Staying Open

So, I made it to Stony Point last night after a long journey and we automatically started into orientation. Anyone that knows me pretty well knows that when it comes to my energy, I am an introvert: I need my alone time to recharge. After a long day of travel and intorductions to 66 other people, I was ready to call it a night.

But what made last night amazing and kept me awake was the music. I have been wanting to introduce the Canticle of the Turning to my church for awhile but never got around to it. It speaks to the turning of the world, and was such a comforting song to hear my first night in a new place:

1. My soul cries out with a joyful shoutthat the God of my heart is great,And my spirit sings of the wondrous thingsthat you bring to the ones who wait.You fixed your sight on your servant's plight,and my weakness you did not spurn,So from east to west shall my name be blest.Could the world be about to turn?

Refrain: My heart shall sing of the day you bring.Let the fires of your justice burn.Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,and the world is about to turn!

2. Though I am small, my God, my all,you work great things in me,And your mercy will last from the depths of the pastto the end of the age to be.Your very name puts the proud to shame,and to those who would for you yearn,You will show your might, put the strong to flight,for the world is about to turn.

3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower,not a stone will be left on stone.Let the king beware for your justice tearsev'ry tyrant from his throne.The hungry poor shall weep no more,for the food they can never earn;There are tables spread, ev'ry mouth be fed,for the world is about to turn.

4. Though the nations rage from age to age,we remember who holds us fast:God's mercy must deliver usfrom the conqueror's crushing grasp.This saving word that our forebears heardis the promise which holds us bound,'Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God,who is turning the world around.

Y'all should look it up if you have a chance!

Today was our first of many presentations for orientation. Everyday we will talk about discernment and self care in the morning and then have a plenary type session in the afternoon. Today the plenary was about race and gender in mission work. I felt right at home. At Beloit, I was lucky to have MANY conversations about the complexity and interconnectedness of race, gender, and class, and my positionality with all of the identities that we use to define ourselves. Our speaker was an awesome woman. She defined herself as a "1.5 generation Queer Latina of Puerto Rican descent" and spoke from her experiences as a woman, as part of the church, and as a thoughtful, intelligent person. One of the ideas that stuck with me the most was when she talked about the lack of critical thought in society and churches today; that we are taught what is most beneficial for the "center" and not necessarily for everyone, or what she called the "borderlands". That is definitely an idea that will stick with me.

So, I am starting my adventure and missing everyone already. I can't wait to get to Tucson to start with BorderLinks . One benefit to being out in the middle of New York: the stars are beautiful! And I have found some friendly and familiar faces in the crowd.

I have limited internet up here. Once I get to my final destination, I will be sure to leave some more love.

One love. One heart.

Food for Thought: Jason Carney: Southern Heritage. We talked about the constructions that race and gender create for us and Jason Carney, a white man, has some interesting ideas about it.