Howard's Sermons and Article Clippings.

Howard's Sermons and Article Clippings.

About Me

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Im a Mainline protestant minister who loves serving in multicultural and urban contexts. I'm very interested in how liberation theology and existential-humanistic psychology are applied to the praxis of pastoral care and counseling. My most profound encounters with God come as we sojourn as brothers and sisters seeking the inbreaking of God's reign, here and now.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Star Tribune Letter of the Day April 8, 2012 Republicans will have a hard time taking back the White House if they continue to alienate Latino voters ("Arizona case blurs immigration debate," April 25). Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's attempt to offer a Republican alternative to the Dream Act comes too little, too late. Generations of Latino voters and their allies will remember how politicians talked about immigration. We should extend compassion and hope to children who are here through no fault of their own. If we truly practice family values and compassionate conservatism, we will not punish children for their parent's actions. THE REV. HOWARD DOTSON, Maple Grove Star Tribune Letter of the Day Dec 4 2011 GOP presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry should be commended for using both their heads and hearts when it comes to immigration policies. We are a nation of immigrants. We need to remember how we treated the Chinese, Irish, Italians and Polish when our ancestors came to this land of opportunity. Where are Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty in our national consciousness today? If our immigration quotas were the same today as then, the door for a legal pathway would be much wider. Why do we have such a scarcity mentality in this land of milk and honey? This displaced anger toward immigrants really should rest with the bankers, Wall Street traders and corporate executives. The laborers in the fields, the housekeepers and landscapers are not the source of our economic hardship. The undocumented laborers among us contribute more to our Social Security system and pay more taxes then they consume in public benefits. If we are to find a humane and lasting solution to this challenge, we need to address more than just border security and workplace enforcement. With compassion and reason, we can see the human plight of the undocumented among us and appreciate where their hearts are. Family values for the whole human family. THE REV. HOWARD DOTSON, MAPLE GROVE Star Tribune April 16, 2009 REMEMBER THE STRANGER Let immigration agenda make ethical sense As a nation of immigrants, we need to remember the hospitality the Native Americans extended to the starving pilgrims. In the Hebrew Bible, we are commanded to extend hospitality to strangers because we were once strangers in Egypt. President Obama is right to realign Immigration and Customs Enforcement priorities. If we truly value family values, we will focus our efforts on deporting violent criminals, and allow hard working families to put bread on their tables for their children. What happens to the children when the breadwinners are deported? THE REV. HOWARD DOTSON, ST. PAUL

Sunday, February 26, 2012

He Gave Me Roses

The documentary Saving Face reminds me of this poem I heard read on the Domestic

Violence Rememberance.

Please keep your eyes, ears, hearts and minds open to the plight of far too many.


He Gave Me Roses

I got flowers today.
It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.
We had out first argument last night, And
He said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me.
I know he is sorry and didn't mean the things he said because
He sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today.
It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day.
Last night, he threw me into a wall and
Started to choke me.
It seemed like a nightmare.
I couldn't believe it was real.
I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.
I know he must be sorry because
He sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today and it wasn't Mother's Day
Or any other special day.
Last night he beat me up again and
It was much worse than all the other times.
If I leave him what will I do ?
How will I take care of my kids ?
What about money ?
I'm afraid of him and scared to leave.
I know he must be sorry because
He sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today. Today was a very special day.
It was the day of my funeral.
Last night, he finally killed me.
He beat me to death.
If only I had gathered enough courage and
Strength to leave him,
I would not have gotten flowers today.

-- Author Unknown

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Give it Time It all works out

I love the saying,"What goes around comes around."

Someone I helped a great deal betrayed and defamed me.

Now when you google this person the first link is a photo of their mugshot.

Justice prevails in time.

Dec 4 Star Tribune Letter to the Editor

GOP presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry should be commended for using both their heads and hearts when it comes to immigration policies.

We are a nation of immigrants. We need to remember how we treated the Chinese, Irish, Italians and Polish when our ancestors came to this land of opportunity. Where are Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty in our national consciousness today?

If our immigration quotas were the same today as then, the door for a legal pathway would be much wider. Why do we have such a scarcity mentality in this land of milk and honey?

This displaced anger toward immigrants really should rest with the bankers, Wall Street traders and corporate executives. The laborers in the fields, the housekeepers and landscapers are not the source of our economic hardship.

The undocumented laborers among us contribute more to our Social Security system and pay more taxes then they consume in public benefits.

If we are to find a humane and lasting solution to this challenge, we need to address more than just border security and workplace enforcement.

With compassion and reason, we can see the human plight of the undocumented among us and appreciate where their hearts are. Family values for the whole human family.

THE REV. HOWARD DOTSON, MAPLE GROVE