Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. — Margaret Mead
Yeah, but what if we linked up several of those groups? — Rev. Joanna
This week, I had the first of what I hope will be many lunches with Pastor Ryan Hart of Open Cathedral and Rabbi Rebecca Reice of Congregation Shir Ami. Open Cathedral, whom you may know from their support for Drag Queen Story Time in Leander, is now sharing our space. Three clergy people, all coming from the same building! We talked about how all three of us are excited at the chance to run into each other in the halls, share ideas, and be proximate colleagues.
Whether we call it Tikkun Olam, Kin-dom of Heaven, or Beloved Community, all three of our congregations are committed to creating inclusive and affirming congregations, and building a world of justice and love. We have already often been shoulder to shoulder, whether it is down at the Capitol rallying for human rights, marching in a Pride parade, or speaking out a school board meeting.
What might we create in our little corner of the world – together?
Here at Live Oak, we’re having conversations about who we are, as a congregation, and what is our purpose. This October, we will celebrate our 30th anniversary. And we are not the same church we were 30 years ago. We are not even the same church we were 2 years ago.
What is important to us? What dreams might we turn into reality?
Henry David Thoreau said, “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” But our first step is to envision those castles in the air. I hope you can come to church on March 20. I’ll be sharing some of my vision in a sermon titled, “Live Oak 2032.” But any “castles” I have are only one person’s dreams. After the sermon, we’ll have an all-ages dreaming session where everyone will be invited to share their ideas.
We’ll be building castles in the air about what we’d like to see within our congregation, and out in the wider world. And once we know what our castles are for the wider “parish,” I can’t wait to see who is already at work laying those foundations, and how we might collaborate and conspire together.
Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. (often credited to Ralph Waldo Emerson)