Saturday 3/28 - Spirituality

Good morning! 💛

Our sixth component that we are going to challenge you in today, is Spirituality. Spirituality is about your own faith, beliefs and convictions. VISION is directed from the Center for Ministry. The program originated years ago from the Catholic tradition of social justice and the Gospel call to service. VISION is built from students from a wide variety of faith perspectives to explore and share issues of faith. Nightly reflections offer the opportunity to share your own spirituality with others in the light of the day's experience.  

Our program values that diversity – in faith, conviction or belief – makes our community rich and that a key to diversity is self-knowledge. As we come to understand ourselves, we meet each other not with fear or concern, but rather with an eagerness to learn. Grounded in our own commitments, we grow in the understanding of each other and see the world with a wider perspective. 

4 Ways you may experience this component… 

1) Personally, in your heart. Whether you have prior experience with spirituality or this is new to you, on programs we hope that you find time to journal, meditate, pray, or reflect on your daily experiences and the beauty of our humanity. 

2) Spirituality of those you interact with. Several of the partner communities that we travel to have spirituality shaping their outlook on the world. Being open to the sharing of beliefs with those you encounter and learning about the spirituality of others can help you grow in your own. 

3) Human connections. For many people, the idea of experiencing human connectedness of our world is spiritual! Service is a beautiful way to encounter others and find a common hope for our world. 

4) Self and group reflection. A final way VISION hopes you experience spirituality is in our nightly reflections. Reflections are a unique time to encourage deep conversations and share our perspectives on the world. We hope to create an open and safe space for you to process your thoughts and reflect upon spirituality. 

Reading through these ways above, this final day of component challenges will be up to you to create! 

A few closing thoughts. This moment calls for a profound level of community care — the type of care that pulls us beyond ourselves and towards a deep understanding and practice of our interdependence. As a society we have not been great at practicing this type of community care. And yet, each of you are a part of this community because you already embody this immense care and leadership for those around you. As you move through these next weeks, may you hold tight to your loved ones (metaphorically), and lean into love. Thank you for the light you bring to the world!

With love, 

Emma, Alaina, Mackenna, Joey, Andrew M., Julia, Aria, Katie, Andrew S., Maddie, Thuy-Vy, and Noah 

Friday 3/27 - Justice Issues

Happy Friday! 

Today’s component is justice issues. This component focuses on the political, economic, social, historical and religious issues that we learn about and engage in with our partner site communities. Beyond direct service, we strive to learn about the causes and systems of injustice, and the solutions forward from educational opportunities such as presentations and speaking with site leaders.  

Through some VISION programs, abstract issues of justice issues become strikingly real through the stories and work we encounter. Growing in understanding and care for justice issues is a continual process. It involves heaviness through the process of receiving a new understanding and reflecting upon your place in the structures that permit and create such conditions.  

A joy of engaging in justice issues is building relationships with the creative and energetic people and organizations who are striving to address these issues! Some will work on direct needs, and some will seek structural change to repair broken or outdated systems and reconcile inequities in education, economics, health, and law. 

Mike Klein, a professor at St. Thomas, wrote an article for our Twin Cities Community about how at this time social distancing is the work of social justice. Taking responsibility for your health and the health of others is an act of solidarity. 

https://one.stthomas.edu/news/74041/precautions-like-social-distancing-are-the-work-of-social-justice

1) Read a book that focuses on a justice issue that you want to learn more about! Some recommendations: Just Mercy (Justice and Redemption), Mountains Beyond Mountains (Global Health), The New Jim Crow (Mass Incarceration), Evicted (Poverty and Profit)  

2) Go online and research about the social justice work of organizations in your community! Either choose an issue that you’re passionate about, or one that you want to learn more about.  

i) A step further: Reach out to them with questions or with interest in volunteer  

opportunities!  

3) In a controversial conversation, be an active listener and challenge yourself to be open to better understanding the other’s point of view.  

Sincerely, 

Emma, Alaina, Mackenna, Joey, Andrew M., Julia, Aria, Katie, Andrew S., Maddie, Thuy-Vy, and Noah