Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

UU Collective

Home
New Visions
Shine on! Faithful living in a breakable world

Shine on! Faithful living in a breakable world

Last updated on: March 14, 2017 at 8:25 pm by Rev. Deanna Vandiver

Shine on! Faithful living in a breakable world 2017-03-14T20:25:02-06:00 Rev. Deanna Vandiver

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I spend a lot my time and life energy organizing with the New Orleans community inside the walls of a church with no windows. Hearing my boots crunching on the shattered glass on the floor after a brick was thrown through a beautiful window last Sunday at First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans, it occurred to me for the first time that that brave windowless church downtown might not be windowless by accident.

It got me to thinking about all the ways we adapt to the environment in which we live – the weather, the traffic patterns, the thought patterns, the power arrangements. I have learned to look both ways multiple times when crossing a one-way street in New Orleans because I have learned that one-way signs are treated more as suggestions than directions here. I have learned to carry a scarf no matter how hot the day, because it is possible to freeze to death in a well air-conditioned New Orleans summer. I have learned to ask and ask and ask again when trying to get through the layers of mystery surrounding most fiscal policy decisions in Louisiana. The first few answers are rarely the real story.

And I’m wondering what kind of adaptations I and other people of faith standing on the side of love and justice and mercy for people pushed to the margins of survivability in this city and this country will make as we face the fear and anger of those who do not wish to see the current power arrangement dismantled and recreated more equitably. I hope we will breathe in and breathe out, remember that we are not alone, and continue the faith work co-creating beloved community. May we continue to let the light shine in with courage and commitment.

Previous Post

March 9, 2017

Bad Theology=Bad Politics

Next Post

March 16, 2017 Dreaming White

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category #9/11 Abortion Class community conflict Digital Life Diversity Divorce Environmental issues Evangelism Faith Development Foregiveness Garden glbt Gratitude Grief Healing health care Holidays Hospitality Interfaith LGBT Issues Military Service Mortality Orlando Parenting Peace Politics Power Prayer Racism Relationships Religion Scripture Senior citizens Sermons simplicity Social Justice Spirituality Sports Sustainability Uncategorized Unitarian Universalist Values Women's Issues World Community Worship

Select a Month August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many men did Gideon keep from the 32,000?

Select your answer to see how you score.

400 500 200 300