To Anita Warner, pastor at Advent Lutheran in Morgan Hill, California, “hearing differently” means “opening up to comprehending the lived experience of Black and brown people in this country, and the everyday violence in many forms that they have to navigate.”
Fifty Advent members began cultivating openness by participating in anti-racism training four years ago. A book discussion opens each council meeting. Advent leaders listened carefully to Latino neighbors as together they co-developed the Beloved Community Arts Center, which offers affordable music and arts classes to mostly Latino children.
“Inviting our neighbors to take the lead and set the direction of the programming helped us to learn how to practice just relationships,” Warner says.
This message is excerpted from “Gathered in love” by Anne E. Basye in the May 2021 Gather magazine. Today is the first day of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) in the United States.
There’s still time to register to attend the Just Love Gathering in Phoenix, Arizona, September 21-24, 2023. Will we see you there?
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