Unity in Diversity...

"The beauty and uniqueness of life lies in the unity of diversity."  

- Mikail Gorbachev

Ponder with me Gorbachev's wisdom: "The beauty and uniqueness of life lies in the unity of diversity." I deeply resonate with his words.  On the surface level, I love the art, food, and music of different cultures. I learn so much from people have been shaped by different upbringings.  But all too often, we confuse "unity" with uniformity, and "diversity" with divisiveness.

In my first call, I served a congregation that ultimately became home to people coming from sixteen different nations. (Potlucks were amazing!) At the time, we had no idea how unique we were. It was, for us, a living experiment of the beloved community. This was all before the angst of 9/11. I look back and wonder if such diversity would even be possible today.

To be sure, there were challenges. We covered the whole theological spectrum. On Memorial Day, when we recognized veterans, we honored people who had served on opposite sides during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  For us, there was a humbling, tender sense that only God's grace could have made our fellowship possible. There were many who sojourned with us that were not (at least initially) Christians.   Indeed, God's call to us was to welcome the stranger on a daily basis: not necessarily to make the stranger one of us, but to afford the space where they might find the space to discover what made them alive--fully alive!

We didn't try to smooth over our differences. Instead, we focused on what we could agree upon: our shared call to "renew the ruined city" in which we were located (Isaiah 61:4). To the degree that we focused outward, we were united in our desire to restore and renew.

As I read the list, I am given an answer to my question as to "why is unity in diversity so hard?" Simply put, living in intentional community is hard--especially in changing times. Arrien believes that the intentional practice of community requires four very particular practices:

1. Showing up and choosing to be present.
2. Paying attention.
3. Telling the truth.
4. Surrendering an attachment to a particular outcome.

Peter Block found her practices so compelling that he wrote a book called The Structure of Community. In it, he suggests that we approach our shared life narratively; that is, that we write "a new story based on restorative community: one of possibility, generosity, (and) accountability." As one who is drawn to the power of narrative, I find real invitation in Block's suggestion.

How is God calling you to celebrate our unity in diversity?

With Blessing,

Debbie Rundlett

General Presbyter 

Holy Habit: Practice Community

Reflect on Angeles Arrien's four practices of community:

1. Showing up and choosing to be present.
2. Paying attention.
3. Telling the truth.
4. Surrendering an attachment to a particular outcome.

Which practices comes most easily to you? Which is most difficult? How is God calling you to be more intentional in your practice of community?