Today I went to a luncheon for the Women’s Fund of Miami. What a wonderful beginning to my work in Miami! These luncheons happen four times a year for grantee organizations of the Women’s Fund. A room full of hard-working representatives of amazing organizations that serve women in Miami. Awesome.
We were split into smaller groups to discuss what our own organizations are doing, and how our organizations can work together in the future. As I've just started working with the Miami Workers' Center and South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice, I could only speak briefly about what I knew, and then sit and listen to passionate, intelligent women talk about their own organizations.
Of my small group, there was a variety of organizations represented- such as an organization that promotes breast cancer prevention for low-income individuals, and a resource center and residential facility for homeless women and infants. It was so wonderful to have a chance to hear about the other programs in the Miami area, and to meet some of the passionate individuals who work for them.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Prayer of Archbishop Romero
Welcome to my new blog! I chose to name my blog "We are workers" because of the Prayer of Archbishop Romero (which is posted below).
Especially after serving in the Philippines, I go into this year very aware of the American preoccupation for working and fixing things. I come to Miami and into a new year as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) to learn from my new community; and to give whatever skills, talents, and passion I have. Archbishop Romero's prayer reminds me that I am here temporarily. I am trying to do go and to serve others, but I am just one of a larger, long-term community that is working to fulful the master builder's plans.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me as a YAV, I am so excited to start this year!
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying
that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation
in realizing that. This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well. It may be incomplete,
but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference
between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Amen.
Especially after serving in the Philippines, I go into this year very aware of the American preoccupation for working and fixing things. I come to Miami and into a new year as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) to learn from my new community; and to give whatever skills, talents, and passion I have. Archbishop Romero's prayer reminds me that I am here temporarily. I am trying to do go and to serve others, but I am just one of a larger, long-term community that is working to fulful the master builder's plans.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me as a YAV, I am so excited to start this year!
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying
that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation
in realizing that. This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well. It may be incomplete,
but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference
between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Amen.
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