Weaving Together the Beloved Community
“What does inclusivity look like here?”
This past week, (Sunday, June 27), we celebrated Open and Affirming Sunday by hearing the great questions offered by Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, a pastor in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If you were not able to hear his presentation, you can go to this youtube page to view and listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFftWxIUuB8
What I have found in over 30 years of ordained ministry is that deep faith tends to have more questions than it has answers. I know the most immature parts of my faith tend to be the places where I have little curiosity while thinking I have all the answers. Questions call to me a journey deeper into the heart of God.
Rev. Mishra-Marzetti was trying to help us get on that journey by taking baby steps. He asked us to do what we can, right where we are. I think he offered excellent questions for us to begin the journey and then augment from there:
What are we bringing our attention and love to? Allowing in that circle of care? What has the pandemic revealed to us?
What does inclusivity look like here?
Who is not a part of our community but living nearby?
Why are some people a part of other communities and not our community?
How can we expand who we are today to live more deeply into open-heartedness, and love and care?
How can we build sustained, ongoing relationships across difference?
How do we begin with other like-minded communities or groups or people that are committed to the same kinds of transformation and growth and embodiment of spiritual goodness, good-heartedness that we ourselves are?
How do we honor the multiplicity of experience without trying to change the other person?
How do we honor ourselves across difference stepping into true authenticity, integrity, and inclusiveness?
I think if we began our mission work by answering these discernment questions, and kept these questions ever before us, we would continue to journey deeper into the heart of God.
In July will appear a Socratic Board. One of my remote mentors in faith is
Dr. Cornel West. Dr. West regularly shares the need for a Socratic faith that asks the most questions to challenge assumptions and liberate us all into God’s goodness and life.
The first question on the Socratic Board will always be a question of imagination beginning with “I wonder. . . . “ The second question will always be about your experience. What great wisdom does your life teach you? The final question will be our “shazam” question. It asks what action is necessary going forward.
Look for the Socratic Board and please participate as we learn from each other!
Shalom,
Mike
