them soak in-
recall and give thanks for God’s work in the Spirit poured out in water and the
word.
If we listen we hear beautiful, stirring language
that recalls God in great water stories- “ in the beginning the Spirit moved
over the waters” and created, bringing order out of chaos and sprouting forth
new life in abundance. “God spared Noah and his family” from being swept away
by raging water. God commanded the waters to stand back! And delivered the
people out of captivity and into freedom. These are Cecil B De Mille epic movie
images.
We’ve also been giving thanks for the gift of
baptism for us- through which we share in Jesus’ death on the cross, but also
in salvation, cleansing and new life. As you listen to the words, can you hear God’s
love splashing forth everywhere, as we listen to the water pouring out of the
pitcher? I really hope so.
Yet, I must confess to you that as captivating as this
can be most weeks, as I am holding the very full pitcher, I’m keenly aware that
water is just about to burst forth and it just might splash everywhere. Especially
today as I’m feeling a little jet lagged and the pitcher is heavier than I
remembered. It’s the same feeling perhaps you’ve had holding a pitcher of ice
water, when you’re sure the ice will all jam up, and you just know that then
the water will fly, not just out of the spout. But over and around it.
Splashing everywhere!
It's seems to be on the verge of being
reckless and messy. A little chaotic and out of control. There are moments when
the thought going through my head is what if I can’t hold back the water? What if it really does go everywhere?
This is the dilemma that we hear of in the early
church in our lesson from the Book of Acts- what if this CAN’T be contained?
The verses we hear are part of an ongoing saga that’s been unfolding ever since
the moment the risen Jesus appears to the disciples and breathes the Spirit
into their midst. Then Saul has a dramatic conversion as the result of a
vision, and Peter has a dream that leads him to a place he never imagined. And
each finds himself in a place where he comes to realize that God’s point is not
about asking them to hold back the water, or “protect” the Spirit. In fact,
they’re being challenged to get out of the way of the flow.
While these verses seem to show us mere moments in the
flow of time, they were dramatic changes that probably felt nothing like the
orderly progression of the development of faith. They probably felt much more
like trying to ride a giant wave.
I don’t know if you have ever tried to ride the
waves, but in my younger days at the shore, I did. And I learned it’s tricky
business. If you fight the flow, it ends up badly, and you find yourself
stranded, or pounded into the sand, wondering what went wrong. But if you hit
it right, it’s an amazing ride. It’s exhilarating though short, and the best
moments come when it’s obvious you’re just letting it happen. Whenever I listen to people talk about Spirit-led
moments in their lives, it sounds like this. Moments where in spite of our
limits, or biases or fears, the Spirit enables us to see God and takes over our
lives. This is what the imagery of the roaring wind, the rushing breath and the
all consuming fire intend to depict- power and presence beyond our grasp.
Even so, no matter how often we hear these stories,
our natural inclination tends to be more like Peter and Saul and to fight the
flow. And maybe even grimace when we hear that the pouring out of the Spirit is
not according to our dispensing instructions. The pouring out of the Spirit isn’t
like using an eyedropper and selectively parsing out here and there as we wish.
It really is that giant out of control wave. One that will toss us around
whenever we too say things like “ anyone but THEM!” And God’s real answer to
the question of whether anyone can hold back the water is NO!
To proclaim we believe in the power and presence of such a Spirit means we are challenged to trust that the same God who created order out of chaos also offers the way and the hope we need to live in spite of the tension. It’s found in Jesus’ words- “Abide in me.” The vision and the dream of these words is a wonderful new relationship, yet one that is seen most fully when we lay aside our lives as we envision them- for a love as all encompassing as the Spirit. “Abiding with” is deeper than just putting up with- it’s swimming in the same water with those whose lives look nothing like the life we want to abide in. The only way we can do it is by that same Spirit.
To proclaim we believe in the power and presence of such a Spirit means we are challenged to trust that the same God who created order out of chaos also offers the way and the hope we need to live in spite of the tension. It’s found in Jesus’ words- “Abide in me.” The vision and the dream of these words is a wonderful new relationship, yet one that is seen most fully when we lay aside our lives as we envision them- for a love as all encompassing as the Spirit. “Abiding with” is deeper than just putting up with- it’s swimming in the same water with those whose lives look nothing like the life we want to abide in. The only way we can do it is by that same Spirit.
As we’re again reminded of this all encompassing
love for us and an equally broad call to mission, the best place to become is
empowered is in remembering with thanksgiving the work of the Spirit in us, and
the power of that Spirit continually poured out over us. Perhaps I’m biased,
but for me the clearest image of this comes by seeing the Spirit as a mothering
influence. Part cheerleader, part nurturer, part comforter. Part “get off your
butt and clean up this mess I’m tired of living in.” Add a dash of “you did
what?!”
But then add the phrase that I’ve said more than
once as a Mom- “not everything can be fixed, but there is nothing that can’t be
forgiven.” Because everyday I am swept away by how much I love you. “I’ll help
get you there.”
This is how I envision the Spirit and what I remember when I give
thanks for baptism. And I believe that
God uses the love of mothers and others to show us this- in times that kind of
love has swept over us; times we’ve abided things for those we love; and times
when the Spirit has enabled us to set aside the “Me” for a deeper love together
in Christ.
That same love must flow forth beyond us,
as the
Spirit continues to move in us and through us.
Today the Spirit pours, or perhaps better, gushes
forth, not only in our memory but as we pour the water and word over Lyle and Dexter
in baptism. It’s a day for which the Spirit has been at work. Today it’s more
than a dream or a vision, it’s a loving reality. As we hear God say- I chose
you. And God has chosen each of us and chooses all people. Words that lead to
the water. Water that speaks of the Word.
May we celebrate this day! And continue to ride
where the Spirit is flowing. It’s the ride of our lives. It may sometimes be chaotic,
uncontrolled or even messy. But as one of my classmates has said- we take the
ride. And then one day it hits us- we wake up and see- that the Spirit has
poured all our waves together and we’re really all awash in God’s giant sea.
Then our joy will be complete.
Amen
Monday, April 30, 2012
Abundant Love for Real Sheep
Today’s affectionately named Good Shepherd Sunday.
Here in the city, it’s hard to get the whole shepherd thing. But where I’m from,
just down the road you could see the sheep in fields-they start out cute lambs, but by
the time they’re sheared, they’re kind of a mess. We might think of sheep as
looking like THIS:
but in reality, it’s more like this:
Sheep take a lot of work, keeping them in the right
place, cutting off all that wool. It takes dogs, fences, sticks, and for
shearing, you gotta sit on them, and hold their feet together to keep them
there. It’s anything but a perfect and fluffy experience because real sheep
aren’t perfect- they’re smelly, with muddy, matted wool, and hard to hold onto.
One pastor tells the story of being a little girl helping her grandparents at
shearing. Her job was to sit on the sheep, hold it down. But it starts to
struggle. She jumps up and this top-heavy sheep wobbles away. As her
grandparents are yelling, she throws up her hands and says, “But it WANTED to
move” To which they said- “What do you think YOU’RE there for?” Real sheep are imperfect and wired for
struggle. Shepherding means responding to the real needs of the sheep, not the
ones they think they want. The Lord is our shepherd.
Psalm 23 tells us this, and I think it's kind of a shame
we often only say it in times of dying, when it is so much about life. The kind
of life Jesus came to bring- abundant life. Jesus as the good shepherd comes
not only to lay down his life. He tells us we are not perfect either. But in
God’s eyes, we’re enough. David Lose says- Jesus doesn't die in order to make some
kind of payment to God or to satisfy God's wrath or to pay the penalty for sin.
Jesus, in John's Gospel, is the One who comes to
make the invisible God visible and the unapproachable God real to real people. And
to reveal that God loves us and whole world, no matter what. To tell us we
are already beloved. We are enough. Worthy in God’s eyes of receiving God’s
abundance. The Lord is my shepherd. So I lack nothing. That’s all there is to say, right?
Do you really feel that abundance?
I think if we did, we wouldn’t struggle so much. I
think the overflowing amount of slogans, infomercials and books about how to "have
it all" says alot. That many of us feel incomplete, that it's not enough.
This whole abundance thing is hard to believe. Brene Brown suggests that we struggle to believe in God’s
abundant love for us, perhaps because to accept this abundance, we’d have to
first acknowledge our vulnerability. There is a big difference between perfect
and enough.
Today we sang the kids’ song “I just wanna be a
sheep”- it’s cute and upbeat, but if we sang what we really think, it might
sound more like this: “I just wanna be a creature that is utterly dependent
upon someone more powerful than me to care for me because most days I don’t
have a clue.” We can spend so much of ourselves struggling to overcome and get enough
of whatever it is we think we need. But it’s never enough. So keep trying and end
up trapped like that sheep in the mud, in a pattern of living that doesn’t give us
abundance or life. And leaves us feeling alone. We want to be THIS sheep,
deep down we know we are THAT sheep.
In fact we are a whole flock of THAT.
deep down we know we are THAT sheep.
In fact we are a whole flock of THAT.
Instinct says, we can’t let that show.
But then we never really know if others love us or who we’re pretending to be. But we fear that by revealing ourselves and others might reject us, or run away. So we keep running away, chasing ideas, caught in the mire of blaming others, or denial. Yeah,…we’re THOSE sheep. Yet, to gain what we most deeply want, we need to be vulnerable to this deepest fear.
But then we never really know if others love us or who we’re pretending to be. But we fear that by revealing ourselves and others might reject us, or run away. So we keep running away, chasing ideas, caught in the mire of blaming others, or denial. Yeah,…we’re THOSE sheep. Yet, to gain what we most deeply want, we need to be vulnerable to this deepest fear.
To even begin to be that vulnerable we need lean
into realizing that our fears are met by… our shepherd- The Lord is our shepherd.
So walk with me in the good news! Let’s journey into God’s abundance here and
now- that the psalmist speaks of, abundant life Jesus offers. Words that declare God knows we are THAT
SHEEP but we are worthy. And God provides- even though we’re not sure it’s
right. Provides lots of abundance we might overlook.
God tells us to lie down- gives us rest. Do we take
it? Or are we too busy scampering off to things we think we need to do, or expect
us to do, so we can feel good? Can we accept God’s rest? Some of us need more
rest than we used to. God wants us to rest, be cared for and be well. The Lord
is our shepherd- we don’t have to self-shepherd.
We’re taken to green pastures- places where we can
eat good things, not just scrappy stuff. God wants us to eat well. Can we be
fed? Or do we run off to things that cannot feed us but that we think we want?
We’re led to still water- We’re often drawn to
places where the waters are raging, caught in places we don’t want to be. The
Lord wants to lead us back to places that are peaceful and bring life. Where we
can relax and be our real selves. The Lord wants to shepherd us away from
things that take our lives away. To lead us in the right paths to what we really
need. This is God’s deepest desire. Sometimes this means holding us back when we’re
trying to squirm away, and sometimes keeping us from being distracted by what
someone else is doing we think we need to fix. To trust that the LORD is the
shepherd- we’re not. So let God show the path.
There will be places of the darkest shadows but there
God comforts our nerves, reassuring us we can keep going because the Lord is with
us. Ready to beat back things that hurt us, ready to nudge, push, even prod us
to where we should go.
To do all that for even one of us, God works really
hard! But the Lord is my shepherd, and yours and yours. The Lord is our
shepherd, and labors to comfort and to give all of us this abundance. Even when
we choose the fast food of life rather than sitting with the Lord at this feast.
Even though we tend to take off and have to be brought back, over and over
again, God keeps laboring, cleaning us up, restoring, blessing. And it’s all done
because God loves the real us. With the deepest love that does more than
follow.
Psalm 23 is often translated as saying goodness and
mercy will follow us. But God’s love PURSUES us. While we chase so many things,
God is chasing US- this is why Christ came, and laid it all on the line. Pursuing
us even though we are THAT sheep. Because while we are “imperfect and wired for
struggle,” in God’s eyes we are worthy of love and belonging already for all
our days. We can’t ask for more than that, can we?
Our shepherd wants to help
us accept who we really are- imperfect yet loved and guide us to be the flock
who “gets” its identity. Dwelling together in Christ, supporting and embracing our
vulnerability AND this abundant life. Believing
in a God of abundant love will open up believing in abundant life. So maybe we
should start inviting people to come and be imperfect but worthy with us. Stop
struggling- “Come as you are, eat, drink, relax, there’s plenty, it’s for you.
Come see the God who loves like this.” It’s too long for a slogan but I am sure
it's more than enough for a life.
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