Community Days:Thursday Highlights
Our Community Days events have been inspiring and educational for all participating in person and online!
The Opening Ritual on Thursday was a display of unity and joy with a beautiful processional, songs, bellringing, hearty welcomes in several languages and prayer.
Sr. Pat Twohill provided a state of the state to all those gathered. Please click here to read.
The evening concluded with a blessing and some time to socialize before Friday's events.
Please go here to see some pictures and a few little videos from Thursday.
Community Days: Friday Highlights
The Friday focus was Land Justice Futures and how it relates to the Congregation.
Sr. Susan Leslie of the Land Justice Focus Committee opened the day by talking about how Land Justice Futures (LJF) can make connections to the Direction Statements by:
-Creating cultures of inclusion by building relationships with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)
-Treasuring Earth by advocating in solidarity with others in caring for Earth
-Prayer and contemplation through reconciliation with those who have been disenfranchised
-Prophetic preaching by using the lens of Truth in all areas of life and mission
-Future of Dominican life through OP Congregations engaging in LJF
Sr. Terri Schell offered scripture from the First Nations Version and The Inclusive Bible.
LJF coaches Jessie Rathburn and Hilary Moore led the daylong workshop.
Attendees discussed tough topics such as the roots of land justice, planned and dreamed of the solutions to the crisis of climate change and racism, and adopted a variety of perspectives in their discussions, symbolized by flowers at each table.
A particularly meaningful portion of the afternoon's discussion was when Sisters and Associates gathered by ethnicity, and persons of color were given the space to speak from their own perspectives and cultures. Many noted that this prioritization is a rare in a wider society.
Sisters and Associates devised priorities for the future and discussed the impact that colonization has had on all people.
The prayer is that all engage in Land Justice Future issues reverently.
Please click here to see some photos from the day - everything from a little outdoor/indoor fun and some singing, and pictures from the LJF workshop.
See you tomorrow!