All I wanted to do was get some groceries, a bite to eat and then head back to the Geez office for a board meeting. I had conquered the grocery-getting and was working on satisfying the rumbling in my stomach when my oh-so-simple plan was interrupted.

Yesterday at Safeway an older woman in a navy windbreaker, sweatpants, neon skirt and torn sneakers shuffled her way around the tables by the Starbucks station. She held out her hand that contained a quarter and a dime to a guy enjoying a coffee and a newspaper. He looked up at her with wide eyes and then furrowed brow as he tried to make out her slurred words and muffled sounds. He soon looked back at his newspaper and the woman became invisible.

She tried her luck with the next man sitting alone who had already been shifting in his chair. He was staring so intensely at his book without blinking and I began to wonder if he was attempting to see through it to the scuffed-up floor below. Obviously the woman would get nowhere with this guy and so she dropped her hand by her side and continued her shuffling.

I was the only option left and so new I was next. She came to me without making eye contact and went for round three. Thirty-five cents rested in her palm and crooked fingers. I couldn’t understand her but knew by her outstretched arm that she wanted money.

“What do you want money for,” I asked. I admit that I was suspicious of where she might spend it. She mumbled something and then pointed to my partially eaten sandwich. Instead of giving money I offered to share my sandwich with her. She gladly accepted, sat down next to me and took a bite. She picked up a mustard packet and attempted to open it but her fingers were her own enemy. She handed it to me and opened her sandwich.

We sat in silence for the most part as conversation seemed pointless. I asked her if she liked her sandwich. Without a word, she looked at me in the eyes for the first time and as the corners of her mouth turned upwards she exposed her four teeth. Her eyes twinkled and she reminded me of a child who was holding in a secret she wanted to tell so badly.

Panhandling is forcing people to look and think about poverty. It is hard to ignore when it stares you in the face and asks for money.

Some, especially business owners, say we need to combat panhandlers, or at least not encourage them because they scare people, threaten their safety and drive business away. See here.

Other communities, Like Bloomington, put legislation in place to curb “aggressive panhandling.”  In Bloomington, “aggressive” includes approaching an individual who is “in the sidewalk dining area of a restaurant.”

I haven’t seen them yet, but apparently Winnipeg is experimenting with kiosks operated by the downtown business folks to solicit money for employment programs, such as those offered by The Salvation Army.

Are these appropriate human-to-human responses to physical need? Street minster Shane Claiborne, suggests that Christians not use “brokers” to provide hospitality to strangers in need, but to do it directly ourselves, as Christ demonstrated. “When the church becomes a place of brokerage rather than an organic community, she ceases to be alive,” he says.

When we rely on agencies (soup kitchens, homeless shelters, etc.) the “rich and poor are kept in separate worlds and inequality is carefully managed but not dismantled,” says Claiborne in Irresistible Revolution, page 159.

The Columbus Catholic Worker says, “There are no easy answers to panhandling. This is why the Catholic Worker movement has always stressed the importance of personal involvement with the poor.” I’m still confused by it all. But I know I’m not alone. – Megan Kamei, editorial assistant

This Saturday at Aqua Books, 7:30, I’m “debating” the topic of Christmas celebrations and shopping with “Mr. Christmas”  (details below). This is part of the Idea Exchange series coordinated by Jamie Howison and St. Benedict’s table.

 I’ve debated with Gerry Bowler before and he’s very good at the standard “shop to show your love” approach. It’ll be hard to compete with author of The World Encyclopedia of Christmas (true!), but I love discussions like this in the public square (well, it’s a private public square).

Event details:
 Keeping the [Christmas] Feast
Idea Echange with Gerry Bowler and Aiden Enns
Saturday December 5, 7:30 p.m.
Aqua Books, 274 Garry Street, Winnipeg

Fyi, previously, Gerry Bowler and I have “faced off” over Christmas:

The Mall or the Alley, Dec. 1, 2008
ChristianWeek, a discussion conducted/edited by Josiah Neufeld,
(See the full transcript here, which includes more comments on capitalism, scroll down to see pdf.)

 Christmas Shopping debate, November 30, 2008
CJOB’s GodTalk (podcast). I had a slow start in this one.

This is part of my involvment in Buy Nothing Christmas. – Aiden Enns, editor, Geez magazine

(Photo: squareamerica.com)

Usually I just send my call for pitches (see below) to writers and artists. I thought readers might want to know what’s coming down the editorial pipe, so read on to see what we’re up to.

You’ll see some of new “departments” (news, culture, reviews, etc.). After four years of the same more-or-less unpredictable format, we’re going to introduce a few regular sections. This gives readers something familiar to anticipate and helps us inlcude items that wouldn’t normally fit a tight theme-based issues. Such sections also allow me to work with section editors, which helps with the load.

When the new issue ships in February, let us know what you think. - Aiden Enns, editor, Geez magzine

Here’s the call for pitches…

Work that enslaves/Work that liberates

A call for pitches for Geez 17

FEATURE MATERIAL

Propose a feature article, personal essay, creative non-fiction or artwork (bonus marks for something funny).

Topic
Work that enslaves/Work that liberates. Send ideas on the nature, impact, dangers and joys of work. If work is slavery, what would liberation look like? If work is dignifying, explain why. Consider the personal, social or structural aspects of work. Is this indeed the late stage of capitalism (as Fedric Jameson declared)? Are worker cooperatives a better or lousy response, show and explain why.

Use your imagination: what’s the best way to structure our society? Tell a story of personal or communal success or instructive failure.

Get theological, economist-ic or academicky: give us ideas to chew on (cite solid sources, we know they’re out there [books, articles, journals, living examples]).

Go high-brow: explain disaster capitalism, re-energize a social(ist?) gospel, or survey barter networks and other alternative economic models. Or go low brow: say why your job sucks, why slackers rule, or why bosses ain’t so bad.

Deadline for pitches
December 6, 2009

Word lengths
Pitches: 1-2 pages; complete manuscripts: 500-2000 words.

Pay
We offer modest honoraria for published material.

DEPARTMENTS (new!)

Send original stories (50-500 words) or ideas for any of these:

News
Geez looks for under-reported stories on topics such as workers’ rights, nature, Aboriginal affairs, social services, education, health care, foreign policy, militarism and peacemaking, race/racism, youth, media, science, queer issues, feminism. In most cases, but not all, there will be a connection — direct or implied — to a gospel of social justice. This could include the justice/environmental/political work of any religious group. Or the story could point to neglect or misconduct done by churches and others.

Culture
This is a “soft news” section, with agenda similar to what’s described above under News. Here we highlight fun, disturbing, creative, inspiring things that would not otherwise fit as news. It does not have to relate to the theme of the issue, but it would be good if one or two elements did. An emphasis on public art and creative activism is always welcome. When making decisions, we refer to phrases such as “holy mischief in an age of fast faith,” and “for people on the fringes of faith.” Length: 50-500 words.

Experiments
In this section we throw the spotlight on the actors and activists in the Geez community of readers. Look for personal stories of people putting words into action. Grand experiments are welcome (I bought nothing for a year), but a well-told mini-experiment is welcome as well (I stopped to help a homeless woman crush her pop tins). There does not have to be an overt reference to faith, although that is welcome. Length: 50-500 words.

Reviews
In this section we highlight movies, books, websites, magazines, zines or other cultural products that connect somehow to  the “Geez agenda” (see topics mentioned under News above). Explain what cultural event or product makes you gag, wince, rejoice or exclaim. Length: 50-500 words.

Letters
Yes, we want more letters, especially thoughtful critical ones that interact with what’s in Geez.

Tips for pitches
We see our readers as social justice-minded people of faith. We strive for fresh language to describe the interplay between spirit, activism, simple living and care for our neighbours. Keep pitches brief, write the way you speak, tell us why your idea or story is important, indicate sources you plan to use, and say something about why you are qualified to write this piece. If you already have a completed manuscript, poem, photo or design, feel free to submit it as well. For more, see the previews of past issues on our website as well as these guidelines for writers.

Unfortunately we are not able to respond to every pitch. If you do not hear from us within six weeks of the deadline, assume we were not able to use your idea or article.

Send emails to: stories at geezmagazine  dot org

LOOKING AHEAD (topics subject to change)
We welcome pitches, especially ambitious/whacky/quirky ones for upcoming issues.

Geez 18 The Body – including sexuality, objectification, fashion, fitness and self respect; we’ll accept suggestions for an alternative swimsuit issue.

Geez 19 Wild and Wilderness – does wilderness still exist or is it just a fantasy? Downsides of domestication, pavement and the pathways of liberation.

Geez 20 Technofixation – social networking, pitfalls and gains (if we can find them) of virtual reality versus real reality, tech’s impact on our spirit and world.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Aiden Enns
Editor
Geez magazine
400 Edmonton St
Winnipeg MB R3B 2M2 Canada
p. 204 942-1058

The annual peak of consumerism is just around the corner – Black Friday. Shop till you drop, max out all your credit cards and enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Forget about road rage, we now have consumer rage. People are so intoxicated with the desire for stuff that they actual are lashing out at fellow shoppers and retail workers that somehow prevent them from having what they want in the exact way that they want it.

I worked in a retail store for eight months and I tell you, I have never been yelled at so much and felt so degraded in my life – and I am a nice person! Usually people don’t scream at nice people.

So what shall we do? Will we shop till our feet are purple and our credit cards worn thin? No! Will our stack of presents this Christmas be taller than our Christmas tree? No! Will we still be paying back our shopping debt a year from now? No!

I say, now is the time to stop shopping!

Okay, now that that speech is over with…Buy Nothing Day is on November 27th and you can participate by not shopping. Promoted by Adbusters 20 years ago, Buy Nothing Day challenges our consumer culture to put their money or they line of credit back in their pockets. You can find out more about this day at https://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd

Rev Billy also gives a five day plan for buy nothing day that you might be interested in trying. If you do give this a try, let us know and tell us about your experience.

Sure we still need to do some shopping but we can at least do it responsibly. Here is a website where you can learn about the brands out there, which ones are honorable and what brands you should avoid. -Megan Kamei, editorial assistant.

A couple of years ago, I walked into one of the biggest churches in Calgary and was greeted with a handshake and a smile by “greeter.” (Do you think the role of greeter is a paid position?) I did not blend in with the crowd with my over worn jeans and under done style. After I was in the church for a total of two minutes I didn’t know where the heck I was. Can you blame me – They actually had one of those huge pedestal maps that you see in malls, which so nicely pointed out that I was “here.” I was looking for Chapel three so I could attend the “college and career” Sunday school. I walked down hallway one and back, then went upstairs, opened a door and walked in on a choir rehearsal, went back downstairs, couldn’t find the map to try and reorient myself and then gave up. Defeated, I asked a teenage girl for some assistance. After a were-you-born-yesterday-you-can’t-be-telling-me-you-are-actually-lost look she politely told me that Chapel three was right around the corner.

After Sunday school I spotted a coffee shop right inside the church, complete with barrister and chai lattes. With a bible in my left hand a caramel machiatto in my other, I was ready for the worship service. The sanctuary was fully loaded with a massive sound system, multiple screens, cameras flying around on mechanical arms, lights and a smoke machine. I figured I was in for a real show.

When did church become so complicated?

I grew up going to a church that was a renovated mechanic shop with a congregation of about 60 people (on a good day). No one ever had the name tag, “greeter” because everyone said hi to everyone. Growing up, I often dreamed of going to a “cool” church, thinking that my small country church was so lame. Now that I have been a part of some bigger churches and seen a number of other ways of doing church I am beginning to think maybe my church was not so bad after all.

There is a movement of people that are throwing out the mega church model and getting back to basics. Simple church, commonly known as “house church,” is not new and actually looks a lot like church did a couple thousand years ago. No need for a fancy degree to start one, just a desire to follow Jesus and passion for people. There is a great video at  that gives some insight into what simple church is all about.

You can see more here too, http://whatissimplechurch.com/ . I like the first interview in this series about simple church.

The Simple Way has been doing house church for ages. Their magazine, Conspire, is distributed by a network of house churches and other groups, see their listing here: http://www.conspiremagazine.com/index.php/pickup- Megan Kamei, editorial assistant

Aiden, our Geez editor, has taken flight! He is off in Cincinnati Ohio at the CCDA National Conference learning about simplicity, subversion, solidarity, synergy and symphony.

The conference has been going since 1989 and presents Christians with a challenge to actually live how Christ lived.

If you all the sudden want to see Aiden, just fly on down. He’ll be sitting at an exhibit booth next to the book store. – Megan Kamei, editorial assistant

Neoliberalism…Good…Bad?? Some say it is great and that it will enable all nations to prosper and develop. Others say it is terrible and would bring utter chaos. I don’t know about you but I sure am confused. Shoot, I don’t actually understand what neoliberalism really is.

Well THANK GOODNESS there are smart people out there that can explain things in a neat, comforting, easy-to-understand way. And how lucky am I that there is even a nifty little video, complete with labcoat instructor (uses baloons! Yippee!) that will explain the thick beastly concept of, dum dum dum: neoliberalism.

Looking for ways to respond? Maybe Geez’s catalogue of social change will help you understand where you fit in.

Be sure to look for Andy Alexis-Baker’s article in the upcoming Jesus issue of Geez magazine, due to ship mid November. – Megan Kamei, editorial assistant

Thanks to Rob Peters, a friend of Geez, I found out about Herakut, an unlikely art duo that creates on-the-edge art.

Hera is a classically trained painter while Akut is completely self taught. They bring their very different styles together to create art that is unique, beautiful and weird. In an interview Herakut is explained as, “Hera and Akut speaking at the same time, telling you completely different stories or the very same story just in their very own words. It might be difficult to understand but it´s full of strange, new information.”
They also go onto explain how their art is a way of having a conversation with each other.

You can check out their art online or on youtube – Megan Kamei, editorial assistant

Geez magazine is proud to sponsor The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why, featuring keynote speaker Phyllis Tickle, on October 31, 2009.

Whatever ever happened to the year of Jubilee? It is hard to imagine all the world’s debts canceled, putting everyone back on a level playing field. You might think this concept has been lost with many of the Old Testament laws but think again. Jubliee USA Network is campaigning to see expanded debt cancellation in order to alleviate poverty.

“Still, 50,000 people die every day as a result of extreme poverty.  The gap between the rich and the poor is growing – at least 53 million additional people will be forced to live on less than $2/day this year, due to the global economic crisis.  Meanwhile, the world’s poorest countries send $100 million every day in debt repayment to the world’s richest countries and financial institutions.  We have the power to change this!” read more…

You can also check out Wikipedia and the Kairos website for more information. – Megan Kamei, editorial assistant