Over the last few months we've been traveling across the country holding grassroots forums on faith, politics and American life. We’re sitting down with interfaith, ecumenical groups and having conversations about Barack, his values and his history of leadership in this critical conversation, and we're asking folks to join this movement.
But more importantly, we’re listening. From Charleston, South Carolina to Nashua, New Hampshire and various towns in between, we’re hearing folks tell their stories about how faith motivates them to work outside of the four walls of their house of worship. We're talking about how we each can be active in our own communities, bridge the gaps that divide people of faith, and fundamentally change the way we approach faith and politics in this country.
In large groups and small meetings people are coming together across racial, ethnic and religious lines and finding points of common ground.
In Orangeburg, SC we heard Martha, a grandmother and member of a local A.M.E. church, talk about how the lack of housing for disabled seniors in Orangeburg County is a moral issue, and something the next President should tackle head-on.
In Portsmouth, NH two folks who paired up for a group exercise discovered that they grew up just a few miles from each other in Cincinnati, OH, but because of segregation in housing and schools, they never met. We were able to reflect on the role of faith in healing racial wounds, old and new, and what Barack’s life and work has to say about that. The two participants walked out of that conversation together – still chatting about their previous lives in Cincinnati, and their futures there in Portsmouth.
We also heard from Margaret, a Methodist minister in Cedar Rapids who had a story to tell about the first time she met Senator Obama. I thought she had a wonderful testimony, so I asked her if she'd mind writing it up for the blog. Here's her story:
I first met and shook the hand of Barack Obama in Bethlehem. We had left Israel behind and left our bus to move through two rings of security on our approach to the Church of the Nativity on foot. Our Arab Christian guide was sharing some of the history of the area and the buildings there in the plaza when he was interrupted by five black SUVs screeching up. Our guide was in a panic and wanted us to melt into the wall. I watched as security emerged from the vehicles, spotting rooftop "guns" as they made visual checks. Even having traveled well beyond the average, it is hard to decide if you have never felt safer or more insecure. Then Barack stepped out of the center car. I left our small circle and walked right into the middle of his security detail saying something as profound as, "Barack Obama, I want to shake your hand." He was generous of spirit, as I would have expected. He asked where we were from, shared a few words and moved on to keep his schedule. Our guide was horrified. Others in the group asked who this was. I simply told them that they had just met the first Black President of the United States. When asked how I knew him, I said that he was a Senator from Illinois. When asked how I knew that, I reported that he had given the keynote speech at the last national Democratic convention. The Church of the Nativity has a very small entrance. It is a square cut in stone about three feet thick and less than five feet high. It is quite like entering a cave. There is a dip worn in the stone where hundreds of thousands of feet have stepped over centuries. As I stooped and stepped to get through that opening and realized how much farther Barack had to stoop to enter the same door, I was struck with a confidence that if anyone can figure out how to make way for the emergence of peace in this critical situation, it was Barack Obama. I felt a certainty that he would be able to grasp what I was experiencing the people desiring on all sides: peace with security and independence. I have not thought of myself as a political activist since 1968 when I walked away from a destructive, dehumanizing political process for the mission field. I have not turned completely around. I still serve as a minister, but I serve with more hope for our political possibility than I have had in years. Thank you, Mr. Obama, for your audacity. Margaret Helen, Iowa
The conversations that we're having are rooted in who Barack is as a man, a Senator and a candidate. From his earliest days organizing people of faith in the south side of Chicago to his groundbreaking speeches, interviews and dialogues on faith and politics, Obama, with so many of you, has sought to help mend the tears in our national religious fabric, and bring people together to put their faith into action to bring about change.
When you join Faith - Action - Change, People of Faith for Barack, we'll be sure to let you know when a Faith - Action - Change forum is coming to your area.
In the meantime, take good care. Blessings to you.
-Joshua
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