The conference for BFW was held in Washington DC, specifically American University. We spent a day and a half in workshops, discussing how we can invision a world without poverty and hunger. The last day was devoted to lobbying in front of our senators and representatives/foreign aid staff, also known as Lobby Day.
Washington DC is one of my favorite cities I have visited. It has an energy that is a mix between the underlying history of our nation and also the diversity of a city at the brink of what seems to be the blood, sweat and tears of working individuals. It is also full of power and aggressive tactics of people who do not know the meaning of a 9-5 work day. This type of environment was also reflected in the people I encountered at Bread for the World. A woman heading to Africa to use her love for writing to advocate for women who have a life expectancy of 38, a young woman headed to Northwestern whose parents came here from Haiti and who loves Michelle Obama more than myself, which is a hard task. Also, many powerful people involved in the push for the service God is calling us for related to the homeless and the poverty stricken. A man, who Newsweek deemed one of the top 8 people to watch for in 2009 and a speaker at BFW, called our generation the "anoited generation". Not the generation of facebook and twitter but a generation capable of leading us out of poverty and economic disparity.
I took two workshops, one concerning how we tell our stories and the power in our stories. The other one focused on photography and how we use these photos to tell a story. All the photographers used their art to convey messages about other cultures or growing social injustices.
The most invigorating part of the trip was definitely Lobby Day. We had set interviews with Senator Ben Nelson and Senator Mike Johanns. We were lobbying not for money but for reform to a bill entitled H.R. 2139 "The Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act". Asking senators to support this piece of legislation that is soon to be introduced. The Reform Act is initiating more sustainable ways we can interact with countries in order to reduce poverty. I thought I would be more nervous but we got a lot of training and information regarding the bill itself. Then everyone at the conference split into their different regional groups and then into seperate states. We were lucky to have an experienced lobbyist who had been doing work in foreign policy reform, who was originally from Egypt. He gave us many pointers on how to most effectively communicate. It was very comforting to know that Senator Johanns took the time to hear what we had to say and that he was willing to hear what we had to say regarding the bill. It was also exciting to be so passionate about a very bi-partisan issue such as fighting for the eradication of poverty and hunger.
Overall what I took away was that hunger does not know a race, a culture or type of person. You can set out to accomplish many things in life but sometimes the razor's edge of a world of unknowns can tornado you into an unexpected journey. I can see the effect that Bread for the World, as well as, my continued understanding of the ministries in Omaha is having on me. A person asks me for change and I am slow to say no. I am even quicker to provide dignity above all else, even if I am not comfortable in providing money. For now the feeling of hunger comes and goes but as it passes through me I can't help but remember those with constant hunger and how paralyzing that is. I think I finally understand what Johnny Cash was singing about in Folsom Prison Blues, that if God meant all, the prisoners, the homeless should be reached just as much as and just as devotly, as a mega church pursues its message of Jesus Christ as our Savior. All means All.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Annual Conference: A step onto foreign soil
I once heard that great leaders do not need to provide the answers, at least not all the time. They should be generous in providing questions that are agents of change and conversation. This is comforting to know, as I have many questions and I am following a path to leadership in ministry that has been paved, graveled and flowered with various questions about the church and our global world.
My first step...
It is unrealistic to assume complete certainty when you enter the unknown or a foreign place. Ther is an existing language and way of handling matters, that is better not to judge but to simply experience or get a taste of. The beautiful thing when stepping onto any foreign terrain your basic senses are on full alert to anything to help you make sense of it. My mind lends itself to the way people comunicate, how they treat each other. I am constatnly searching for what it is that makes people find common ground. The conference proved itself to be very interesting in terms of communication between people. How does a church body make decisions? What does "all" mean? What are we communicating to our youth members? These are all valid questions that find their way into my heart.
However, what I'll take away from the conference were found in a collage of simple moments.
The first piece...
A sermon given by Rev. Charlotte Abram asking us, "What do we want on our tombstone?". On every tombstone their is a dash in between the year of birth and the year of death and it is up to us to decide, what will we fight for? What will we stand up for? She gave the example of a Ku Klux Klan rally, where protestors of the Ku Klux Klan started to beat a KKK member. A brave soul emerged from the crowd and threw herself on top of the KKK member, she was African American. When the woman was asked why she did it she said, "It was the right thing to do." What we choose to fight for and what we choose to stand up for are defining moments in our life but Rev. Charlotte said we dont need to worry about, "where to walk because God is leading our footsteps and all we have to do is take that first step".
The second piece...
A group of Youth got up to the microphone and made their requets known for a more inclusive church. As a collective body of young people some of the requests were more modern music, an ability to serve on committees so their thoughts and ideas are made readily known to church elders. Their final pronouncement was, "we are not the future of the church, we are the church". Its so clear that there needs to be a stronger presence of youth, ages 18-35, in our church families and communities. It was inspiring to meet so many people working towards this but also to see the long road ahead if we want to get anything accomplished in inspiring youth.
The third piece...
One of the most important areas I witnessed was conflict. Conflict in discerning how to provide money from the budget to our camps. It was the first time I witnessed a debate involving the leaders of the UMC. Some of the debate made me want to pursue a career inside the church and some of the debate made me think I was more suited for extension ministries. Of course, my future does not rest solely on the opinions and spoken words of others. If anything it solidified my opinion that if the church plans on existing and being affective it must set its sights on being inclusive in every sense of the word. Inclusive for young people and even, dare I say it, for Ku Klux Klan members as well.
As I walked out of the Cornhusker with my head full of ideas and notions about the UMC, I boarded a plane taking me to Washington D.C. for a Bread for the World conference. A faith organization aimed at eliminating poverty and hunger.
My first step...
It is unrealistic to assume complete certainty when you enter the unknown or a foreign place. Ther is an existing language and way of handling matters, that is better not to judge but to simply experience or get a taste of. The beautiful thing when stepping onto any foreign terrain your basic senses are on full alert to anything to help you make sense of it. My mind lends itself to the way people comunicate, how they treat each other. I am constatnly searching for what it is that makes people find common ground. The conference proved itself to be very interesting in terms of communication between people. How does a church body make decisions? What does "all" mean? What are we communicating to our youth members? These are all valid questions that find their way into my heart.
However, what I'll take away from the conference were found in a collage of simple moments.
The first piece...
A sermon given by Rev. Charlotte Abram asking us, "What do we want on our tombstone?". On every tombstone their is a dash in between the year of birth and the year of death and it is up to us to decide, what will we fight for? What will we stand up for? She gave the example of a Ku Klux Klan rally, where protestors of the Ku Klux Klan started to beat a KKK member. A brave soul emerged from the crowd and threw herself on top of the KKK member, she was African American. When the woman was asked why she did it she said, "It was the right thing to do." What we choose to fight for and what we choose to stand up for are defining moments in our life but Rev. Charlotte said we dont need to worry about, "where to walk because God is leading our footsteps and all we have to do is take that first step".
The second piece...
A group of Youth got up to the microphone and made their requets known for a more inclusive church. As a collective body of young people some of the requests were more modern music, an ability to serve on committees so their thoughts and ideas are made readily known to church elders. Their final pronouncement was, "we are not the future of the church, we are the church". Its so clear that there needs to be a stronger presence of youth, ages 18-35, in our church families and communities. It was inspiring to meet so many people working towards this but also to see the long road ahead if we want to get anything accomplished in inspiring youth.
The third piece...
One of the most important areas I witnessed was conflict. Conflict in discerning how to provide money from the budget to our camps. It was the first time I witnessed a debate involving the leaders of the UMC. Some of the debate made me want to pursue a career inside the church and some of the debate made me think I was more suited for extension ministries. Of course, my future does not rest solely on the opinions and spoken words of others. If anything it solidified my opinion that if the church plans on existing and being affective it must set its sights on being inclusive in every sense of the word. Inclusive for young people and even, dare I say it, for Ku Klux Klan members as well.
As I walked out of the Cornhusker with my head full of ideas and notions about the UMC, I boarded a plane taking me to Washington D.C. for a Bread for the World conference. A faith organization aimed at eliminating poverty and hunger.
Monday, June 8, 2009
First days as a summer intern
Hello and Good Tidings to all,
I have not wandered very far, actually a hop, skip and a 45 minute drive to Omaha. A city that deserves some exploring due to its diversity and communities but before I wander too far into pontificating on the world around me, some background information may be helpful.
I am an intern with Reverend Stephanie Alschwede where she is a pastor at Dietz Memorial United Methodist Church. I am also working one day a week at the Big Garden (www.gardenbig.org) and the Blue Flamingo Thrift Store (www.blueflamingo.org) both non profits the labor and care of the amazing people here in Omaha. These non-profits are centered around aspects of social justice and are teaching agents of breaking down barriers within comunities and individuals. I struggle to find the words to describe both of these organizations for they are so progressive and innovative, I feel as if I am still learning about how these non profits function and benefit everyone involved.
The other aspect of this internship is the start of my discernment process. Where I am deciding what calls me to Seminary. Sort of a summer think tank, if you want to use that metaphor, for discovering my spiritual gifts. I will be interviewing women in the United Methodist Church about their own faith journey, as a way to strengthen and become more creative about my own role in Seminary and my walk with God.
This last week was an amazing crash course into the inner workings of a non-profit, rethinking my role within seminary and meeting people with such a passion for what they do. Throughout the summer I want to take the time to reflect, one way being through this blog which I hope provides a connection with congregation members at FUMC. You are able to post comments so feel free to let me know your thoughts.
This week I am headed to YAC and then Washington DC for a Bread for the World conference. More updates to come for sure...
take care,
e
I have not wandered very far, actually a hop, skip and a 45 minute drive to Omaha. A city that deserves some exploring due to its diversity and communities but before I wander too far into pontificating on the world around me, some background information may be helpful.
I am an intern with Reverend Stephanie Alschwede where she is a pastor at Dietz Memorial United Methodist Church. I am also working one day a week at the Big Garden (www.gardenbig.org) and the Blue Flamingo Thrift Store (www.blueflamingo.org) both non profits the labor and care of the amazing people here in Omaha. These non-profits are centered around aspects of social justice and are teaching agents of breaking down barriers within comunities and individuals. I struggle to find the words to describe both of these organizations for they are so progressive and innovative, I feel as if I am still learning about how these non profits function and benefit everyone involved.
The other aspect of this internship is the start of my discernment process. Where I am deciding what calls me to Seminary. Sort of a summer think tank, if you want to use that metaphor, for discovering my spiritual gifts. I will be interviewing women in the United Methodist Church about their own faith journey, as a way to strengthen and become more creative about my own role in Seminary and my walk with God.
This last week was an amazing crash course into the inner workings of a non-profit, rethinking my role within seminary and meeting people with such a passion for what they do. Throughout the summer I want to take the time to reflect, one way being through this blog which I hope provides a connection with congregation members at FUMC. You are able to post comments so feel free to let me know your thoughts.
This week I am headed to YAC and then Washington DC for a Bread for the World conference. More updates to come for sure...
take care,
e
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