Bridging Gaps

Across the river, FBI raids bust through Bloods and Latin King strongholds, in the most violent city in New York State. One of these days I hope that my sister across the river, former Queen City of the Hudson, will reign in peace. On days I feel 200 years old, I am still mourning for a west-drifted church. One of these days, I hope for storefront action and hope. As the promises of possibility drift around the edges of everything but the center.

I spent today at the ARDC conclave in New York...took my first Hudson river ride since moving to Beacon. My first Hudson train ride ever, actually--though I know all the others like the back of my hand...I walked away with insights and inspiration, especially for worship. Most important gift was the insight that the Be Present work my friends and I are already doing is on the right track-- that building deep and lasting relationships, having the conversations beneath the surface across lines of difference IS the heart of anti-oppression and the heart of growing multi-cultural congregations. We have only begun to bring this work, these conversations, into the congregation, though. Finding ways to bridge gaps between communities through shared worship and justice work, to create more solid alliances, might be the next step forward...it's baby steps right now... and maybe sometimes giant leaps? Will we, can we get there? We are sending out prayers for restoration.