Friday, April 13, 2007
Simplifying my Life
Over the last month I have been fighting bronchitis, sinusitus and exhaustion. I have to simplify my life so I am going to concentrate on writing and maintaining only one blog.
http://makingdisciples.wordpress.com
Come and continue the journey with us.
http://makingdisciples.wordpress.com
Come and continue the journey with us.
Friday, December 01, 2006
World AIDS Day
World AIDS day is today. This is an opportunity for everyone to join in doing something to increase the awareness of HIV/AIDS, eliminating the stigmas that have in the past accompanied HIV/AIDS and to show compassion to people living with AIDS or family members who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS.
The question many Christians are asking is “what should I do?” The church has been deafening silent on HIV/AIDS and as a result most Christians have ignored the growing epidemic. They do not speak to their friends and co-workers about HIV/AIDS so that no one can misinterpret the conversation as them having HIV/AIDS or them knowing anyone with HIV/AIDS. Many Christians have tuned out the cries of the orphans in Africa who are left by parents who died of AIDS. Christians, especially in the US are blind to the pain and suffering, blind toward the injustices dealt to those living with the disease and blind to how it is killing people of color disproportionately with the rest of the world’s population.
The myths include:
• HIV is the same as AIDS
• HIV only affects gay men and drug users
• People over 50 don't get HIV
This is just three of The Top 10 Myths About HIV/AIDS Educate yourself and others so that you do not promote the pain and suffering that our brothers and sisters are already experiencing.
World Vision writes, "This is a challenge laid at the feet of each and every person on the planet who considers compassion a virtue, and particularly to those who believe there is a God who cares for and identifies with those who suffer in silence." Therefore, they offer suggestions for "5 Things You Can Do":
1. Pray!
2. Learn more about AIDS.
3. Get involved.
4. Give generously, and encourage others to follow your example.
5. Advocate for our leaders to put children first
1 Thessalonians
12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Be Strong and Courageous
Pastor William T Chaney Jr
The question many Christians are asking is “what should I do?” The church has been deafening silent on HIV/AIDS and as a result most Christians have ignored the growing epidemic. They do not speak to their friends and co-workers about HIV/AIDS so that no one can misinterpret the conversation as them having HIV/AIDS or them knowing anyone with HIV/AIDS. Many Christians have tuned out the cries of the orphans in Africa who are left by parents who died of AIDS. Christians, especially in the US are blind to the pain and suffering, blind toward the injustices dealt to those living with the disease and blind to how it is killing people of color disproportionately with the rest of the world’s population.
The myths include:
• HIV is the same as AIDS
• HIV only affects gay men and drug users
• People over 50 don't get HIV
This is just three of The Top 10 Myths About HIV/AIDS Educate yourself and others so that you do not promote the pain and suffering that our brothers and sisters are already experiencing.
World Vision writes, "This is a challenge laid at the feet of each and every person on the planet who considers compassion a virtue, and particularly to those who believe there is a God who cares for and identifies with those who suffer in silence." Therefore, they offer suggestions for "5 Things You Can Do":
1. Pray!
2. Learn more about AIDS.
3. Get involved.
4. Give generously, and encourage others to follow your example.
5. Advocate for our leaders to put children first
1 Thessalonians
12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Be Strong and Courageous
Pastor William T Chaney Jr
Monday, November 20, 2006
SHOULD THEY MEET AGAIN?
This article can be found at http://www.bcsfootball.org/cfb/story/6186202
Ohio State punches ticket for Glendale
Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Troy Smith and Ohio State did it all, overwhelming Michigan with offense, winning the Big Ten title and streaking into the national title game.
The Wolverines may have another shot at the Buckeyes though - they, too, can still make it to the BCS title game in Arizona.
Smith and the top-ranked Buckeyes put their dazzling speed on display with a barrage of big plays, and they needed every one of them to beat an inspired Michigan team, 42-39 on Saturday. The Game of the Century, the first 1 vs. 2 matchup in this storied rivalry, was played a day after Michigan lost one of its legends in Bo Schembechler.
The feisty and revered former Michigan coach died Friday, and the top two teams in the nation couldn't have honored his memory with a better game - though it wasn't the type of football that Bo and Woody Hayes played when they were coaching.
Two defenses that came in allowing 20 points per game combined were unable to stop each other's attack. It was the highest-scoring games in the 103-game series, which dates to 1897; the most were scored were 86 in 1902, the 4th game in series - which Michigan won 86-0.
It was surely one of the most entertaining.
Smith played a near perfect first half and finished 29-for-41 for 316 yards, a third straight magical performance against Michigan that might have just locked up the Heisman Trophy for the senior.
Mike Hart was Michigan's best answer, running for 142 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith and the Buckeyes twice jumped out to 14-point leads, but Hart and the Wolverines wouldn't stay down.
When Smith tossed his fourth touchdown pass, a 13-yarder to Brian Robiske with 5:38 left - on a drive aided by a Michigan roughing the passer - Ohio State was up 42-31, but they still couldn't rest.
Chad Henne connected with Tyler Ecker for a 16-yard TD and with Steve Breaston on a 2-point conversion to make it 42-39 with 2:16 to go.
Michigan's onside kick was caught by Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. and all that was left was for Ohio State to run out the clock.
With 22 seconds left the Buckeyes sideline emptied on to the field. Then the fans followed from the stands and joined in for a rousing rendition of the alma mater.
Coach Jim Tressel's blazing Buckeyes will play for the national championship for the second time since the 2002 season in Arizona on Jan. 8. Who they will play will be determined in the next two weeks.
Michigan made quite a good case to be that team.
Ohio State punches ticket for Glendale
Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Troy Smith and Ohio State did it all, overwhelming Michigan with offense, winning the Big Ten title and streaking into the national title game.
The Wolverines may have another shot at the Buckeyes though - they, too, can still make it to the BCS title game in Arizona.
Smith and the top-ranked Buckeyes put their dazzling speed on display with a barrage of big plays, and they needed every one of them to beat an inspired Michigan team, 42-39 on Saturday. The Game of the Century, the first 1 vs. 2 matchup in this storied rivalry, was played a day after Michigan lost one of its legends in Bo Schembechler.
The feisty and revered former Michigan coach died Friday, and the top two teams in the nation couldn't have honored his memory with a better game - though it wasn't the type of football that Bo and Woody Hayes played when they were coaching.
Two defenses that came in allowing 20 points per game combined were unable to stop each other's attack. It was the highest-scoring games in the 103-game series, which dates to 1897; the most were scored were 86 in 1902, the 4th game in series - which Michigan won 86-0.
It was surely one of the most entertaining.
Smith played a near perfect first half and finished 29-for-41 for 316 yards, a third straight magical performance against Michigan that might have just locked up the Heisman Trophy for the senior.
Mike Hart was Michigan's best answer, running for 142 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith and the Buckeyes twice jumped out to 14-point leads, but Hart and the Wolverines wouldn't stay down.
When Smith tossed his fourth touchdown pass, a 13-yarder to Brian Robiske with 5:38 left - on a drive aided by a Michigan roughing the passer - Ohio State was up 42-31, but they still couldn't rest.
Chad Henne connected with Tyler Ecker for a 16-yard TD and with Steve Breaston on a 2-point conversion to make it 42-39 with 2:16 to go.
Michigan's onside kick was caught by Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. and all that was left was for Ohio State to run out the clock.
With 22 seconds left the Buckeyes sideline emptied on to the field. Then the fans followed from the stands and joined in for a rousing rendition of the alma mater.
Coach Jim Tressel's blazing Buckeyes will play for the national championship for the second time since the 2002 season in Arizona on Jan. 8. Who they will play will be determined in the next two weeks.
Michigan made quite a good case to be that team.
Labels: Buckeyes, football, Michgan, Ohio State, Wolverines
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Legislative Workshops
Yesterday I attended the Legislative Black Caucus Legislative Workshop at the State Capital in Annapolis. This was a great information session about what is going on in the state related to five areas: Health, Education, Business and Economic Development, Law and Justice and Environmental Justice. I attended three of the workshops and here are my take aways.
Health
HIV/AIDS is at epidemic propositions in Baltimore in comparison with other major urban areas
There is a need to increase testing in our prisons and jails
Health disparities along race and social class are predictors of high and low mortality
Automation within medical record keeping is essential
HIV/AIDS testing will be a major initiative for 2007
There were no discussions about the Maryland State Board of Health initiating a wellness effort. Pfizer, who had representatives at the workshop, has an initiative called Be Powerful. It is a wellness initiative focused on African Americans but the wealth of information that they are providing is available to everyone.
Education
Teaching to the test is frustrating for educators
Teaching in schools with disciplinary challenges and violence is difficult
Cultural learning differences are not addressed adequately from the state Board of Education
Lifestyle and living environment affect a student’s ability to learn and there is nothing that educators can do to overcome communities where education is a low value and priority
Maryland is in the top 5 SAT scores and AP class score
Economic status is an indicator of poor academic achievement in Maryland. The Board currently does not have a strategy to address this challenge
Drop out rates is a predictor of future earning potential and incarceration
The exit exam currently tests for basic skills. It is not rigorous enough for the students who are looking to compete with other students in this global marketplace but it is overwhelming for the economically challenged. I believe that a high school diploma should mean something, Attendance is great but achievement of basic academic competencies is more important.
Law and Justice
Charles Dutton said in a film that we watched, “I am confused about why we are at war in Iraqi for their democratic rights when the system here is broken. There are hundreds of felons who have served their time and they still do not have the right to vote.”
My learning points were:
Voting is a right not a privilege
People with voting rights are less likely to re-enter the prison system
Those ex-offenders who have earned back their right to vote are extremely diligent in utilizing their right
As a pastor attending these sessions I was privileged to meet many state delegates, representatives and senators. I was not a big name preacher but each of the workshop leaders made it a point to share their card so that we could discuss possibly collaborations, partnerships and joint ventures. Tutoring programs for non violent first time offenders and long term in school suspensions, programs to assist ex offenders to transition to the real world and health clinics are all possibilities for partnerships.
There are serious achievement gaps, incarceration inequities and health disparities that can clearly be seen across racial lines. Elections are coming up in a week. Those people who earn my vote will be talking about the issues and not each other. They will not be attempting to distract me by discussing who is a friend with George W Bush and who is not. No child Left Behind is not working, the war in Iraqi is floundering, Medicaid and Medicare are broken, the Republican party with all of its power is struggling with corruption and moral failure. Now that we know the problems the Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Independent who will earn my vote as a commissioner, senator or school board representative will be addressing the issues with some real solutions.
Praying for Solutions
Seeking Answers
Trusting God
William T Chaney Jr
Health
HIV/AIDS is at epidemic propositions in Baltimore in comparison with other major urban areas
There is a need to increase testing in our prisons and jails
Health disparities along race and social class are predictors of high and low mortality
Automation within medical record keeping is essential
HIV/AIDS testing will be a major initiative for 2007
There were no discussions about the Maryland State Board of Health initiating a wellness effort. Pfizer, who had representatives at the workshop, has an initiative called Be Powerful. It is a wellness initiative focused on African Americans but the wealth of information that they are providing is available to everyone.
Education
Teaching to the test is frustrating for educators
Teaching in schools with disciplinary challenges and violence is difficult
Cultural learning differences are not addressed adequately from the state Board of Education
Lifestyle and living environment affect a student’s ability to learn and there is nothing that educators can do to overcome communities where education is a low value and priority
Maryland is in the top 5 SAT scores and AP class score
Economic status is an indicator of poor academic achievement in Maryland. The Board currently does not have a strategy to address this challenge
Drop out rates is a predictor of future earning potential and incarceration
The exit exam currently tests for basic skills. It is not rigorous enough for the students who are looking to compete with other students in this global marketplace but it is overwhelming for the economically challenged. I believe that a high school diploma should mean something, Attendance is great but achievement of basic academic competencies is more important.
Law and Justice
Charles Dutton said in a film that we watched, “I am confused about why we are at war in Iraqi for their democratic rights when the system here is broken. There are hundreds of felons who have served their time and they still do not have the right to vote.”
My learning points were:
Voting is a right not a privilege
People with voting rights are less likely to re-enter the prison system
Those ex-offenders who have earned back their right to vote are extremely diligent in utilizing their right
As a pastor attending these sessions I was privileged to meet many state delegates, representatives and senators. I was not a big name preacher but each of the workshop leaders made it a point to share their card so that we could discuss possibly collaborations, partnerships and joint ventures. Tutoring programs for non violent first time offenders and long term in school suspensions, programs to assist ex offenders to transition to the real world and health clinics are all possibilities for partnerships.
There are serious achievement gaps, incarceration inequities and health disparities that can clearly be seen across racial lines. Elections are coming up in a week. Those people who earn my vote will be talking about the issues and not each other. They will not be attempting to distract me by discussing who is a friend with George W Bush and who is not. No child Left Behind is not working, the war in Iraqi is floundering, Medicaid and Medicare are broken, the Republican party with all of its power is struggling with corruption and moral failure. Now that we know the problems the Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Independent who will earn my vote as a commissioner, senator or school board representative will be addressing the issues with some real solutions.
Praying for Solutions
Seeking Answers
Trusting God
William T Chaney Jr
Friday, September 29, 2006
Reflecting on a 21st Century Epidemic
Health Alert
Information can be referenced at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm
Testing for HIV/AIDS as a part of routine medical care seems like it should be welcomed by everyone. I have just a few observations that challenge I need answers to before I am ready to fully support the new initiative.
What is going to happen to all of the testing information? Will insurance companies, pharmaceuticals and potential employers get access to the information? If so what safe guards are in place so that information is not used against us? This information is also linked to stigmas about HIV/AIDS. The legal perspective is a major concern but our faith communities, work place and community at large do not need to have access to the information about our status and no one is discussing how to protect us against this.
Most of the people who have healthcare and can afford regular check ups are not the major groups that are currently at the highest risk. Poor minority women , especially African American women, and single elderly men who frequent prostitutes. If everyone needs to be tested then make the total healthcare package affordable to everyone. This is the time to initiate universal healthcare.
When I read the report Eliminate Disparities in HIV and AIDS and careful read and analyze the policies and programs designed around HIV/AIDS I am concerned that the activities are not producing outcomes that are achieving the stated goals. Rick Warren in a recent article entitled What your church can do to help eradicate HIV/AIDS makes it clear that the church is not doing enough to combat HIV/AIDS. David Munar of AIDS Foundation of Chicago writes an article Latinos and HIV: An Epidemic Waiting to Burst? In this article he is compelling the Latino community not to be complacent about their vigilance to educate and protect against being infected.
My challenge is to each person who reads this blog to take the personal responsibility to become active in the struggle, programming and education about HIV/AIDS. The time is now.
Reflecting on a 21st Century Epidemic
Be Adventurous !
Rev. William T Chaney Jr
Pastor
West Baltimore UMC
5130 Greenwich
Baltimore, MD 21229
(410) 945-8397
http://wtcreflects.blogspot.com
http://nugleadership.blogspot.com/
West Baltimore UMC is an Acts 2 church: Transforming the 40 West Corridor by Being and Making Disciples for Christ
Monday, September 18, 2006
Ohio State is Still #1
I have been quiet this year about the college football rankings. I am a life long Ohio State University fan. I shared my loyalty with Notre Dame for a while in the 90’s but returned home in 2000 to full focused loyalty in Ohio State. After the unbelievable beat down delivered to Notre Dame by Michigan it became clear that I could not be silent any more.
Ohio State humiliated the previous number 2 team Texas and now the unthinkable is about to happen. Ohio State will have to beat their number one rival (again) to prove The Big 10 is still the conference to beat.
I am back America with the winning predictions week after week
Reflecting on the Obvious
William T Chaney Jr
Ohio State humiliated the previous number 2 team Texas and now the unthinkable is about to happen. Ohio State will have to beat their number one rival (again) to prove The Big 10 is still the conference to beat.
I am back America with the winning predictions week after week
Reflecting on the Obvious
William T Chaney Jr
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Rev. William T Chaney Jr Appointed as New Pastor of West Baltimore UMC
For immediate release August 31, 2006
Media contact: Erik Alsgaard (410) 309-3425
________________________________________________________________________
CHANEY APPOINTED AS NEW PASTOR AT WEST BALTIMORE UMC
The Rev. William T. Chaney Jr. has been appointed as pastor of the West Baltimore United Methodist Church by resident Bishop John R. Schol of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Rev. William T Chaney Jr began his pastoral duties at West Baltimore July 1. The church is located at 5130 Greenwich in Baltimore, on the city’s historic “40 West” corridor.
Rev. Chaney, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, was formerly senior partner for Chaney and Associates, LLC a firm he created with his wife, to guide congregations through change and transformation.
A natural, dynamic speaker, William has also served churches in Georgia, Ohio and Maryland since 1990, prior to coming to Baltimore. William has a passion for youth which was demonstrated while he served The Youth Theological Initiative at Emory University , the Youth Hope Builders Academy at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County. He has also been a featured speaker with Monster.com’s “Making it Count” program to provide students with templates for success in high school, college and beyond.
“My main objective at West Baltimore UMC will be to move the church into becoming a fruit-bearing, disciple-making, Acts 2 congregation,” said Pastor Chaney about his appointment. “I have a vision of a healthy, vibrant church that functions through team ministry to provide opportunities for people’s lives to be transformed. We will be a house of prayer for the entire community.”
Chaney is married to Rev. Michelle Holmes Chaney, and they have one daughter, Courtney Elizabeth. His educational background includes degrees in communication from the University of Cincinnati and Georgia State University. He obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, in Georgia.
The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church is comprised of 694 congregations with nearly 200,000 members. It is the home of Methodism in America, with the founding of the denomination at Lovely Lane Chapel in 1784.
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Media contact: Erik Alsgaard (410) 309-3425
________________________________________________________________________
CHANEY APPOINTED AS NEW PASTOR AT WEST BALTIMORE UMC
The Rev. William T. Chaney Jr. has been appointed as pastor of the West Baltimore United Methodist Church by resident Bishop John R. Schol of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Rev. William T Chaney Jr began his pastoral duties at West Baltimore July 1. The church is located at 5130 Greenwich in Baltimore, on the city’s historic “40 West” corridor.
Rev. Chaney, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, was formerly senior partner for Chaney and Associates, LLC a firm he created with his wife, to guide congregations through change and transformation.
A natural, dynamic speaker, William has also served churches in Georgia, Ohio and Maryland since 1990, prior to coming to Baltimore. William has a passion for youth which was demonstrated while he served The Youth Theological Initiative at Emory University , the Youth Hope Builders Academy at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County. He has also been a featured speaker with Monster.com’s “Making it Count” program to provide students with templates for success in high school, college and beyond.
“My main objective at West Baltimore UMC will be to move the church into becoming a fruit-bearing, disciple-making, Acts 2 congregation,” said Pastor Chaney about his appointment. “I have a vision of a healthy, vibrant church that functions through team ministry to provide opportunities for people’s lives to be transformed. We will be a house of prayer for the entire community.”
Chaney is married to Rev. Michelle Holmes Chaney, and they have one daughter, Courtney Elizabeth. His educational background includes degrees in communication from the University of Cincinnati and Georgia State University. He obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, in Georgia.
The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church is comprised of 694 congregations with nearly 200,000 members. It is the home of Methodism in America, with the founding of the denomination at Lovely Lane Chapel in 1784.
- 30 -
