Beloved Friends,
Starting this week, we will be hearing from our new Director of Community Engagement, George Benson. I have asked George to carve out a little time to keep us focused on this important aspect of our expanding ministry as a downtown community of faith. Some weeks he may be calling us to action, while others may help us dive deeper into the why and how we are called to serve, receiving and offering God’s transformational love in the world. Welcome aboard George and thank you for our new Community Action blog.
May you never forget that you are loved,
Lisa
The World We Want
Advocate for the world we want, not the one we live in. I believe that concept should be the life blood of all community engagement or outreach because it gets to the core of what we are called to as followers of Jesus. Not only are we supposed to be known for our love, but we are to also work toward establishing a kin-dom lifestyle here on earth. What does that mean? For me, it is to work hard with others to ensure justice is at the center of everything we do. It means recognizing that my liberation is wrapped up in the liberation of all peoples, and liberation cannot adequately happen if systems of oppression remain. Justice is how we let the stranger know we love them, because in a world where justice prevails, everyone is taken care of. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be walking through my philosophy of engagement/outreach, giving some hints and updates on things to come, and inviting you all along for that ride. I’m very excited and look forward to this hard work, that is worth doing with all of you. Because as we advocate for the world we want, we will find that in some cases, it may require the willingness to let go of our privilege, and letting the scales fall from our eyes to be open to the world God is calling to build around us.
One way that we are used to engaging in our community, is by providing lunch for the Toledo Streets Newspaper vendors on the 19th. Here is the thing, when it comes to food, I won’t serve or give away something I wouldn’t eat myself, and since it’s winter out we’re making chili (red meat, chicken, and vegan). We’re going to need help ladling into to-go cups, labeling them, putting them in sacks, as well as dividing up various extra goodies, and dropping them off. As always, we are invited to go to TSN and have lunch with the vendors as well. My family and I will be doing that, so we hope you’ll join us!
If you’re interested, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/tsnlunch#/
Grace and peace.
George Benson (he/him)