If you missed it – we had a great dinner last Sunday. With all sorts of lovely people and lively conversation. As per usual, lots of fantastic folks helped out. An especially enthusiastic thank-you is due to Patti Powell, who led beautiful songs, including a harmonic repetition of yes, Yes, YES. As well as Trevor Malkinson and Sarah Olson for their delicious chili and cornbread.
But I want to go back to the lively conversations part, because it turns out that this sort of spirited dialogue is vital to developing the type of community that I hear people yearning for. What Dr Martin Luther King Jr, in An Experiment in Love, refers to as Beloved Community.
Feminist Sharon Welch describes beloved community as “the matrix within life which is celebrated, love is worshipped, and partial victories over injustice lay the groundwork for further acts of criticism and courageous defiance”. This is what is possible as we gather over food and feelings. And it is what happens when we show up time and again, building relationships capable of sustaining each other through struggle and celebration. In our conversations this month, on self-care, politics & policy, the arts, family, religion, belonging, and reconnecting to nature, people repeatedly spoke of a need for this.
In her book, A Theology for the Bearers of Dangerous Memory, Welch agrees. She emphasizes the power of saying “Your pain is real, your cries are heard, your anger is just, and along with you are many others who mourn and rage”. She calls this power of compassion and anger HOLY. Holy and vital, as we continue working together for a better future for one another.
Which leads to next month’s dinner. April 29th. When Bruce Alexander is going to come and tell some stories about his studies on the importance of communities and social structures of belonging and care. I think it’s nice when academics can support the things that in our hearts we sort of intuitively know, and provide evidence that reinforces it. You should join us.
In fact, you can RSVP now. Bring someone you love. Or someone you don’t know that well, but think might appreciate the invite. Let’s draw the circle wide. See you soon.
Love, Chris.
“Reconnecting to Life”
Beloved leaders and activists Jackie Larkin and Maggie Ziegler are facilitating a weekend long group retreat focused on enlivening and deepening our motivations for creating a just and sustainable world. May 25th – 28th at Stowel Lake Farm on Salt Spring Island. It comes highly, highly recommended. You can find more information here.
The Vancouver Dialogues Project
… aims to build greater understanding and strengthened relations between indigenous and immigrant communities. The Dialogues Youth team is developing a series of youth-led engagement initiatives culminating in a larger collaboration with youth community organizations and partners in Vancouver. Browse their incredible website to learn more!
