Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Pray without ceasing. If necessary, use words.” I take this statement to mean that our beliefs and our values should come through everything that we do: the way we carry ourselves, how we spend money, the words we choose to speak, and how we treat others. Yes, professions of faith and explanations of beliefs can be powerful, but the everyday choices – or way of proceeding – may carry even more weight. I believe the same is true for organizations, especially mission driven organizations such as Sophia Christi. I think that our way of operating and proceeding says just as much about who we are as a community as our mission statement.
Though gathering to share in a justice-centered, inclusive liturgy is what brings the community together, there are many other actions that allow the community to live out its prophetic voice. This belief in the importance of “the way of proceeding” and how it reflects the values of an organization are what motivated me to join the parish council. For me, the parish council is not something “extra” or “separate” that I do for Sophia Christi, it is an inextricable part of my belonging to the community. For me, the meetings are a form of prayer – perhaps less meditative or poetic than other ways – which allow me to consider how the mission is lived and how each decision reflects the community’s commitment to inclusivity, spiritual healing, and the social teachings of Jesus. In sum, the way we pray and the way we make decisions together are essential parts of living out our mission. So pray with the community. Attend a parish council meeting. Donate your time, talent, and treasure. Be spiritually fed by the community. I invite you to find your role in Sophia Christi’s way of proceeding — Danielle, Portland
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