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"My hope for this trip
was that the youth would catch some of the passion I have for justice
and understand the social realities that create injustices. Little did I
know that I would be so inspired myself! This week, while draining me
physically and mentally, has fanned the flames in my soul to fight for
all those who are less fortunate.... I know I will always remember this
experience..."
-guest reflection |
Download the newsletter.
Rev. Dr. Deborah DeMars Conrad, Executive Pastor 502-778-7211 PO Box
11434 Louisville, Kentucky 40251
Secret No More
Jequa has a secret follower. You remember Jequa… the computerized
doll we acquired last spring. When Jequa became part of our program,
I gave him an email address and put his photo on our website,
inviting folks to take him seriously as a teacher. Someone
apparently has done just that. This morning I got an email
indicating that Jequa has a secret follower. Seriously.
Just what does a secret follower do, we might wonder... Are they
like private investigators paid to spy, to follow at a distance,
close enough to glean a few details and damning evidence, but
distant enough never to be noticed? (That is apparently not the
case, or he/she would have noticed Jequa is a cute-but-not-so-cuddly
computer.) Are they more like groupies, getting a buzz from the
association with someone famous? (No again; the only buzz is more
like a burp or some other simulated bodily function.) Anyway, either
one of those is way different from disciples, not at all secret, but
following closely enough to get the whole picture, closely enough to
be moved, closely enough to be changed. Jequa's secret follower is
on a dead-end street. Jequa is still a doll – programmed to need
attention. He needs to be fed, diapered, rocked, pampered and held.
His computer makes a notation if he is shaken, placed on this
stomach, ignored. He has no independent thoughts or passions or
revolutionary slogans.
What’s to follow?
Whatever our faith practice, there is likely someone or something
beckoning us to follow – Jesus, Torah, Muhammad and others. In this
political season, there are folks asking us to follow them. Ideas,
slogans, passions abound. Do we know enough? Are we following
closely enough to know? Do our faith and our politics call us in two
different directions? Hard as we may try to separate church from
state and vice versa, faith questions and political questions are
not really easily separated. It's the tension of our lives.
UrbanSpirit is dedicated to reconciling the two -- or bringing the
tension into the open. No secrets here, just open conversation about
things of immense importance.
Summer Space for You If you're thinking a mission trip may be just
the thing for summer, think of UrbanSpirit.
Check it out!
Another way to help... If you're inclined to support us, you can
send a check to our PO Box shown above, or make a credit card
donation through our secure PayPal link. We are thankful for you!
blessings, deb |
"This week was amazing! I never thought being deprived
of everyday necessities would be so impacting. I will
never forget this experience."
-guest reflection
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