Midwest Memo
Faith tradition
by Alan Shultz

The rift between Presidential hopeful Barack Obama and his former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. has occupied more than its share of air time and newspaper columns. One writer at the Chicago Sun Times noted that Rev. Wright seems intent on stretching his 15 minutes of fame into a half hour. One can only assume that all this controversy will be good for future book sales for Rev. Wright.

What is it they say about publicity? "Just spell my name right."

Wright injected into the national conversation the phrase "faith tradition" in describing both his style of preaching and the form of church services at the huge Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's south side.

Singing, dancing, shouting and sermons full of both faith and anger, politics and social justice, that's what Wright describes of the church he has led for many years.

Faith tradition, it must be said, fills a wide spectrum limited only by experience and imagination.

On Sunday mornings my parents went their separate ways to church and so I got to observe and participate in two distinct faith traditions while growing up. One faith tradition had us in and out of the sanctuary in an hour - guaranteed. No food was involved in that tradition, ever.

The other tradition was much more casual and food and fellowship played a big role in the gathering together after worship. Politics did not play a force in the preaching that I recall. And shouting, there simply wasn't any of that. No way seemed right, neither seemed wrong, they were just different

Although I can appreciate good preaching and passion from the pulpit, my faith tradition, my religious background and my personal experience all combine to make me uncomfortable when the personality of the pastor defines the church. The teachings of a religion seem so much more tangible to me than the tenor of the person occupying the pulpit.

And yet...

In Dallas, Texas, there is a man whose personal walk of faith tested should be shared and told and preached all across our land.

That man's name is James Woodard.

All the time that the media spotlight has been aimed at the Obama-Wright rift, that story line unfolded only because of the spotlight.

James Woodard's story unfolded, despite a media spotlight.

Woodard was released from prison last week after spending 27 years behind bars for a murder he did not commit. Woodard's freedom was secured by the efforts of a group known as the Innocence Project, a New York-based legal center.

Woodard's faith that right would triumph was never crushed. And that sermon, Woodard's faith tradition, that's one I yearn to hear.

Woodward says he is not bitter,

that his days were not wasted, that he has hope for the future. His humility comes across louder than any shout that could be given voice.

A segment on National Public Radio about Woodard told how he refused to admit his guilt in the face of a commitment from the parole board that his admission would earn him a release.

How's that for faith?

According to an Associated Press story by reporter Schuyler Dixon, Woodard is the 18th person in Dallas County to be exonerated by DNA evidence. For the State of Texas the figure stands at 31 overall. Newly elected Dallas County prosecutor Craig Watkins has taken a move unprecedented across the nation. He has invited the Texas branch of the Innocence Project to review cases dating as far back as 1970 to determine if DNA evidence supports the finding of guilt.

James Woodward's testimony is one that should be heard by all Americans. More important, it is, than that which the media feeds us.

Sermons spoken.

Sermons lived.

The injustice done James Woodward is indeed something to shout about. His faith, though, that is something to truly rejoice over.