Flannery O’Connor wrote, “There is something in us, as storytellers and as listeners to stories, that demands the redemptive act, that demands that what falls at least be offered the chance to be restored.” There is something in the act of listening and telling stories that have the power to transform us. To tell our story requires vulnerability and courage…
Peacemaking is a skill that requires practice and repetition. Without it, it is difficult to know how to respond when encountering racism in Kansas City, in our families, and wherever we find it. At our last gathering, Nick Pickrell and Iman Al-Hassan led an interactive workshop aimed at equipping people with practical tools to disrupt, distract and diffuse tense situations, especially…
As more white folks are drawn back to the city, individuals and developers are buying up land, businesses, and housing stock. This development displaces people of color, resulting in a cultural & historical loss and perpetuating economic disparities. Are we breaking down the Troost divide in Kansas City, or simply pushing it further east? Last week we shared a conversation…
This post is an overview of our new small group and recap of our meetup in January. This month The Open Table is beginning an ongoing small group gathering for adults who would like to explore or deepen their spiritual practices and build community. It’s called “The Way Is Made by Walking” or just “The Way”. The group will meet…
Institutional discrimination and systemic oppression negatively impact marginalized people in myriad ways, from racism to sexism and classism to heterosexism. It can be dizzying to sort out all of the ways in which dominant groups leverage power that damage disenfranchised groups. It can be even more challenging to build connections between different oppressed groups. Because of these concerns, last Sunday…
This Advent season, we have been reading the Christmas story through the eyes of the oppressed, which continued on Christmas Eve with a service of music and meditations focused on reading the Christmas narrative through the lens of Jesus as liberator. We gathered for a simple worship service at the beautiful Pilgrim Chapel in midtown KC. For a prelude, we…