Pro-Gay or No-Gay at SPU

Seattle Pacific University, that’s my current school. I used to attend the Evergreen State University, in my opinion on of the most liberal colleges in the US, so, going from super liberal to a semi-conservative Christian school, especially being an atheist, was a huge change.

Now, I’m not big on clubs (I’d honestly rather be hanging out with my friends doing amazingly random things) but one club I was part of was my high school GSA, gay/straight alliance for those of you who don’t know. Well, come to my surprise, my current school has no gay/straight or LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, and Questioning) clubs for gay students and their supporters.

Now, I understand that sometimes it’s hard for Christian colleges to take a stand on whether they welcome homosexual students, but in today’s age, shouldn’t they really have to?

Colleges are meant to teach students how to make a life for themselves professionally, but in today’s age, people in every different field of work have to deal from every different culture, including LGBTQ culture.

Now I’m not going to be extreme and say that SPU are terrible people if they do not accept LGBTQ youth and adults, I don’t agree with them if that is the case in any way, but at least they’ve taken a position.

By such a major institute not taking a position, they send a confusing message to those LGBTQ students who do wish to attend the school for different reasons. At least if they do take a position, then everyone will know and understand.

Director of AIM Asia Speaks in Front of College Co-Eds

As the screen next to him showed phrases over time such as “Our Outreach Among the Untouchables” and “It’s a Vision of the World Made New!,” Reverand Dr. Joab Lohara, bishop of the Immanuel Conference Church, spoke today at Seattle Pacific University for the school’s Common Day of Learning.

            The day was focused on the theme of “Transformation Through Creative Mission (Acts 26: 17-18)” with an opening speech given by Lohara and afternoon seminars on topics involving Christianity and India.

              Formally a journalist and missionary, Lohara spoke of his beliefs of what he referred to as “Global Transformation,” where everyone can find a happy and healthy life through Christianity and Jesus Christ.

            One of three Free Methodist bishops in his home country of India, Lohara stood at the podium and spoke of deadly situations during his journalistic years as well as miracles he has heard of and seen that have led him to where he is today, finding responses of “amen” and hallelujah” from the audience.

            “The evil idea system must be replaced by the idea system that Jesus Christ embodied” Lohara said when discussing what global transformation is.

            With his speech being focused on the area and people of India, Lohara raised questions of the caste system and how missionary work and global transformation has stretched beyond the limits of caste, to people of all backgrounds and economic standing.

            With Indian culture so firmly grasped in deciding economic standing through caste systems, Lohara found it very hard to find support from many people.  “As long as Hinduism remains, the caste system remains,” Lohara said when one the subject of going beyond the caste system.

            Through his missionary work in India and surrounding countries, Lohara told of projects that allowed rural areas gain things such as child care, medical clinics, toilets, housing projects, and other materials to allow for a prosperous community.

            After the building projects were put under way, Lohara said, literacy was put underway, with the first book many people were given to read being the bible.

            Lohara himself has created three different missions, including AIM Asia, to help with the global transformation and embrace as he quoted from Revelations 21: 3-5 “the grand vision of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

            Lohara finished his speech to the applause of students and faculty alike where thereafter, the ASSP president announced funding for a new church in India through Lohara’s mission AIM Asia.

Mayo Polish?

So, like I promised, I'm gonna write down some stories from my odd past jobs, one being a Seattle Childrens Carnival...

          For the last 5 years I haven't eaten mayo. Nothing with mayo or that had to do anything with mayo, even deviled eggs. The smell alone can make me gag, but now the taste makes me want to vomit in epic proportions. I made this know to my new coworkers one day while talking random shit to each other <--- a common event that happened everyday in between the screams of small children.  
          A few days after my last day of work, I went to pick up my paycheck, like any normal person would. So my friend Amethyst (her blog is linked to mine) and I went together in the cold to achieve the great summer goal: money! What we didn't expect to find was our old coworker polishing one of the rides... with mayo.
So we stood and watched as she smeared mayo against the metal, confused as all hell, and the only answer we could get was "well the boss told me to do it so i do it."

I haven't found any information to understand how this mayo and metal combination works, but maybe someone out there knows =) 

Birthday Cupcake Tree!

I made this for my birthday party in August.

The different kinds are: Vanillia with Chocolate frosting, an Apple Pie cupcake, and a Blueberry Jam cupcake

My Cupcake Artwork

Some of these I did for gifts, others I got paid for =)

Church Members Unite to Speak to Students on Homosexuality by Kelly Waks

One of the biggest debates of today is the controversy over homosexuality and its place in churches all over the US.

At SPU, this has been a trying conflict this year, but one group is trying to inform others about the pros of acceptance.

On November 6, SPU Haven, an unofficial school club dedicated to keeping conversations going on LGBTQ issues on campus, hosted a panel of 6 pastors and ministers, straight and gay alike, to speak on the pastoral ideas behind homosexuality in the church.

The panel was hosted by SPU Haven members Caleb Richmond, Joy Bethune, and Aaron Roberts with their faculty advisor Kevin Neuhouser from the SPU Sociology department.

The speakers, Rev. Dan Conklin, Pastor Sarah Klaassen, Pastor Doug Early, Rev. Jim Carter, Rev. Ray Neal, and Rev. Karen Ward spoke to students and faculty alike.

After a small movie-like disclaimer was given by SPU Haven member Caleb Richmond, explaining that the views given were not that of Seattle Pacific University, the panel introduced themselves and their churches. 

Rev. Dan Conklin of the Saint Mark Episcopal Church was one of the first members of the panel to express a strong standpoint to the debate topic.

“[homosexuality’s] not a matter of issue but of people.” Rev. Conklin said.

Many of the speakers shared more of their personal stories rather than facts about their churches and congregations.

Pastor Klaassen of the Seattle Mennonite Church discussed the “struggle and trauma of coming out” but also the comfort she found in her new congregation.

Along with Klaassen, Rev. Neal of the Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church spoke of his history from being a married in Tennessee to the reverend of one of the leading gay churches in the Northwest.

After introductions from the speakers, the panel opened up questions to the audience, which caused more debate than most would have thought.

Many audience members asked questions involving where the reverends and pastors draw the line, or how they treat their gay congregation members verses their straight members.

While Queen Anne Presbyterian Pastor Doug Early explained that through his pastoral style of following the scripture that homosexuality does not come up often, Rev. Ray Neal gave a different idea that sparked some debate.

“I don’t hold [my homosexual congregation members] to the same level as [straight congregation members] because society doesn’t” Rev. Neal said.

Rev. Neal’s comment led to a debate amongst audience members about what gay culture really is, with no real decision being made.

While the panel was open to its controversial moments, many of those who attended where surprised at the outcome and understanding that was found by audience and panel members alike.

With the openness of the panel to answer all questions as best they could, it was Rev. Karen Ward that left everyone with an idea to remember.

“We love Jesus and Jesus loves us and that what’s important.”

An Intro to Me and My Blog

Hi! I'm Kelly and welcome to my new mind away from my mind so to speak. My life is constantly odd and strange things seem to happen to me, especially in the workplace, so I thought I'd make a place to write them down.  
I'm in a very serious relationship and love my guy a lot and he definitely turns the weird situations into funny ones for me later on when I'm going "what the fuck just happened."
I love metal and I'm hoping to someday write for a metal magazine like Revolver Magazine. This blog is here to share my stories and opinions, but also my favorite things and people so that everyone can really understand me. I hope you have fun!