We were at a conference on Christian Community Development work in Michigan, and it was wonderful to be with hundreds of people who want to live out Jesus' teachings on justice and mercy and walking humbly with God. These are people from all walks of life, all age groups, and many countries. It was a time to learn, to reflect, reimagine, reengage, to sit in the quiet with my own discomfort. I did not agree with everything that was said, I did not pick up all the different causes, I did not enjoy all the songs, but that was a good thing. I don't want to live in my own silo and hear my own voice, I needed to hear other voices, other opinions. We learned about strategic planning, and how to run an after-school program, we learned about relocation, and gentrification, we learned about mercy and justice. We heard stories, cried, laughed, rejoiced and enjoyed each other's company. It was good to be in a space where we knew where our hearts were and did not have to dig into political associations. We did not agree on
everything, did not see eye to eye on some issues, but we got to sit in the room with difference and
learn from each other.
Now, being back home, I need to reflect on it, think through things I learned and how to implement some of them in my life and the work we do. But I also know that I cannot do it all, that I am a small part of what amazing things are going on in Merced. There are non-profits, faith groups, political organizations, associations, and government agencies all trying to make a difference, all made up of people who care enough to act, to make Merced a better place to live. We get to do this work together.
At the end of the 4-day conference, we closed with a prayer: "MAY GOD BLESS YOU with discomfort, at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships so that you may live
deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. May God bless you with tears, to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done, to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor" (attributed to St Francis).