Chuckles and Conversation about Church--Profile on LaRocca-Pitts

Beth LaRocca-Pitts is a full-time mom, a full time wife, a full time professor, and a full time minister. Yet, despite her busy schedule, she still finds ample time to laugh along as she reminisces about her past and present. Serving at Watkinsville First United Methodist Church, only a few miles from her original appointment, she chuckles as she remembers her beginnings.

“I haven’t come very far in 25 years,” she said. Literally.

At the young age of 12, Beth knew what she wanted to do with her life. Her father was a Catholic, and her mother was a Methodist. Without the general belief and understanding of the Catholic Church where children go to the church recognized by their father, Beth was allowed to choose which services to attend.

One day in Mass, she knew.

“It occurred to me that I wanted to do what the priest did,” said LaRocca-Pitts. “If I had to do some other job instead of that, I wouldn’t be happy.”

After her revelation, Beth started attending Church with her mother and soon met more and more people who do what she wanted to do within the Church.

“I had never met any women ministers who weren't nuns,” said LaRocca-Pitts. “I did meet a woman who was a missionary from Africa.”

After meeting various missionaries, Beth started getting involved in any way she could with her church community. By the age of 17, she applied for a Lays Speaking Certificate. Gaining this certificate allowed her to speak at churches across the area because local churches were in need of speakers to fill their empty pulpits. Beth eloquently tackled her task, even though she was still a teenager.

Years past those gawky, early High School days, Beth advanced toward her college years with attending Seminary at the forefront of her mind. Majoring in Religion at Duke University, Beth continued with her studies at Garrett Evangelical Methodist Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Beth also finished her Masters with Divinity while attending Garrett.

After graduation, she came back to Georgia where she appeared before the board of Ordained Ministry and received her first appointment with four Churches in the Oconee County area.

In a decision to further her education even more, Beth sought her Ph.D. in Old Testament Studies at Harvard University. At Harvard, Beth Larocca met Mark Pitts.

“He likes to say, ‘She’s the rock and I’m the Pitts!’” laughed Beth.

The couple married and each incorporated the other’s last name within their own. Mark LaRocca-Pitts is a hospital Chaplin at the local-area Athens Regional Hospital, and the happy couple are proud parents of twins Ellie and Joe.

“Ellie’s the older one by 28 minutes,” said Beth. “I went out for coffee,” she added with a sly wink.

Currently, Minister Beth LaRocca-Pitts serves at Watkinsville First United Methodist, where she’s been since 2004.

“Part of my week consists of preparing for worship services,” she said. “Another identity that goes along with that, is I teach in the Religion department at the University.”

Beth teaches two courses which focus on Ancient Israelite Religion and Old Babylonian Acadian studies.

“Monday through Thursday is a combination of classes at UGA, office hours at the church, and visitation at the hospital,” said Beth.

Similar to all business and career type situations, the Methodist Church has a fairly structured bureaucracy, and Beth spends a lot of time in meetings.

“When I’m at the office, it’s whatever administrative tasks need to be done,” she said.

Even though meetings take up significant time in her life, Beth still focuses intently on preparing her messages for her services.

“I never preach [a sermon] a second time,” she said. “They’re kind of like cut flowers, they wilt. Sermons wilt.”

Merry Christmas, or else!

So, Best Buy did something rather interesting.

The electronic superstore, for their Thanksgiving Day sale, printed "Happy Eid Al-Adha" in their circular.

Ed Al-Adha is a holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to honor the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.

This year, this particular holiday falls along the calendar dates with Hanukkah and Christmas.

Although the American Family Association is incredibly agitated by Best Buy, the store is standing firm with their advertising choices.

It's going to be an interesting Holiday season.

Do Whatever we Wannukah

With the Holiday season here, handfuls of shopping ads cover televisions, newspapers, and the internet. Everyone's buckling down to try and get their shopping done for those happy gifts come Christmas morning...

or Hanukkah evening

or Kwanzaa day

or Solstice?

In a recent television ad from Gap, preteen girls bop around in sweaters and skinny jeans, advocating their rights to not get super dressed up anymore for these festive days.

The girls cheer, "Go Christmas! Go Hanukkah! Go Kwanzaa! Go Solstice!" They also ramble on about giving up the rules, and doing just what feels right.

Awesome. A group of 12 year olds are telling me to "do what just feels right."

So, what does feel right around the Holidays?

Being raised in a Christian family, the Holiday Season (which is just a P.C. label for Christmastime) is a time to gather with family and friends to appreciate all the good in our lives. Also, with my family being Christian, Christmas is to honor the birth of Jesus, the Savior. Recognizing December 25 as a significant day by having pre teen twits cheer as they "86 the rules" doesn't cut it.

Also-what about Hanukkah? This Jewish Holiday celebrates the 8 days lit by the dwindling oil which was only supposed to last for one day. Instead, a miracle happens. The day also commemorates the victory of the Jewish Rebellion.

Kwanzaa is a non-religious holiday celebrating African-American culture, and it is almost exclusively celebrated in the U.S.

Winter Solstice is simply the shortest day of the year, coupled with the longest night. The only way it can come close to resembling a "holiday" is that it symbolizes pagan rebirth.

How did these "holidays" get anywhere near Christmas and Hanukkah? And why does Gap feel the need to approach their advertising from all sides?

Mumbai 26/11 "Where Was God?"

In an exchange (posted yesterday), a discussion about the Mumbai attacks of 2008, people question how Sarva-jna let the carnage happen.

Other questions posted by readers include their confusion of how the terrorists claimed they were doing their god's will.

The Wisdom to Know the Difference

In a short post written by Eileen Flanagan, she discusses the importance of wisdom behind the serenity prayer.

If we recognize the difference between the things we can and cannot change, lives would be happier.

Pilgrims and Hindus for Thanksgiving

In a book by Richard Salva--Soul Journey: From Lincoln to Lindbergh-- he poses the hypothesis that Diwali, Holi, Shiva Ratri, and Thanksgiving all come from originally Hindu Holidays.

Pink Hijab's for Susan G. Komen

Muslim women in Washington, D.C. marched int he Susan G. Komen Race for the cure in 2008, and they proudly wore their pink hijabs (headscarves).

Even though the walk occurred over a year ago, the purpose behind this blog entry found through beliefnet.com is to explain how Muslim women react to their dress requirements. Pictures are also included in the entry.

Phil Carter Resigns

The appointed deputy assistant secretary of defense for detainee policy has tendered his resignation.

An Iraq war veteran and lawyer, worked with global policy for detainees. He played a large role in the closing of Guantanamo Bay.

Velveteen Rabbi's Torah Commentary

ok, this has nothing to do with the blog edit, but I think the name "Velveteen Rabbi" is awesome.

Back to the edit:

Through important spiritual practice (the person who runs this site chooses to go unnamed), she enjoys managing the blog. She incorporates a list of every d'var Torah she's ever written and catalogs them below.

Auschwitz launches a Facebook site

After skimming through belief.net and therevealer.org, I came across a link to this BBC News article...

Apparently, back in October Auschwitz decided to get hip with this whole social media revolution, and they started a facebook site.

Does anyone else think this is....weird?

The site's purpose is to reach younger generations and educate people about the horrors of the holocaust.

The Buddha and Going Rogue

Going Rogue, the title of Sarah Palin's book, implies the idea of starting a revolution. The Buddha believed in going rogue, as well. But Buddha encountered many obstacles along his way.

Spray-On Jesus

What's your reaction?

Jesus is in a can...?

A New Thanksgiving Prayer?

Alexis C. Jolly traditionally gave the Thanksgiving prayer at his family gathering on the Turkey intense day, but this year he's decided to approach the situation a bit differently. He has so much to be thankful for, he's decided to prepare a new prayer for his family.

Christian Leaders Scapegoat Gays on Marriage

In a blog entry by Nathaniel Frank, found from The Huffington Post, he addresses the new "Manhattan Declaration." This declaration signed by over 150 Christian leaders identifies abortion, gay marriage, and religious liberty as three important issues today.

Frank primarily focuses on the issue of gay marriage.

Federal Judge Nixes License Plates

In Columbia, South Carolina, a Federal Judge ruled that the state cannot issue license plates with an image of a cross in front of a stained glass window. Along with the image, the phrase "I Believe..." would appear on the plate.

Scientology foe's arrest

Authorities feared that a member of an Anti-Scientology group threatened violence. Metro SWAT officers apprehended Colby Schoolcraft at his home in southwest Las Vegas Valley and recovered weapons and ammunition.

Cult Expert Testifies at Murder Trial

Ulysses Roberson is on trial this week. He is accused of committing the first degree murder in the disappearance of Alexander Olive--his four year old son. Roberson, who once alluded to being Satan himself, referred to his son as "Salaam," and the exact date the child disappeared isn't known.

Churches and Pooches

In a News article from Ministry Today, reading audiences learn that church has gone to the dogs. Starting in early November, Covenant Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles is inviting dog lovers to bring their pet to 30-minute canine centered worship service.

Turkey is fetrile ground for Creationism

While many people struggle with the notion of evolution , the ideas and concept behind Creationism and Intelligent Design have blossomed within Muslim Turkey. Many people living in Turkey aggressively make the case that Charles Darwin's theory is scientifically wrong and is the underlying source of the world's conflicts.

Life After Death

Many people claim to have "near death experiences" (NDEs). These folks usually are the ones who've come from the very edge of life back to regular actions and have a report to share.

I mean, I accidentally grazed my friend's head with a pair of scissors last night [he's fine, I promise. I didn't actually get him]. But did Michael have a View from the Edge?

Grace

In a blog entry by Anne Naylor, from the Huffington Post, she addresses an interesting question. Can an ordinary person enjoy a state of Grace?

She includes her spin on the answer, and shares ways/concepts to achieve your own state of Grace.

Nidal Malik Hasan

Yesterday mid-afternoon, on the Fort Hood Army Base in Texas, Army Psychiatrist Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire on an unarmed crowd. Killing 13, and wounding 28, the man shouted "Allahu Akbar!"

He praised God.

In a Blog written by Susan Campbell, she argues the shooting suspect's religion is not the point, but is quick to say...

He identifies as a Muslim.

The Flow?

A Flow Chart

This flowchart, found on Greg Laden's science and culture blog, shows unfortunately what so many people feel Religion stands for these days. Going through the list myself, I wasn't surprised with what it labeled me.

Twitter Drama

While I was sitting in my JOUR 3410 Lab, taking notes about social media and networking, my T.A. brought up that oh so famous twitter page on the projector screen.

Ok, I don't LOVE twitter, but I do recognize it's wonder in networking and communicating. It's what I have to thank for my micro-involvement with USA TODAY, but that's another story for another day.

For those of you that are frequent twitter-ers (there's probably something else you're called), you'll understand what I mean when I say "trending topics." Up on the screen, while Graybeal lectured about twitter's journalism wonder, I noticed the phrase "No God" topped the list of topics currently buzzing across the twitter world.

No God?
Come again?

So, me being me, that super awesome (shameless plug aimed at encouraging myself) short blond journalist girl who writes a Religion blog could not simply ignore something that so many folks seem to be talking about. And when I say many folks, I mean MANY folks. My twitter account's open in another tab, and in my search I've had over 4,000 updates since I've had this post open. I'll probably be up in the 10 thousands before this is published.

I moved my cursor over the hyperlink and began my own investigation. After scrolling through hundreds of tweets with "No God," I saw two sides of the issue unfold. Apparently, earlier in the day, Christian Twitter users decided to update their accounts with, "Know God, Know Peace. No God, no peace."

By retweeting (or re-posting) this particular tweet, these users hoped it would find its way to the trending topic list, as an act of spreading goodness. In an unfortunate twist, Atheist users recognized the topic as a plug for Christian beliefs, and decided to turn the tables.---Gee, didn't someone else turn the tables? It was a long time ago...(irony, oh wow)--- With a move showing poor sportsmanship, the Athiest users started retweeting only half of the phrase: the "no god" part.

It's all been taken out of context, and it shows bad taste. By taking things out of the necessary context needed for understanding the subject at hand, the meaning gets distorted. Warped. Dismantled.

Regardless of beliefs, this is just drama. High School drama.

Instead of being respectful of what the religious users were attempting, these proudly proclaimed Atheists bullied their way to the top of the trend list by victimizing people who simply tried to share something they felt showed goodness. Sadly, thousands of people continue to join the "following," despite the meaness behind it all.

Thank you, for bringing those woes from our school years to Twitter. Oh, and don't forget to steal their lunch money after you give them a black eye.

Speech Article on Abortion Rights in America

Sara Caldwell
Graybeal
Jour 3410 Lab
Speech Article for Religion Beat-Blog

Abortion Rights in America

Abortion: a single, three syllable word packed with enough punch to rile individuals all over the country. Simply mention the 1973 decision from the monumental case Roe v. Wade regarding the legal termination of an unborn fetus and watch people heave and feel the blood of the atmosphere surge. It’s a touchy subject, but two prestigious men amongst the American political community boldly tackled opposing sides at the “Abortion Rights in America” debate last night in the Tate Student Center’s Grand Hall at the University of Georgia.

FOX News Channel Legal Analyst and former New Jersey State Judge, Andrew Napolitano, went back and forth with nationally prominent Interest lawyer and former aide to the Bill Clinton Administration, Michael Waldman.

Napolitano and Waldman both offered their specific, somewhat differing views on this particular matter and how if affects the American nation. Ultimately, after just over an hour of tense, but respectful discussion, both men calmly summed up their arguments by returning to their stances discussed in their opening statements.

With Napolitano advocating the anti-abortion stance of how abortion, the most common medical practice in America, is murder, he squared off against Waldman’s argument of abortion rights, and how Waldman believes it’s the woman’s right to make the decision instead of the government’s.

Crossing the stage, moments after brief introductions of the two debaters and their moderator, both men civilly approached their podiums in wait for the debate to initiate.

Current Director of Debate and Associate Professor out of the Department of Speech Communication with the University of Georgia, Edward Panetta, acted as the debate moderator between Napolitano and Waldman. After leaving the University of Pittsburg as an Instructor and Assistant Director of Debate, Panetta started at the University of Georgia in 1987, and because of his distinguished accomplishments and professional awards through the collegiate debate realm, his successes shined brightly next to the much acclaimed men with whom he shared the stage.

While the Grand Hall did not reach anywhere near capacity, only resulting in close to forty seats occupied for the event, the debate hosted by the Ideas and Issues Division of the University Student Programming Board still proved successful by equally covering both sides of the issue at hand.

Regardless of poor attendance, the debate began shortly after 7:30 p.m. in the large hall, and Panetta clearly outlined the structure of the event. Breaking the discussion down into elements, each speaker was allowed 10 minutes for a statement describing their stance on abortion. The second element of the evening included a 20 minute question session where both men were able to directly address specific questions prepared for their arguments. Included among these, was an array of student questions handed in via note cards only moments before a University student affiliated with the group hosting the event started the proceedings.

After winning a coin toss, to insure a fair chance for each contender to woo the audience, Napolitano approached the issue first.

“Some men say that the earth is round and some men say that it’s flat. If its round, could the parliament by enacting a statute make it flat? And if it’s flat, could the King’s command make it round? These words were used by Sir Thomas Moore defending himself in his trial for treason,” said Napolitano. “He was appealing to his jurors common sense, [but was] also appealing to their understanding of the natural law.”

Natural law, according to Napolitano, relates to the order of things described in humanity, which he believes no government majority can change.

“Our rights come from our humanity, and our humanity is a gift from God. If you accept that there is a Creator, and you accept we are His creatures, the natural law makes perfect sense,” said Napolitano. “Your right to think as you wish, to say what you think, to publish what you say, your right to protect yourself, your right to worship or not to worship, your right to travel, your right to privacy, your right to be left alone: these do not come from the government. They come from your humanity. And as we were created by a perfect God, who is perfect and free, and in His image and likeness, we are free.”

Waldman did not immediately dive into the discussion of the issue. Instead, the former speech writer for President Bill Clinton took a more homely route. Starting off by acknowledging the seriousness of the topic at hand, Waldman understands there are significant moral and ethical issues with the decision of not having, or having, an abortion.

“Choosing to have an abortion is not the same as choosing to have your tonsils taken out,” said Waldman. “I do believe in a woman’s right to choose an abortion. I believe this right flows from the same Constitutional and Declaration of Independence based values that we hold as our center in the United States.”

Being the father of three teenagers, Waldman offered understanding of the severity behind these controversial decisions by sharing about his family and his personal beliefs.

“I have seen the miracle of childbirth. I have seen the miracle of their ultrasounds,” said Waldman. “These issues are not simple and they do not dissolve easily into a category as easy, to me, as saying ‘this can’t happen! This is murder, and this is the wrong thing to do.’”

Ever since the legalizing of abortion in the United States of America, anti-abortion and abortion rights activists have battled, often times to points of violence, about the morality and acceptance of the issues. With one side of the fence believing abortion as the unjustified killing of innocent lives, and the other side arguing the unknown timescale of when human life begins, no new revelations appeared during Thursday’s debate. All the discussion was the same as found previously across America, and no new arguments were made. Yet, despite the absence of any new found approaches to truly resolving the issue, abortion is still a very serious matter. With students actively involved in debates close to 40 years after the legalizing of Abortion, the matter only strengthens in its severity. However, a time of true reconciliation is unknown.

Origin Into Schools

This morning as I wandered through my living room (usually I'm traipsing around campus off to my contemporary lit class; it was canceled today), I noticed a lot of loud commotion. Only instead of it being my silly cats ripping and roaring through the room, my attention moved from the floor to my television: it was the cast of The View. Bickering, arguing, whatever. Nothing about this discovery interested me as I continued on my quest to the kitchen, but once I heard a certain name, I walked right back.

Kirk Cameron.

Ok, we love him. Just be honest. He played the hilarious and troublesome Mike Seaver from that family feel good "Growing Pains," and whenever he waltzes into a discussion, usually people smile. At least, I do. Anyway, I'm not too familiar with his past or previous television bits, but I like him, and probably always will.

But, back to The View.

Apparently, from the few moments where I actually paid attention to the bickering, Cameron is working with friend Ray Comfort in promoting the give-away of a specialized publishing of Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species." Instead of the book strictly being the re-mastered original copy of Darwin's work, the particular copy Cameron is pushing is one with a introduction packed with information offering insights about the history of evolution, a time-line of Darwin's life, Darwin's racism, Darwin's discrimination of women, and Darwin's thoughts on the existence of God. It also includes supposed information exposing the unscientific beliefs that nothing created everything, and also how there is no physical proof of any species to species transitional form found in the fossil record. The introduction offers a balanced view of creationism and includes supporting facts from actual, renowned scientists that believe God created the Universe. (Einstein, Faraday, and Kepler...just to name a few.)

Obviously, I haven't read the book. If I had, I'd probably have a bit more of an opinion on all of this, but from the arguments this morning presented by Barbara Walters and all the other women on the mid-morning talk show, there's plenty to be buzzed about. A clip on YouTube starring Cameron himself, shares all the information I just mentioned above, and it was shown on The View this morning. I only watched the beginning bit while I stood in my living room, but the beginning bit still includes some pretty interesting stuff. After getting back to Athens today, I watched the clip in it's entirety, but before Cameron even goes into explaining the book, he discusses statistics about how Atheism has doubled over the past twenty years and other data about how upcoming generations are not considering themselves religious.

Now, from what I understand, this particular book won't be hitting shelves anytime soon, but it will be hitting campuses all across the nation. On Nov. 19, various individuals will be handing out these specific copies at 50 chosen Universities, for free. Yes. free. A 300-ish page book, to anyone who will take one. Cost? Zero.

Now, I'm a poor college kid, so the free thing gets me--it truly does-- but what will come of all this? This is a very dramatic attempt at getting the other side of the story, so to speak, sent to this demographic. Scientists, Psychologist, Anthropologists, and all the other -ists out there are just the same when trying to consider how we, humans--people--came to be. Evolution, Creation, bang it just happened? It's a hard thing to grasp, no matter what the belief system may be, but with this certain Introduction packing a 50 page punch into one of the most studied theories of all time, I simply wonder what will follow.

I want a copy for the simple reason of just having one.

Other information is available at http://livingwaters.com/

Rainfall

While sitting here, after reading my chapter about creating this actual blog account, my thoughts are interrupted by the consistent rain fall outside my window. While yes, rainfall is usually consistent when the water droplets fall from the sky, these drops are a bit different from those which usually grace us with their damp presence here in Athens, Georgia. Usually, rain quickly falls and quickly leaves around this part of the world, but that has not been the case in the past few days. A gigantic storm system appeared days ago over the Atlanta area, and by the beginning of the week, our interstates, suburban neighborhoods, and almost everything else have been dangerously submerged under torrents of rainwater as floods flash the area.
According to current news reports, 6 lives have been claimed by the water rush, and from seeing the response of those around me: people are worried. Now, in keeping with the intent for this blog (a Religion Beat for my Journalism class), I'm going to pose a pretty bold question. Is this what it was like when God flooded the earth?
In the account of Noah, in beginnings of chapter 6 of Genesis, we learn of how Noah was a righteous man who was considered blameless by the people of his time. He had a relationship with God, and because of the sovereign bond, God tells Noah He is going to flood the earth and that he should prepare. How? By building an ark. We all know the story. God sets out to destroy the earth and it's people because of the horrible corruption and violence brought on by their ways. Were these folks even aware of their horrible behavior? If so, how bad could it have been? Around campus, and almost anywhere really, I see behaviors that simply disgust me--whether it be poor manners, rude language, violent actions, or just plain meanness--and I often find myself wondering if these people even know they're behaving so badly. Sure, some will probably say I'm being too judgmental of the people I deem disgusting, and you readers are free to to that, but believe it or not folks, I'm entitled to my opinion just in the same way I'm allowing you your own opinion of me. I like to think I value the traditional "good person" ways considered to be redeemable in Noah's time, but that does not mean I approve of the way society seems to be hurtling down a painful path. More and more things are quickening the pace to destruction amongst government, politics, communities, families, and even relationships in their simplest form.
Now, no, I do not think The Great Flood is happening again, much less do I believe it's happening right now as my old hometown is being practically swept away by the currents while I type this, but what would cause such a forceful act of Power to occur again? Will it, and who would be spared?