I am overwhelmed by the idea of writing about what I've been doing here in Memphis.

A Witness

As part of the day-camp I led, we visited Rhodes College to learn about their work perserving the oral histories of civil rights leaders in Memphis. We watched the interview with Rev. Billy Kyles, one of the three people in the hotel room with Rev. Dr. King just before his assassination, and the only living witness. He says so many incredible things, but this quote has stayed in my heart since then:

I often wondered why I was there at that moment. But I've come to realize that every crucifixion needs a witness... And they said, “We will shoot this dreamer and see what happens
to his dream." That's where the witness comes in. The witness will
tell all who will listen, "Yes, you can kill the dreamer, but no, you
absolutely cannot kill the dream.”

More soon, I promise!!

Walking in Memphis (Grocery Stores)

That's the last time probably that I'll use that song. Maybe.

We talked in our Shalom internship training about the the ways to examine your community, and my mom reminded me of one when she asked about grocery prices in Memphis. Now, I have to admit that I don't really watch grocery prices in Madison because there aren't a lot of options and I already know I'm paying way more than I would back home. So I can't really talk price comparisons. I do know that I spent more at Krogers (same as Fred Meyer grocery for my west coast friends) than I do at Trader Joes. I also went to Whole Foods and they are the same amount of overpriced everywhere. But they had coconut water and that's what matters. However, I did notice a big difference in selection.

A friend of mine at school observed that Madison grocery stores were clearly upscale because they had a really small. Top Ramen selection. In Memphis, they had a lot of Ramen. They also have a lot of processed and canned meat and not a lot of things like frozen or fresh fish. Kettle chips and rice cakes were in the separate "health food" section, rather than regular snack foods like I'm used to. None of it was major, but overall I felt like healthier options were just a bit harder to find. I started to see where the idea that healthy eating is more expensive: if the options aren't at Krogers, you would have to go to really expensive places like Whole Foods. When the processed food is more obvious in the stores and therefore more familiar to cook with, it takes deliberate education to learn healthier eating habits.

Also, they have a LOT of BBQ sauce options.

Shalom, my friends!

Oh man.  Life has been pretty amazing lately.  I finished classes on May 11 and I loved my classes, but I was ready for summer.  Or, at least as ready as I can be for a crazy-busy summer.

So here are the important things to know:
I was asked to intern for the Communities of Shalom.  Yay!!  And I was asked to serve in Memphis, TN.  I'm working in the Center for Transforming Communities, but I'll be doing actual work with several different Shalom sites around Memphis.  It's interesting, I get to learn about different areas within Memphis and the different types for work that are necessary.  I'm here in Memphis now, and I will be here until July 16, and I will be updating with a lot more information as I go.  (I promise!!)

I was also asked to lead new student orientation for our Theo school in August.  Basically, this means I help run the welcome week for everyone who will be joining our community next year.  I'm really excited that I was asked to do this, and I cannot wait to start working on how to make everyone fall in love with Drew Theo the way I did.

In final fun news, I tentatively have my supervised ministry assignment for next year.  As an M.Div, I have to do a year long internship.  Most students work at churches as assistant student pastors or, more often, youth leaders.  I have had amazing opportunities both in youth leadership and as a student pastor, so I was hoping for something a little different.  I interviewed with the Church Center for the United Nations.  It's located right across the street from the U.N., which is pretty amazing.  I would be working with the Chaplain, who in turn works with groups like the United Methodist Women, the Committee on Religion Non-Government Organizations, and an ecumenical women's organization.  She also provides hospitality for any groups visiting the UN and runs a weekly prayer service out of the chapel.  The chapel is beautiful.  It has a giant stained glass window that depicts the eye of God, looking out on the UN and into the chapel.

I would be working there twice a week, taking a class for the internship, and then still taking regular classes and working at my student job.  Sounds like a relaxing year!!

I don't get to go back west at all this summer, but I think it's well worth if for everything I get to do.  I am loving Memphis so far (although I've only been here for 24 hours) and I think I'm going to have some pretty fantastic opportunities.  I'm really trying to be involved in everything I can, because the "real world" doesn't offer experiences quite the way that school can.

In non-me related news, Hillview UMC just became the first reconciling United Methodist Church in the whole state of Idaho!  They have now affirmed that We are a Reconciling Congregation, welcoming all persons into full participation in the life of the congregation regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identity, family configuration, racial or ethnic background, economic status, or mental or physical abilities.  As we journey to the reconciliation of all persons as children of God, we celebrate our human family's diversity.  I am really proud to be sponsored by a Reconciling congregation, and I will continue to hope that more churches take this stand.  Hopefully someday this will be a standard for all UMChurches rather than a statement that sets a church apart.