From Rev. Elizabeth Flomo, LVC Recruitment Desk

A few days ago, I attended an ISAIAH clergy event in Minnesota (my first time at such an event for primarily clergy & spiritual leaders connected with ISAIAH). There were over 120 clergy and faith leaders gathered, from across MN. The theme was Healing the Breach: Better Together.

I was particularly struck by the words of Doran Schrantz, ISAIAH’s Executive Director, calling us to place God and love back and the center of our common life. Doran noted that ISAIAH’s work as a non-partisan organization does not mean staying silent in the face of heresies currently being spoken in the U.S. Yes, heresy – a strong word, yet true.

There is a narrative abounding in U.S. political rhetoric right now that denies the love of Christ, God’s call to shalom, the philosophy of Ubuntu and loving kindness – it states “I am not you and you are not me and I should fear that which is not me.” This is the opposite of loving your neighbor as yourself; this attitude flies in the face of God’s perfect love for us casting out all fear; this rhetoric forgets that we are many people, united in one humanity.

We are better together because we have been created to live in relationship – with one another and with God. These relationships can be hard and messy, but at no time does that difficulty diminish my or your humanity.

I see and give thanks for this call to real and complex relationship lived out in LVC’s practice of intentional community; from the challenges & joys in LVC house communities, to alumni carrying that intentionality with them after their LVC year, to the commitment we make to walk with one another as LVC staff & board, and it is good.