Jesse A. Schroeder

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Tonight was a perfect evening for riding the scooter. After walking across campus to return a library book, I made it down 15th Ave., and found my sliver of a parking space. Helmet on, sunglasses in place, wearing flip flops and a t-shirt, I pulled out onto High St. and headed south toward downtown. 

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Today was the last day of 2010. It was a day of transitioning, moving into a new year. It was also a day that was unseasonably warm. In Columbus, the temperatures were in the mid-60's, with clear sunny skies and a beautiful soft breeze. The rivers and lakes have been frozen for weeks, but today they were somewhere in between frozen and melting. I spent a few minutes near downtown and snapped the below photo which shows the far side of the river thawed, and the near side still frozen. 

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This is one popular trend that I hope doesn't die out for a long time!! I love that these are real people, dancing in public, in places that I visit every week. So much fun!! 

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I drive by this street mural when I go to campus, or often when I'm going to a cohort event. It always catches my eye, I think for a few reasons. First, I love street art and murals painted on buildings. I'm the guy always staring up at the skyscrapers with 100ft. advertisements on the side. Even if its a terrible ad, I love "big" art. I'm really drawn to street art as well. Even just graffiti that I can't read, or old and faded murals, I love seeing color and images in the city. 

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Kellye and I went down to German Village this afternoon. We stopped by some of our favorite restaurants, and then went to Schiller Park and ate a picnic lunch. We rode the scooter around, walked together, and just enjoyed the warm afternoon. Here are some pictures:







The facebook album with all the pictures is here.

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For a few months now I've been considering the Master's of Social Work program at the Ohio State University. In all honesty, I know very little about social work as a profession, even less about the graduate field and I'm only started to get to know the program at OSU.

However, I'm excited about the program for a few reasons:

First, I need a change of pace; I need to challenge myself; I need to get moving on a graduate education.

It has been a full year since I was asked to leave GCCS. I loved teaching, and at the point when I was asked to leave, I had come to a point where I thought I could teach at that school for the rest of my career. Being asked to leave on short notice made me rethink what I really wanted to do with my life, and that proved to be a difficult question. Even after a year of reflecting, talking with a spiritual director, going to retreats and conferences, and getting advice from family and friends, I still don't really know what I want to do "when I grow up." I don't feel like I have a clear vision or goal for my future.

I'm trying to be OK with that. But it's tough. Perhaps that what it means to enjoy the journey for what it is, but I think it would be easier, and perhaps I would be more "successful" if I had a clear goal.

But what I've learned through the course of this year is that I easily sink to the lowest level of demand being placed on me at the moment. So I work five days a week, and enjoy my evenings and weekends. This is a pleasant life, for sure. But I don't feel satisfied, challenged, or fulfilled. I don't feel as though I'm doing what I could be doing; I'm not being who I want to be.

I believe that returning to full-time studies, in a field that is totally unknown to me, at the graduate level, will "kick my butt in gear," will open up new ideas and possibilities, and will hopefully help me to find out who it is that I am and who I want to be in life.

Second, OSU is local (don't have to move), convenient, and affordable for in-state students.

Kellye and I have talked about many different options for us, including ideas like moving across the country or even out of the country. I'm drawn to the sense of adventure, but the reality is that our home and our community in Columbus is really good. There aren't many reasons to leave something that is so good for our family. Furthermore, as we consider possibly starting our own family in the next few years, we'd like to be close to our parents and other loved ones.

The MSW program at Ohio State can be completed in two years (as a full-time student), and the total cost would be under $25,000. To receive a solid, versatile degree from a recognized institution in such a short time for a relatively low cost is a great opportunity that I feel I should take advantage of.

I recognize this degree program will not be everything, but it is a good start.

I dream about being at an institution where the faculty and staff have close relationships. Where I live near campus and walk everywhere. A place where I love my studies, have an opportunity to teach and even minister to students. A place where my Christian faith is informed and challenged. I realize that this will not happen at OSU. It won't be the "dream graduate school."

However, an MSW is a versatile degree, and OSU is a school that offers many opportunities. As a large institution, I will have chances to take classes in different fields if I want, network and make connections, and hopefully learn more about career opportunities and areas in which I would like to continue to study and work. The bottom line is that, as best I can tell, an MSW will put me in the position in two years to be a strong candidate for a good job in an organization that I would be excited to work in.

So, as best I can tell right now, I will be a full-time graduate student beginning September 2010.

I've written about this as much to process for myself why I'm making this decision, because honestly I also have a lot of uncertainty. But I also welcome any feedback or advice that anyone has to offer.

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Below is actually an email from David Gay, the director of LowerLights ministry in Franklinton, OH. I respect David's opinion on the matter of Issue 2 (proposing movie the casino location to the west side of Columbus). David has lived and worked in this neighborhood for many years and knows the people and the area first hand. He makes some good points here, and I think its worth considering.

I voted against the casino when it was last put on the ballot. I hate the whole idea of a casino in Columbus. I'm not sure how I feel about location within the city, or even how much it really matters. But David seems to think it really does matter. Feel free to post and share if you disagree with him, and why. I'd love to hear another perspective and learn more.

Fellow Ohio Voters,

I rarely send anything like this, so please take a brief minute to read and
consider.

I'm no economist, but I do live and work on the Columbus' Westside, and
there is something I don't understand about Issue 2 (relocation of Franklin
County's casino); if the casino is such a golden opportunity, why was it so
heavily opposed by leaders who now are telling us it is just the economic
development our City needs? And if it is such a gold mine, why are leaders
in the Arena District so desperate and vehement to get it moved from the
City's entertainment headquarters? Could this be a rare, yet gracious act
of benevolence for a blighted community?

Here are some justice issues to ponder. if we are going to be forced to have
a casino in Columbus, I think it would be better to keep it in the Arena
District:

* We all know those with a financial interest in Nationwide Arena,
Huntington Park, the Convention Center, the Short North (the list could go
on) will DEMAND adequate and effective police presence to limit crime that
comes with these establishments

* Available land in the Arena District is very expensive and
considerably limited, therefore the typical businesses (pawn shops, sleazy
hotels/bars, etc.) that accompany casinos would find it nearly impossible to
move in and take advantage

* Whether we like it or not, the Arena District is less accessible
to at-risk, vulnerable populations, both because of transportation
limitations, but also because of socio-economic barriers that provide what
could be (in this instance only) a healthy cultural divide

What do I see happening in the casino moves to the Westside?

* Get ready for increases in crime (especially prostitution and
violent crime) to an area already battling with high crime rates. Crime
always thrives in the shadows, but it never stays there! And who do we
imagine will then frequent a Westside casino.

* The Westside will get economic development - pawn shops, cash
advance stores, "show bars" and other maladies will spawn like mad thanks to
a plethora of cheap real estate in a distressed and blighted area

* Get ready for more social service dollars (your tax dollars) to be
handed over to casino operators who will have an unencumbered flow of
low-income individuals/families traveling down major bus lines and feeling
very much "at home" in the Westside casino district

Low-income neighborhoods are conditioned to be the dumping ground of the
City's NIMBY-ism, but this time they have done it to us masterfully - by
getting us to beg for the opportunity to be dumped on.

Please vote a decisive NO on Issue 2! I know it seems everyone is for it,
but we must protect vulnerable families. Best case scenario, we vote no and
then the powerful Arena District leaders can fight the development and delay
the casino the majority of us in Franklin County did NOT want (58% rejected
the casino).

David Gay

Westside resident, Pastor, Community Developer

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So I've had our little scooter for about a week now, and I've had a chance to ride it across town a few times. It's a totally different experience than driving. Here are a few things I've noticed:

• Everything and everyone is much more IN YOUR FACE. The sights, the smells, the sounds, the feel of the road, the person next to you with their window down, the person riding their bike. It is all so close you can reach out and touch it. This is definitely the biggest difference and what makes riding a scooter (or any bike) so much fun. You aren't secluded from life as you drive through it. The drive is still an experience and even more of an immersion into life.
  
• People like to talk to you while you ride a scooter. Several people have yelled dumb stuff like "Do a wheelie!" or "Do you want to sell that?!"
  
• You get to ride through fun parts of town. Because I'm not taking the freeway, I ride right through downtown, campus, old parts of towns like Westerville, etc. Its much more scenic and enjoyable.
  
• The southwest side of Columbus has way too much construction, dirt, semi-trucks and dump-trucks. Without fail when I get close to home, I am stuck behind a big dump truck that is casually flipping dirt, rocks, trash, whatever it wants into the air. Not fun.
• Motorcycle riders DO NOT wave at me. I have passed about 25 bikers in two days, and I think one (maybe two) have waved at me. I know "the wave" is a sign of being in the "biker club," but apparently my sky blue classic scooter doesn't count as an entry ticket.
  
• It's a lot of fun, and I'm really glad we decided to get one!!

Some of the pics below are taken on the bike. They don't really capture the experience, but its fun to try.

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There is a week-long event at Ohio State focused on human trafficking (or better put, modern day slavery). Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to a lot of the featured events, but there are lectures throughout the week and a lot of different opportunities to get involved, learn about the issues and lend your voice to make a change in this really important area.

If you live in the central Ohio area, consider spending a few hours on campus to get involved and get educated. (schedule of main events here)

Lots of details here at the Price of Life Website
Some quick facts are on this site.
Below is a short video from the website that has some more information.

The Human Wrong initiative to stop child slavery from World Vision Advocacy on Vimeo.

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In case you didn't know, I really like our little cohort. I enjoy our meetings, I genuinely like (and love) the people who come to the meetings every week, and I get excited about the things we are doing. Sometimes its hard for me to put into words exactly what I think is so exciting about it all, but I just read a selection of an interview with Rob Bell on Out of Ur, and I think some of things he says describe exactly what we are doing. (Note: He is specifically responding to questions about the potential of video preaching in mega/satellite churches)

"In the New Testament, there are 43 "one another" passages, and during a Sunday morning service you might be able to practice three or four of them. And as the service gets large, you can probably do fewer. A massive group setting is also dangerous. You can come, sit, listen, and go home and think, I've been to church, even if you haven't practiced any "one anothers." And with video that only gets more intense. I'm not sure that's the direction we want to be heading.

We want to be calling people to deep bonds of solidarity with one another. We may gather in a massive group, but from the stage I often say, "This is just a church service. Church is actually about caring for one another, and serving one another, and speaking truth to one another in love. Don't get the two confused."

Question (from interviewer): The evidence suggests that video can have a fast and broad impact. So what's the alternative?

There is something more powerful than simply beaming yourself into other locations, and that is raising up disciples. Over time that will go farther and faster, but right now it will be more work and slower. ... there is a longer view that says, what if instead of beaming video to those ten locations, we train ten people who can go there and lead? That's a very basic question that should be in the mix somewhere....It's important to create a circle of trusting, loving people around you who will tell you the truth no matter what. They can help you think rightly about the criticism and keep you balanced.

There are times when I wonder about how "small" the cohort is, and perhaps wonder if it really "counts" as "church." But Rob is right on when he says "church is about caring, serving and speaking truth to one another in love." It's true that our group is much smaller than what many people would consider a "successful" church, and we move pretty slowly too. But I agree that it is really important to take a long view. I get excited when I think about the impact that the people connected to the cohort will have in our neighborhoods around the world: Cambodia; Austria; France; Guatemala; east side Columbus; Louisiana Tech; under the bridges downtown; Ohio Wesleyan University; FedEx and Honda; Ohio State University; and just walking around the streets of Columbus.

We meet small, but we impact big.

We come together in deep and significant ways so that we can go out and love the same way.

And I certainly agree that it is important to have a circle of "loving, trusting people who tell you the truth no matter what and keep you balanced." There have been significant moments where the people in the cohort - my friends - have spoken to me this way, and I'm grateful. My hope is that by sharing with everyone what I see happening in our midst, you too can be excited, and can continue to live into and experience this very special and very powerful expression of the church that is happening right in our midst.

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Enjoying some tasty food and artsy atmosphere at the cols. art fest

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Standing in line for the rally today, we met a lawyer from California. He was in Ohio to work for the Obama campaign for voter protection on Tuesday. I asked him questions about voter fraud and voter rights, and he essentially said that the most new registered voters tend to vote Democrat, because they are from the lower socio-economic class, and so the Republican party puts up political smoke screens and tries to intimidate people, even as they go to the polls to keep them from voting.

Obviously the whole country is anxious about Tuesday's election, but more than anything, I'm sure every American wants the election to be fair, for the voting process to be smooth and allow for everyone who has the right to the vote the opportunity to exercise that right. Also while standing in line, we were actively recruited to volunteer with the Obama campaign. I asked what kind of things they needed help doing, and they said one thing was just passing out water and snacks to people standing in long lines waiting to vote.

I'm still not sure about all the voter fraud accusations and stories I hear, but if things work out, I might be hanging out at the polls Tuesday night, encouraging everyone to vote - regardless of the candidate.

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Noel and I were able to make our way down to the statehouse and catch a glimpse of Barack Obama in person. More exciting than the long intro by Michelle, or the typical stump speech, was the diverse and enthusiastic crowd. I put together a short video so you could get the feel of the whole experience. Sorry there aren't any actualy pictures of Noel or I (duh....). And in case you are wondering, the reason I chose the background song is because that was the song Obama walked out onto the statehouse lawn to - which was probably my favorite moment of the rally :)