From head… to heart… to hand…

As I understand it, the purpose of ministry is to meet, to listen, to encourage, to include…

I see life not as a clear division of dark and light, of perfection and flaw, but as a circular spectrum of colour, movement and sound. Life is a tapestry where each being is both unique and an integral part of a greater whole.

Each of us, whether aware of it or not, craves being understood, connection, acceptance and respect. We do not always know how to ask for help or where to find that which we truly need. We might think we are all alone or feel unable to trust another.

That is why I stand up and speak out with all my heart for and with the underdog, the vulnerable, the excluded and the oppressed, the sensitive, the rebel, the different and the weird…

I now live in Scotland, but I am much more a citizen of the world, a creature of this amazing planet we all share. As such, I’m happy to offer connection via virtual means or in ‘real’ time. Sometimes, simply knowing there is someone who will listen, just listen, can make a difference. This, I understand.

I don’t have all the answers. I’m still learning. I don’t offer unconditional love… because I am not a saint or perfect being. I offer instead, the best that I can, a listening ear, a helping hand and a compassionate heart.

The ministry of my heart, my calling, has grown from all that I have learned from life, including my own mistakes and the recognition of my human needs and frailties.

The ministry of my heart is grounded in a passion for interfaith dialogue and cooperation. It longs for multigenerational collaboration. It is two-spirited and generous, firmly rooted yet kind.

If I am to summarise all that ministry means to me and how it can change the world, I share here a haiku I wrote long ago, when I was first called:

In darkness and light,

welcoming each one alike,

a candle burns bright.

Image Source: Pixels Free Photos (Media Library)

The answer to this pressing question seems more distant to me right now. Rather than moving on this pilgrimage toward “the vulnerability of community,” it feels like my church congregation is suddenly and painfully falling apart at the hands of fear, control, and the failure to see the image of God in one another. And yet, today I feel peace. I don’t know exactly why, but I choose to slow down, be still in this peace, and receive it as the gift that it is. I wonder how many times I have rushed right past gifts such as this one in my eagerness to “arrive” somewhere or to “accomplish” something in my peacemaking journey. Today, I slow down.

In Module 3 of Journey of Hope, we explored what it looks like to move from interfaith dialogue to interfaith peacemaking. Today’s leg of our pilgrimage began with Maha Elgenaidi, a Muslim woman who is dedicated to the work of combating Islamophobia. I have studied Islam and Christian-Muslim interfaith relationships before, but while listening to Maha, I was struck by the reality that we will not overcome Islamophobia until we address anti-Blackness, and that we are struggling with the current racism problem because of the white-centric way in which history is taught. Next, Sikh advocate, Gurwin Ahuja discussed the importance of recognizing our common humanity over any of our religious differences, as well as the need for us to hold space for open conversation and potential disagreement. Finally, mediator and Anglican Priest Liz Griffiths highlighted the importance of engaging in interfaith dialogue with curiosity rather than assumptions.

After today’s leg of our peacemaking pilgrimage, I am struck with the somewhat uncomfortable realization that I am learning more about what it looks like to follow Jesus from these non-Christian leaders than from my own faith community at this time. I see these faith leaders, as well as my own Muslim friends, reflecting the love and mission of Jesus more than I see from many Christians right now. And with that realization, I feel a refreshing sense of freedom to engage with, listen to, walk with, and learn from people of other faiths where I may have felt a hesitation before. I recognize the liberating love of Jesus which is big enough to embrace all of humanity. This is a freedom I hope my own church congregation can experience. And so, our journey continues.

Image Source: https://www.happify.com/hd/how-to-slow-down-time/