We were called into silence and
asked to say the words from texts, songs, or leaders that keep us going in our
justice work. My eyes were closed and a busy morning rush of hanging direction
signs and helping lost guests navigate the building quickly dropped from my
mind and body.
The sacred space we entered was a
gift I gladly received. Voices called out Biblical verses, well-known lines
from ballots and hymns, poetry, and lines from public addresses. We were 110
faith leaders from thirteen different traditions hosted at United for a day to
learn about storytelling, effective listening, and organizing within our faith
communities to defeat a constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one
man and one woman in MN. That powerful opening reminded of what happens when
people of faith come together to work for justice and equality. I was reminded
of why I chose to be in seminary instead of other places of higher education
such as a school of public policy or law school where I could also work for
justice.
I was proud to share more about United
as participants of who knew I was a seminary student asked me more about the
school. There were many reasons to feel proud. The night before the training an
interfaith group of leaders hosted a worship service at a local synagogue. United
alumni were among 29 clergy who lit candles in remembrance of the 29 states
where we have lost similar ballot measures; two United students raised their
voices in powerful words of reflection and reconciliation; I had the distinct
honor of asking for financial contributions to support the faith work; and
another classmate opened the service. The day after at the faith leader’s
training the United chapel’s beauty comforted and held us as we heard the somber
news of where we stand today in terms of polling numbers. I can feel my
connection with United deepen and I move from a student in the classroom to a
faith leader out in the world.
It inspires me to see other United
colleagues actively engaged in the world. There are seven Center for Public
Ministry interns working on faith organizing to defeat the constitutional
amendment in November 2012. The Center launched last year and is dedicated to
equipping the church to be a powerful and sustained force for social justice. I
am grateful for the opportunity to weave together my classroom learning, my
love of prayer and ritual, and my desire to actively work to create a more just
world supported by United. Framing this work in a faith perspective pushes all of
us to do this work from a deeper place focused on connection, healing and love.
Out beyond ideas of
wrongdoing and rightdoing,
There is a
field. I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies
down in that grass,
The world is too full
to talk about.
Ideas, language, even
the phrase each other
doesn't make any
sense.
-Rumi-
- Laura Smidzik, MDiv student
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