at the table
What does unity look like? I took a seat at three different gatherings last week, each professing the desire to unite congregations across our community for the greater good. In the Venn Diagram of these religious organizations, I was the only point of overlap.
The theme of the Interfaith Alliance meeting was Building Bridges, highlighting the work of the University YMCA that brings together diverse groups to connect and converse. Mennonites, Unitarians, Druids, Lutherans, and other mainline denominations enjoyed Y Thai and strategized unity around sponsoring a Habitat build next fall. Together with the folks at Sinai Temple and Central Illinois Mosque and other congregations, this group shows their faith by their works. Raising the $60,000 needed to sponsor a house, working with people of other faiths and churches, and gathering to bless the space would be a gift to our community. Who is willing to join that kind of unity?
The Ministerial Alliance pastors’ breakfast focused on impacting the community. “I Need You to Survive” played in the background. It was good to connect with Black leaders in our community and I was warmly welcomed. Pastor May Ragland and Pastor Makiya Thomas preached powerfully before breakfast on being steadfast in our commitment. They live out their faith working in schools and public health. I was a bit surprised to hear a few pastors encouraging us to attend the gathering at the Virginia theater the following evening, so I decided to check it out.
Believers from all denominations were invited to Audience of One: A Call to Praise & Worship, that included a sermon on showing we are Christ followers by our love for each other, an appeal for unity. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a mega-church atmosphere, so the balcony seemed like the best place for me. I was glad to see our friend Pastor Ervin T. Williams of Restoration Urban Ministry read scripture at the opening along with a Black woman whose name I didn’t catch. The Christians gathered were more diverse than I expected. The band was talented and the songs were easy to sing, uncomplicated praise and worship. I didn’t know any of the speakers- the white male pastors who organized the event, or the white guy who was the emcee, or the white man preaching- since I hadn’t attended their pastors’ lunches.
How do I process these three different events, all calling for unity? What is my role in these spaces? Do I belong in the unity they preach? I am always interested to see who is at the table and who gets the microphone. How is leadership shared? How do their works demonstrate their faith?
A fun exercise once challenged me (long before I was a pastor) to state a theme that guided my actions in two words. Mine was: “Be There.” (This does explain many of my choices.) I know that I can’t be everywhere; we all have to choose where our presence matters most. So I listen for the Spirit, and ask to be led to the places where I need to be at the table- to learn, to partner, to contribute to the actions of faith. Jesus said,
“This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” John 13:35 (CEB)
Learning how to better love God and love our neighbor through faith put into action is an ongoing journey. May we have the grace to live into this calling more fully- wherever and whenever we are there at the table. -Renée