tag:gregwalton.com,2005:/blogs/news
Blog
2022-04-10T15:43:40-05:00
Greg Walton
false
tag:gregwalton.com,2005:Post/6945291
2022-04-10T15:43:40-05:00
2024-02-16T19:33:33-06:00
Making LGBTQ Parish Ministries Work
<p>Here is the YouTube playlist for my 3 part series, "Making LGBTQ Parish Ministries Work" from my 2022 workshop for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles at its annual LA Religious Education Congress, the largest pastoral ministry conference of its kind. My workshop features the the experience of other Catholic LGBTQ Ministry leaders and what I’ve learned accompanying my LGBTQ+ children and other young people displaced by religious families who rejected them. The series covers five points: 1. Experiencing the Call, 2. Building Proximity, 3. Educating Staff and Parishioners, 4 Assessing Your Parish and 5. What do LGBTQ+ People Want?</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLbZVWjgrxI57IQh58ws_pxCpVPjL9Qwem" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>
Greg Walton
tag:gregwalton.com,2005:Post/6897895
2022-02-14T21:51:21-06:00
2023-11-06T23:12:22-06:00
Always God's Children: A Catholic LGBTQ+ Meeting Template
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/178896/6e5d1aae60e7e42e5dfd8dfd885d81ac050c147d/original/always-gods-children-banner.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_" alt="" />Announcing the release of a free resource by, <a class="no-pjax" href="/jesusglue" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="JesusGlue" contents="JesusGlue Ministries, Inc."><i>JesusGlue Ministries, Inc.</i></a><i>,</i> called "<a class="no-pjax" href="https://gregwalton.com/resources" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Always God's Children"><strong>Always God's Children</strong></a><strong>,</strong>" a meeting template for establishing a safe environment where LGBTQ+ Catholics, their families, friends, and allies can find kinship. Having a sense of belonging is difficult for LGBTQ+ people of faith and their loved ones. As a Catholic DADvocate of two LGBTQ+ children, I created this template with the help of my wife, Mary, based on feedback from LGBTQ+ Catholics and our experience journeying with LGBTQ+ people. The template is a free PDF download on my <a class="no-pjax" href="/resources" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Resources" contents="Resources Page"><strong>Resources Page</strong></a>. The name, "Always God's Children," is derived from the USCCB Statement "<a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.usccb.org/resources/Always%20Our%20Children.pdf" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Always Our Children">Always Our Children</a>,” considered one of the more compassionate statements from the Catholic Church with regard to LGBTQ+ people and their families. We affirm that all of us are "Always God's Children.” If you'd like to know more about my family's journey, check out my blog post <a class="no-pjax" href="https://gregwalton.com/home/blog/accompanying-lgbtq-youth-and-their-families" data-link-type="url" contents="Accompanying LGBTQ+ Youth and their Families"><strong>Accompanying LGBTQ+ Youth and their Families</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>
Greg Walton
tag:gregwalton.com,2005:Post/6442918
2020-09-25T13:10:24-05:00
2022-05-18T12:49:40-05:00
Eyes on the Cross: A Reflection
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/178896/5fd530b8a6c1ce4a90db8e870c707ef730e90456/original/eyes-cover-diskmakers.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />I am super excited to have released <em><a contents="Eyes on the Cross" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ocp.org/en-us/collections/dg/652/eyes-on-the-cross" target="_blank">Eyes on the Cross</a></em>, my first ever collection published through OCP.</p>
<p>I’m constantly learning from the Cross. While it’s a sign of our redemption through Christ’s sacrifice, the Cross is also a great example of where love leads. </p>
<blockquote>"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." –John 15:13 </blockquote>
<p>Why was Jesus on the Cross? Because he loved those deemed unlovable by the establishment to the degree that the establishment said he had to go. The Cross is the rule of life, ‘The Way,’ Jesus reveals. I wonder which is the saving act gifted to us by Jesus on the Cross: Is it the Great Sacrifice; or the ‘Way of Love’ that led to the Great Sacrifice? Can we have one without the other? </p>
<p>James reflects, </p>
<blockquote>"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? …Faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead."” –James 2:14, 17 </blockquote>
<p>What is the work James is writing about? James is writing about love. The greatest lesson of my life is that faith and love are one and the same. God is Love (1 John 4:16). If we are not living love, then we are not in God. The Greek word used for love in 1 John is agape, the highest form of love. It is defined as “loving the other as other,” without the expectation of some ‘moral desert’ in return. (I learned about ‘moral desert’ from The Good Place). So, what does this mean for all of us, especially those of us in pastoral ministry? It is connected to the reason that we have a record number of young people, 85% in fact, disenfranchising from the Catholic faith by the time they are in their early 20s. This is because, on the larger scale, while we place a lot of emphasis on correct teachings, we are failing at the work of love. We are simply “a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1), and the keen ears of our children don’t appreciate the noise. </p>
<p>I lost my dad, Tom Walton, on January 23 of this year. It was a Thursday. Mom called me in the morning because the doctors had predicted Dad would pass within the day. They live in Winter Haven, Florida, so I got the earliest flight from Nashville to Orlando. It had a 4:00 PM departure. When my boarding group was about to be called, I got a call from Mom, saying that Dad had just taken his last breath. Dad ‘caught a flight’ as I was catching a flight. I called my brother. When I hung up, there was quiet around me, and I was suddenly aware that the people surrounding me had heard my conversations. They were uncomfortable and didn’t know what to do. In that moment, I was something ‘other.’ I stood up with my carry-on, trying to compose myself. No one said a word — most avoided eye contact — except for one guy. He was a short, muscular, Joe Pesci-type character. He had a yellow bag from one of the airport shops in his hand. He looked at the floor, then looked up at me; looked at the floor, and up again at me again. He took a step toward me and waited for a moment. Then, he set the bag down on a chair at our gate, opened his arms to me and said, “Bring it in. Let it all out.” I couldn’t let it all out in the midst of a bunch of strangers in the middle of the airport, but I appreciated the gesture. After our hug, a few others gave me a touch on the arm and a condolence. I boarded the plane to be with Mom. </p>
<p>I finally had a good cry when I was back home over a week later. I woke up and laid in bed. As I looked up at the ceiling of my room, God drew me to see myself in the shoes of my Pesci-esque hugger. Each time I reflect on it, I see a bit more. In my mind’s eye, I am standing there as him, short and muscular. I look over at myself, a tall, skinny man working really hard to manage a hairline parting like the Red Sea. Then, I hear a voice say, “Take a step closer.” I argue with it. I say, “What will everyone think? What if this guy freaks out?” The voice persists, “Take a step closer.” I take a step closer. The voice says, “Set your bag down and hug him.” Again, I protest, but the voice repeats the command, “Set your bag down and hug him.” I set my bag down and hug him. God says to me, “This is what I want from my Church. I want my Church to lift its eyes up from the floor and see the ones who cause discomfort. I want my Church to take a step closer to them. I want my Church to set the bag of goods aside, removing any notion or understanding of ‘the norm.’ I want my Church to open up its arms to all and say, ‘Bring it in.’ When the world sees it, more people will do the same.” </p>
<p>That is the way that Jesus loved. He focused on embracing the disenfranchised that were targeted by hate because they caused some level of discomfort to the people who considered themselves part of ‘the norm.’ Jesus reached out to the targets. </p>
<p>Who were they? They were racial outsiders (Gentiles), people with different faith traditions (Samaritans), those who didn’t walk the fine moral line (tax collectors and prostitutes), the ill and disabled, women. But we’ve gotten past all that in the 21st Century right? Haven’t we? </p>
<p>Look at the distribution of the 7,036 incidents of single-bias hate crimes in the United States in 2018. These are crimes where people were targeted by an attacker that had a bias against them because of who they were. </p>
<ul> <li>59.6% because of their race/ethnicity/ancestry </li> <li>18.7% because of their religion </li> <li>16.7% because of their sexual orientation </li> <li>2.2% because of their gender-identity </li> <li>2.1% because of their disability </li> <li>0.7% because of their gender (the majority women) </li>
</ul>
<p>Hate Crime Statistics, 2018 U.S. Department of Justice—Federal Bureau of Investigation Released Fall 2019 </p>
<p>It’s the same song in a new time signature with paraphrased lyrics. The folks above are those in the world whom we are called to encounter and for whom we are to lay down our lives — the George Floyds, Joyce Fienbergs, Julie Bermans, Nicky Chans (Nicky’s Law) and Pragya Singhs — following the Way of Jesus’ Great Sacrifice. Are we ready? Let’s lift our eyes up from the floor, fix them on the Cross and really see them. Let’s take a step closer. Let’s set down our norms. Let’s open our arms and say, “Bring it in.” </p>
<p>Let’s keep our eyes on the Cross. </p>
<p>If we do, the world see, and upon hearing the joyous song of love, they will join our children and sing along.</p>
Greg Walton
tag:gregwalton.com,2005:Post/6230554
2020-02-27T20:59:57-06:00
2022-11-26T19:04:12-06:00
Accompanying LGBTQ Youth and their Families
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/178896/bca418ec530b23e9a2adc6b3e25287eaec395026/original/cover-2-001.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" />I was honored to speak at the <a contents="2020 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.recongress.org" target="_blank">2020 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress</a> on "Accompanying LGBTQ Youth and their Families." God has gifted my wife, Mary, and I with proximity to the LGBTQ community through our children and others that have walked through our door. I share what we have learned from them. You can listen to an audio stream of my workshop and access my statistic/resource sides below. A special thank you to ConferenceMedia.net for giving me permission to post my workshop on my webpage. My web player does not allow me to post audio on my blog for streaming alone. If you would like a personal copy of my workshop (workshop 2-20) or any of the workshops for the LA RE Congress, please purchase from <strong><a contents="Talk Download" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.conferencemedia.net/stores/2020-los-angeles-religious-education-congress.php?sessionid=2&fbclid=IwAR2ZY3dUMRc7Wm103c4cboidMBEOuGIDJa26M14c3PLmQqKBuor5Ou70f-0" target="_blank">ConferenceMedia.net</a>.</strong></p>
<p><strong><a contents="Slide Notes Download" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/o9847old39o1vux/LGBTQ%20Presentation.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Slide Notes Download</a></strong></p>
1:18:12
Greg Walton
tag:gregwalton.com,2005:Post/5676341
2019-03-11T12:51:02-05:00
2022-05-10T07:25:14-05:00
Broken Heart
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/178896/bca542873eaaa0f0c331f72c9249870872ecddf1/original/broken-heart.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" />Many people who meet me ask me about the wooden symbol I wear around my neck. It’s called a Heart Tau. It is a Franciscan Tau cross rooted in a heart, the symbol and habit of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, of which I am a part. Part of my Heart Tau broke off last year. I couldn’t find the missing piece. I immediately determined it was not fit to be worn and needed a replacement. A monastic brother in the community gave me his, but the monastic heart tau is almost twice the size of the domestic habits (I’m domestic). It was too big and bold for my taste (much like monastic life is for me), so I mailed it back with a thank you note. I have not worn a Heart Tau since. The broken Heart Tau has been sitting on my dresser top, that is, until this past Saturday. </p>
<p>My wife replaced our night stands. Mine had some of my old journals beginning with my freshman year in college and onward. I was paging through them while organizing my new stand this past Saturday. Many of my entries revolved around my self-loathing: what and where I believed I wasn’t and what and where I thought I should be. I’ve been progressing out of these negative attitudes as I’ve grown in my understanding of God and Love. As I reflected on my entries last Saturday, I had a sudden urge to significantly break my habit of negativity and my mind was drawn to another habit, my Heart Tau. I decided to wear it close to my heart, broken an incomplete, just as God holds me close to his heart. I don’t think I’ll replace it for now. If I do, I think I might fashion a new one when I get the materials, tools and know how I need. I’ll probably need to ask for help with the process. </p>
<p>Today, a young person getting ready for college said about themselves, “I’m just not good enough.” It drew me back the head space of 18-year-old Greg reflected in my journals: my “if I’m not everything, I’m nothing” attitude. If you’re in that space right now. I want you to know that you might be somewhat incomplete, but you are not without purpose. You just need some time to find the materials, tools and know-how to fashion your dream. You’ll probably need to ask for some help with the process. In the meantime, be content with who you are resting next to the heart of God.</p>
Greg Walton
tag:gregwalton.com,2005:Post/4478539
2016-11-21T22:51:26-06:00
2022-01-29T01:46:27-06:00
Akwaaba! Songs of Solidarity and Peace
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ocp.org/en-us/collections/pg/F74" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/178896/51fabaa4319aa1b003c1a899ea7767a7fea1f733/original/30134772.jpg?1479790236/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg?1479790236" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a>"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink." <br>—Matthew 25:35 </p>
<p>In partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), seven Spirit & Song/OCP composers went on a goodwill tour of Ghana, praying and singing with people in their communities and listening to their stories of struggle and triumph. This life-changing experience inspired this album of new songs about the social justice teaching of the Catholic Church. </p>
<p>Offering a unique blend of styles and genres, Akwaaba! Songs of Peace and Solidarity brings together music from Ken Canedo, Robert Feduccia, Sarah Kroger, ValLimar Jansen, Pedro Rubalcava, Ben Walther and Greg Walton, along with contributions from Frank Jansen and Ted Miles. </p>
<p>This universal collection features songs and sounds of everything from contemporary Christian and lively gospel to Hispanic rhythms and vibrant African percussion. Opening up the album, "Akwaaba! Welcome!" is sure to find a home in any community looking for singable music for their multicultural assembly. Its call-and-response style is reminiscent of the music that the composers heard in the streets and churches of Ghana. </p>
<p>In an effort to continue giving back, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the CD and MP3 album will support the work of CRS in empowering people in developing nations and in nurturing peace.<br><br> </p>
Greg Walton
tag:gregwalton.com,2005:Post/4034270
2016-02-10T09:48:02-06:00
2022-05-18T12:49:15-05:00
MissionEighty5 Release
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/178896/d0777c52649a0db8c5ee15c670ac2045a1442b3f/small/12661843-1648010122130498-5435765580084581922-n.jpg?0" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></span><span class="font_large">I'm happy and excited to announce my partnership with <a contents="MissionEighty5™ Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/MissionEighty5Music/info/?tab=page_info" target="_blank">MissionEighty5™ Music</a>. The debut album, "Scandal of Mercy" (©2016 MissionEighty5 Music), features the original songs of myself, Ike Ndolo, Steven Joubert, Paul J. Kim, American Idol contestant, Thomas Muglia, and an original rendition of "Amazing Grace" performed by Sarah Kroger.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here's a remake on one of my original standards, "Despite," with a music video to boot!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_center" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="m7PQuzvPGnw" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/m7PQuzvPGnw/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m7PQuzvPGnw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Available February 24, 2016 on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon and CD Baby.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Join our release celebration at the LA RECongress, Friday night, February 26, 2016 at the Los Angeles Archdiocese's beautiful <a contents="Christ Cathedral " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.christcathedralcalifornia.org/" target="_blank">Christ Cathedral </a>(formerly the Crystal Cathedral).<br><br>MissionEighty5™ Music seeks to bring to the world the voices of accomplished and emerging artists who deliver messages of hope, healing, compassion, forgiveness, and grace.</span></p><script src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/d7464491/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/d7464491/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/d7464491/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/d7464491/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
Greg Walton
tag:gregwalton.com,2005:Post/3965584
2015-12-17T13:59:59-06:00
2022-04-11T15:21:34-05:00
"King of My Heart" Has Arrived
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="Store" data-link-type="page" href="/store"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/178896/bee513fd810d66b0ac0d95427ee2d9d9d59cf34d/original/kingofmyheartcover.jpg?1446871694/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg?1446871694" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a><span class="font_regular">Now available on my online store, <em><strong><a contents="King of My Heart" data-link-label="" data-link-type="album" href="/album/325895/king-of-my-heart">King of My Heart</a>:</strong> </em>9 studio recordings of my original worship songs and a bonus track, "Looking for You," a song about solidarity and community.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I graduated from college to immediately direct music and liturgy at my home parish in the Chicago land area. I left that work to pursue a calling to itinerant ministry with contemporary Christian music, but my love of contributing to Catholic liturgical worship never waned. So, I’ve circled back with this project. This is a collection of my liturgical works published by Oregon Catholic Press, spiritandsong.com®, and my own JesusGlue Ministries, Inc. The title track, “King of My Heart,” is my first worship chorus composed during a time of devotion in a reservation chapel many years ago. As a tribute to the liturgy, the song order for King of My Heart follows the order of the Mass: Gathering, Responsorial, Gospel Acclamation, Presentation, Communion, Meditation and Sending. Some songs can be multi-purposed depending on tempo and interpretation. I’ve included suggestions in their credits on other places those songs can fit.</span></p><script src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/b93558c6/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/b93558c6/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/b93558c6/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/b93558c6/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
Greg Walton