Parliament of world religions - help and connections needed
Reproductive Justice. Counseling. Water Issues. Education. Intentional community. These are all issues that are dear to me and my religious beliefs energize my work. Over the course of the last year (and the Obama campaign) I've seen exactly how powerful the religious left can be - it's a huge pool of people that can power enormous forward momentum when common goals are backed by combined energy. Many of you know that I am heading to the World Parliament of Religions in Melbourne, Australia in late November. I have a Life List that has been drawn up much like this one, and the Parliament is on it. I keep finding myself in jobs where I get to talk about God everyday, and within my counseling and reproductive justice activities I am always trying to find ways to weave religion in where it is helpful. Watch the video at the bottom, and if you know me at all you will understand why I am so excited about this.
What I want to bring back:
- The ability to talk to religious groups about getting involved in social justice work, environmental work, reproductive rights, interfaith work, etc. (and vice versa, talking to social justice groups about approaching the religious community for help.) I can see webs of connection where almost all movements can benefit from interacting with faith communities (and I mean all faith communities).
Two separate ways you can help:
1) My greatest fear is that I will take part in this incredible, once in a lifetime event and then come home and my focus to share my experiences will peter out in the grind of everyday life. I need help in keeping the work going. I have set up a few talks with churches already after my return; having a few commitments ahead of time will help hold me accountable. So here's where you can help: if you have contacts in a church or organization that might be interested, ask them if they want me to speak or write something for them. If you are involved in any kind of social justice work and are interested in how religious people can get involved, talk to me about it and we can brainstorm! In doing my research and listening to the stories of the older generations, I have truly started understanding the untapped power of religious people (especially the religious left!) in social justice work. Underneath the noisy din of partisan fighting, I think a great legacy has been forgotten regarding religious groups that originally powered the social movements that are now claimed and fought over by said political parties. People know that Martin Luther King was a preacher and invoked God in his work, but it seems that most people my age have no idea that the labor and reproductive justice movements were each in large part birthed by networks of religious leaders. So I welcome any suggestions for places to share the information and experiences I will bring back with me! Perhaps I'll find ways to put my religious studies degree to work after all.
2) Money - Since I work in the non-profit sector I recently found out that there is a good chance that I will not have a job after September. So I decided that one never knows what the universe can provide until I ask - so if you have funds to spare, I'm hiring out my services as babysitter, housecleaner, dreamer, wisher, liar, hoper, prayer, magic bean buyer. I have a whole bunch of books listed on my half.com store (which can be negotiated for via email and bought sans shipping if you are local.) I have a Create-a-fund donations page up if you have enough extra funds that you can just give a little bit. There is an anonymous option if you don't want me to see your info. P.S. to my family - that birthday of mine that's coming up soon? $10 on this page will get you out of a gift...
What I want to bring back:
- The ability to talk to religious groups about getting involved in social justice work, environmental work, reproductive rights, interfaith work, etc. (and vice versa, talking to social justice groups about approaching the religious community for help.) I can see webs of connection where almost all movements can benefit from interacting with faith communities (and I mean all faith communities).
Two separate ways you can help:
1) My greatest fear is that I will take part in this incredible, once in a lifetime event and then come home and my focus to share my experiences will peter out in the grind of everyday life. I need help in keeping the work going. I have set up a few talks with churches already after my return; having a few commitments ahead of time will help hold me accountable. So here's where you can help: if you have contacts in a church or organization that might be interested, ask them if they want me to speak or write something for them. If you are involved in any kind of social justice work and are interested in how religious people can get involved, talk to me about it and we can brainstorm! In doing my research and listening to the stories of the older generations, I have truly started understanding the untapped power of religious people (especially the religious left!) in social justice work. Underneath the noisy din of partisan fighting, I think a great legacy has been forgotten regarding religious groups that originally powered the social movements that are now claimed and fought over by said political parties. People know that Martin Luther King was a preacher and invoked God in his work, but it seems that most people my age have no idea that the labor and reproductive justice movements were each in large part birthed by networks of religious leaders. So I welcome any suggestions for places to share the information and experiences I will bring back with me! Perhaps I'll find ways to put my religious studies degree to work after all.
2) Money - Since I work in the non-profit sector I recently found out that there is a good chance that I will not have a job after September. So I decided that one never knows what the universe can provide until I ask - so if you have funds to spare, I'm hiring out my services as babysitter, housecleaner, dreamer, wisher, liar, hoper, prayer, magic bean buyer. I have a whole bunch of books listed on my half.com store (which can be negotiated for via email and bought sans shipping if you are local.) I have a Create-a-fund donations page up if you have enough extra funds that you can just give a little bit. There is an anonymous option if you don't want me to see your info. P.S. to my family - that birthday of mine that's coming up soon? $10 on this page will get you out of a gift...
Click to view