Transforming the Desert

by Michelle Sukup Jackson

We have all faced different temptations just like Jesus did in the desert. Well, maybe not just like Jesus. Our temptations differ from Jesus’: we’re not being tempted to turn stones into bread, or to rule all the kingdoms of the world. We could go through all the major temptations, gluttony, pride, anger…

For me one of the biggest temptations is to look at the world’s problems, or even our local problems and get discouraged by their enormity and my lack of power. If you’ve been to a wedding, ever, you’ve heard the 1 Corinthians verse “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” We’re called as brothers and sisters in Christ to love and care for each other, but in the midst of our busy lives of work, research, families, and friends, it’s tempting to look at the problems of the world and say ‘It’s too much’ and give up before we begin. The key though, is to do something, no matter how big or how small.

One of the traps I find myself falling into is wanting to ‘solve’ a problem, when that might not be how I may best be of service to others because sometimes the solution is bigger than me. Volunteering to build a house with Habitat for Humanity or by giving a sandwich or money to a person on the street won’t solve the national problem of homelessness and hunger, but it can help those individual people. I have to remind myself that while I can’t solve the big problems by myself, my contribution is still meaningful. To actually be a witness for the Kingdom of God, though, we must not act merely out of pity or guilt, but out of love.
 
We begin forming intentional relationships, not just with our family and friends, but also with people whom we may overlook due to distance in status, beliefs, or geography. In our zeal to reach out to people, we must take care not to pick and choose portions of the Bible to justify our actions without taking a critical look at the Bible as a whole. The overarching theme that has persevered through different authors and editors is the theme of love. God’s love for us, our love for God, and our love and support of each other as members of God’s church on earth.

In order to live out the commandment to love each other, we need to be in community with each other; we’re not supposed to be alone. We saw in Genesis that Adam needed a partner and found that partner in Eve. Unfortunately, people throughout history have used this creation story as justification for oppressing or discriminating against different groups of people. Recall what Adam says when God asks if he’s eaten from the tree…He blames the woman….And when God asks Eve about it, she blames the serpent.

This circle of blame is not the way we’re called into community with each other. When we love fully and completely, we don’t try to change others into versions that we can love, we love and affirm them for who they are: conservative or progressive, Greek or Jew, saint or sinner. We saw in the Psalm and Romans that we’re all forgiven and redeemed through the love and sacrifice of Jesus. In our agape-style love, we must work towards equality and justice for all people.
           
Presiding Bishop (or Super-Bishop) Jefferts Schori put this sentiment very eloquently in her book Gospel in the Global Village: ‎"The world is not reconciled as long as some live without—without food, good news, adequate housing, peace, clothing, education, or justice. The work of this church is to build a world of shalom that includes all those versions of God’s dream—adequate food, drink, housing, employment, health, education, equality, and the peace that comes only when true justice is present and available to all."

We know we have the moral and spiritual imperative to fight for justice, and as I said, small things may seem like a mere drop of water in the desert when you’re doing them. When everyone is giving a drop or a cup of water, soon we have an oasis of peace and agape and we can transform the desert into fertile land where the love of God can grow.

The UNCSW- A Young Adult’s Perspective

by Brian Romero

“We must do even better in tapping into women’s strength, women’s industry, and women’s wisdom.” – Michelle Bachelet

 

So often young people hear the age old phrase from our Christian predecessors- “you are the church of tomorrow”. But from February 19^th to the 26^th I found myself among nine other young adults who like myself disagreed with that. We instead believe what The Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church said to us, “we are the church of today”. This was never more evident to my new friends and I then during our visit to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, an annual conference held by the oldest commission of the Economic and Social Council of the UN. With delegates from the Dioceses of Minnesota, Northern California, Tennessee, Louisiana, Idaho, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Los Angeles and last but definitely not least Long Island (myself) the Episcopal Church was represented among many other non-governmental organizations that fight for gender equality.

During our time at the UN and the Episcopal Church Center (815) many of us learned a lot about the structure of our church and its various initiatives in social justice and human rights issues. Advocacy and theology combined in a new way of evangelism for some of us and for others we were educated on the many issues presented by the oppression of women. For the newcomers (myself included) we learned the effect that gender inequality had on the prolonged achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, women’s health and reproductive rights, international peace, education for women and girls, the competiveness of our nation etc. At the NGO orientation of Ecumenical Women, a network of NGO’s which support gender equality, Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and now Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the newly launched UN Women, spoke about the importance of universal gender equality and the many initiatives the new entity would engage in. 

The Episcopal Young Adult Delegation (EYAD) was convened by Jason Sierra, Officer of Young Adult and Campus Ministries of the Episcopal Church Center and P’tricia Egbert. By attending parallel events, side events, caucus meetings, mission briefings and engaging in constant prayer and dialogue with fellow Christians from all kinds of denominations and parts of the world many of us left with similar messages. While we know the church is changing and that new innovative ways of spreading the word of God are being discussed, we must do all we can to continue to defend those who are treated unequally in our many societies and cultures. Women all over the world need to be granted equal rights in the workplace, encouraged to pursue education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), ceased from being victims of violence and put in higher positions of leadership and decision making in all social institutions. The Church must continue to be an advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves and young adults need to be involved in the interreligious and ecumenical dialogue if we are to continue it in the future. My sincere gratitude is extended to Bishop Provenzano for both his financial and spiritual aid during this very important life changing experience. 

The Episcopal Young Adult Delegation with The Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and Conveners Jason Sierra and P’tricia Egbert 

Post UNCSW

by Rachel M. Robinson, Diocese of Tennessee

I meant to do several blog posts while I was in New York, but somehow I didn't have the words to express all that I was taking in.  Now that I've had 48 hours to reflect and "come back to reality," I have so many things to say.  My mind is buzzing with information and possibilities.  First, I have to say how wonderful it was to be around our delegation and other young adults who attended the CSW.  The apathy that usually identifies our generation was nowhere to be found amongst these young adults.  The delegates, young and old, are genuinely concerned about social justice issues and work every day to make this world a more sustainable and peaceful community.  Not only was it inspiring, it fed my soul.  Second, we were continually asked how we would translate all that we've learned into our everyday life.  For me, I want to take the ideas of gender equality, advancement of women, and other advocacy issues, and find a way to incorporate them into my own community.  Being a southerner, I have my work cut out for me.  The south is still plagued by gender and ethnic inequality, poor education, extreme poverty, racism, and a myriad of other issues all of which should be addressed by the faith community.  Unfortunately, many faith communities in the south (and really, everywhere) have used religion to justify acts of hatred and intolerance against humanity.  In my hometown alone, we have several Christian churches where the only use women have is to teach Sunday school.  They aren't even allowed to pray out loud, leaving them with, quite literally, no voice simply because they are women.  I am not quite sure this is what Christ had in mind. Isn't the gospel about radical inclusion?  The poor, the sick, men, women, children, sinners... we all have a place in God's Kingdom because we all are created in His image.  God does not discriminate.  If we really want to live into our faith, we should continually strive to recognize each other as God's Creation, and therefore, we are all valuable.  We must speak out against injustice because when we deny one, we deny all, and we deny God.  The faith community has to lead this movement for radical inclusion.

I had a Jewish studies professor who used to often say, as though to remind us, "What we do or do not do, good or bad, will echo in this world and the next."

To my own community: How will we lead and how will that echo?

Next Steps

Today the Episcopal Young Adult Delegation packed their bags and headed home, flying to Tennessee, busing to Boston, and riding the subway to Queens. After 8 intense days of listening, advocating, fellowshipping and praying they are on their way to do the work of the church in the world, to be Christ's hands and feet. We pray for them as they step out into a new phase of their ministry, emboldened, strengthened and connected in their time here.

We invite you to continue to follow this blog as the delegates share their stories with their dioceses and home communities. Watch for resources, reflections and invitations to join us in this work over coming weeks and months.

A Rich History

by Grace King, Diocese of Connecticut

My original thought upon my arrival was “what am I doing here?” I knew a whole lot less about what was going on at the UN than everyone else. Everyone’s’ passion was so inspiring and I was left wondering what there was left for me or my community to do.  At the NGO Consultation Day, Eleanor Nwadinobi shared an African proverb, “When you see a dog barking at a lion, do not be fooled – there will be a hunter with a gun hiding nearby”. This thought keeps returning to me and I know see that we can all be the dog who barks at the lions of injustice in the hope of attracting the attention of the hunters.

This week has really opened my eyes to the connection between Faith and Advocacy. I have really come to understand that our faith calls on us to advocate for others, especially those whose voices are often lost. And really that faith without advocacy is like peanut butter without the jelly, you don’t have a complete sandwich. All of this has of course reminded me that women’s groups and especially women’s faith groups have been behind many of the major human rights movements in the US. There were many women involved in the abolition movement and in the underground railroad, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union achieved prohibition, women earned their own right to vote, and fought to end child labor. American women have a rich history of fighting for human rights. I was also deeply moved by Margaret Rose’s comment that outreach is really pastoral care to a broken world. This describes yet another way that we can see the intersection of faith and advocacy.

Light and Friendship - Shannon & Greg

Shannon Preston, Minnesota, and Gregory Stark, Idaho and Ohio, preach at the noon Eucharist in the Episcopal Church Center (click to watch)

Seeing the City

Madeline, Shannon and Sarah at Times Square