Church Basements

I have spent a bunch of time in church basements in the last week. Its where the organizing happens. Sometimes I feel the space under where all the Sunday activities happens, has the most spirit. Its like something is bubbling and will soon spread beyond the walls of the church.

Maybe that is why I am in this program. Well really it’s more of a reminder I am in the right place. And what a joy to be reminded by a former Mission Intern of the strategy of Jesus while sharing about organizing efforts in the Bronx.

Today we gathered in a church basement to work on the birthing process of a new coalition. Sometimes planning meeting with lots of parties has so many ideas what starts as movement gets bogged down and frustrating. But not today. Today we came together because we know all of our organizations care about the rights and dignity of immigrants in our area. We know we have supported each other’s organizations, but it’s time for some strategy. We talked about the current critical issues, but also firmly placed it in the whole global migration arena.

It was moving forward together and for now everyone able to articulate ideas so we stay on the same page. I respect the people around the table so much. Everyone was coming from important work and running back to important things, but we know together will make a better difference. We know together we will be able to respond.

It is so energizing that just like that a coalition was born that will fill an important void. (And it was a lot more work than just like that, but it was just such an exciting spark of a meeting. And since everyone was present we still have a few more people to sign off on the ideas. But I think it is super exciting to remember it may be hard work, but its really not that hard to organize, and strategize and start taking action. Even in our business or doing other great things, we can come together and share our strengths even for 2 hours and start something and set expectations to make it sustainable and grow. We can do that with a spark and some strategy - and we are called to by Jesus example.)

And at Holy week, I guess gathering around a table in a church basement reminds me of Jesus and the disciples. Maybe it’s from Seders in church basements or the type of conversation. I hope you understand.

But it is all a good reminder that the life conquers death.