These words are jarring.
Illusion when our divisions feel so real? When the othering within our families, our cultural communities and political affiliations are widening unbridgeable chasms? When the rainbow has been reduced to only red and blue? How on this good earth can we go from the us and them, the you and me to the we?
This summer began with the retirement of the most gracious Jan Elfers as the president of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. In her 18 years of service to EMO, she forged enduring relationships with individuals, faith communities and organizations. She truly believed and lived the concept of connectedness.
Now in August, as I step in to resume weaving the strands of EMO’s relationships and strengthen community, I invite you to join me in this intention to become the we as we unravel the knots of the us and them and the you and me.
During my years as a chaplain, I imbued my spiritual care praxis with Providence Health Services’ promise – Know me, Care for me, Ease my way. How best to understand one another not only in words, but also in silence – tend to one another – empathize or heal each other’s hurts and trauma’s – confess our own issues – and empty self to be filled by others?
Even now, this promise helps guide my interactions and my personal theology for perceiving the Holy, the Sacred, the Pachamama, the Sophia, and the Science interacting and reciprocating with humanity and creation – the Oikoumene – the whole inhabited earth.
For it is in the knowing, caring and easing the way that we ensure mutuality and wholeness of self and community, and our connectedness. This is my promise as your interim president of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon as we share these tasks together.
Blessings,
