Weaving Our Voices

I read an article this past week about the best practices for docents in creating a positive art experience for adults.  What struck me about the piece was how much it reflected truths about our society that have great impact for all of us who are engaged with leading and teaching people.
Georgia Krantz, who works at the Guggenheim, writes about how the antiquated model held up the instructor as the sole source of knowledge imparted to others.  She describes that the role of the instructor or leader should be as a conduit.  My favorite quote from the piece is “It helps me to think about my role as a weaver -of diverse visitor experience of art- into meaningful dialogue that expands visitor understanding of their own experience.”

I think this resonated with me so much because this is how I see my role at SFC. Through all we do my goal is to weave our diverse experience of God into a meaningful dialogue that expands each of our own understandings of God.  In the docent world we talk about dropping in information to enrich the experience.  This is also part of the work I do in our discussions and gatherings at SFC.

It is no easy task. We have diverse ages and backgrounds. We have life long Christians and people who are new to tradition.  We have kiddos who love crafts and others who prefer more active play.  We have people with lots of baggage around faith and some who love the ancient language and practices.   We have different political positions. Sometimes I tangle the threads or slip into lecture mode. We have misunderstandings and uncomfortable moments, yet in the midst of all this we find common ground, we learn from one another, and we grow.   The rough patches and the times when we find our threads match all have their place in our growth and health as an authentic community.

I once attended a training by Eric Law, where he talked about the vastness of God reflected in diversity.  He talked about the messy work of being in close relationship with people who are different than you and how that is such a holy task.

I know that my understanding of God has grown in my time with this community, and I am excited to continue weaving this beautiful dialogue together.

-Eilidh

A beautiful weaving my friend Roberta gave me.