Todays was the opening of Women's Division meeting. We were up at the Interchurch Center, a beautiful building and a sister to my supervised ministry site, the CCUN. When I got there, I was told that in the same building, Leymah Gbowee was doing a book signing and to promote a new PBS series called Women, War, and Peace.
Leymah Gbowee was one of three women who won a Nobel Peace Prize this morning.
We were changing the schedule of the meetings so everyone could attending the signing. Of course, it quickly moved from a signing to an event with press and her talking and a lot more than the 35 people they'd originally expected. So we entered the chapel at 3pm and waited for her to enter the room. She came in to a sustained standing ovation, and then took to the mic. She talked for a few minutes and then took questions. It was pretty incredible. I've put all the quotes below that I could write down, I'll try to provide context if needed, but hopefully some of her words of wisdom will inspire you. I left the room glowing, it was amazing to be with someone who has such a powerful presence.
I found out later how she found about winning. She was on a flight to New York for the book signing event when her publicist emailed her that she'd won. The people around her were asleep or engrossed in their own books. She tapped a guy near her and said "hey, I just won the Nobel Peace Prize." Someone near them googled it, held up the iPad and said "it IS her."
Here are some bits of her talk to us this afternoon. None of it was prepared. She's hilarious, warm and brilliant. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to be in her presence on such a huge day for her:
Friday, October 7, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Memories of Esquire
My heart hurts today.
I was like a nervous 18 year old away from home for the first time when I arrived in Madison, NJ. I'd had a horrible day of flying, almost missed my flights, bumpy rides, and then a dash from cabs to trains with 900lbs of luggage. By the time I was finally here at Drew, I was exhausted and cranky. My roommate Julie picked me up from the train station and as we pulled into my new home, I had that total panic of "what if this is all wrong."
Waiting in my apartment was Esquire. She was an orientation leader, and was staying with us for a few nights. She looked at me, said "you're not a hugger, I can tell. But I am." And she pulled me into that warm kind of hug that lets you know you are completely loved. She was my first look at what community should be. We stayed up and talked, Julie, Esquire, and I. We talked about how I'd come here, what I wanted to do, and very early on, we talked about why I'm fighting for ordination of gay clergy in the UMC church. It was the last point that sealed our friendship, I think. Esquire is a a gay woman who was so vibrantly called to a life of ministry and was rightfully frustrated that any church would try to invalidate her call.
I felt privileged to be her friend. Everyone loved Esquire, she had such a warm presence and open heart. She became my go-to person when I was frustrated or overwhelmed or just didn't understand why someone was being a jerk. She had wise words that tempered my quick emotions. She had amazing hugs.
Esquire died of a heart attack yesterday morning and I don't really know what to do with that. She is at the heart of this community for me. Her presence in the choir, in the back of my classes, or as an occasional third roommate helped make this my home. It just hurts so much.
Last night some of us had an impromptu gathering, I think just needing to be around other people who were going to miss her too. As we talked about memories, I think all of us remembered her incredible gift of music. Here's a video of her conducting the choir during SPECTRUM's (the LBGTQI caucus) chapel service. I can't watch it yet, but I hope that a few of y'all can be touched by her incredible gift.
My heart just hurts today.
I was like a nervous 18 year old away from home for the first time when I arrived in Madison, NJ. I'd had a horrible day of flying, almost missed my flights, bumpy rides, and then a dash from cabs to trains with 900lbs of luggage. By the time I was finally here at Drew, I was exhausted and cranky. My roommate Julie picked me up from the train station and as we pulled into my new home, I had that total panic of "what if this is all wrong."
Waiting in my apartment was Esquire. She was an orientation leader, and was staying with us for a few nights. She looked at me, said "you're not a hugger, I can tell. But I am." And she pulled me into that warm kind of hug that lets you know you are completely loved. She was my first look at what community should be. We stayed up and talked, Julie, Esquire, and I. We talked about how I'd come here, what I wanted to do, and very early on, we talked about why I'm fighting for ordination of gay clergy in the UMC church. It was the last point that sealed our friendship, I think. Esquire is a a gay woman who was so vibrantly called to a life of ministry and was rightfully frustrated that any church would try to invalidate her call.
I felt privileged to be her friend. Everyone loved Esquire, she had such a warm presence and open heart. She became my go-to person when I was frustrated or overwhelmed or just didn't understand why someone was being a jerk. She had wise words that tempered my quick emotions. She had amazing hugs.
Esquire died of a heart attack yesterday morning and I don't really know what to do with that. She is at the heart of this community for me. Her presence in the choir, in the back of my classes, or as an occasional third roommate helped make this my home. It just hurts so much.
Last night some of us had an impromptu gathering, I think just needing to be around other people who were going to miss her too. As we talked about memories, I think all of us remembered her incredible gift of music. Here's a video of her conducting the choir during SPECTRUM's (the LBGTQI caucus) chapel service. I can't watch it yet, but I hope that a few of y'all can be touched by her incredible gift.
My heart just hurts today.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Can Community Outreach Ever Be Harmful?
Obviously, all the "what I'm actually doing posts" will have to wait until I get home to Jersey, which is very very soon! Here is something I wrote for a forum entry for class, that I thought might be interesting for y'all.
As I'm wrapping up my time (I leave Saturday! Oh my gosh!) I have many thoughts running through my head. But one of the things that has been most interesting for me is being able to observe and interact with some many types of outreach in Memphis. It has given me the opportunity to really examine the methods, but more than that I've come to realize that sustainable success is really dictated by the attitude that one brings to the work.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
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!!
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!!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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.
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.
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 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.
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