Clergy: Reflect on a time you were involved in a church activity with someone different than you.
C1	Trip to El Salvador. Being involved with people from very different culture willingly sharing everything they had
C2	Fresh Start experience provided time to meet others and some very different but all united by our call to ministry
C3	When I was in boot camp attending Jewish services
C4	Working with my warden is very different — are feelings for compassion are different, after one year, I have been able to work patiently to find a common ministry. I see myself as a motivated with passion for ministry — the would have be — but the church has allowed us to be together
C5	Anti-racism group — parish with relations of a Baptist church; different backgrounds of people in the Baptist church. Informal work based prayer group of people from different Christian background — El Salvador mission trip — moved by their joy, yet poverty
C6	This diocese is different, people who "believe" differently; some have agreed to disagree about issues and accept him — values friendship
C7	Serving one parish working with a difficult sr. warden. Learning to say "no" yet valuing the other
C8	See #1 — as a black person in all white church as seminarian and now as rector in similar situation. Experience as seminarian with teens how very valuable as rector worship with adults who are different from me culturally and racially
C9	Call of the young women for the priest — rector took the activity of the young groups — chaos occurred and the activity from her. The Lord does not want chaos in His church.
C10	Coming to cathedral working with someone of the opposite sex, relationship with clergy that were not male was one of those opposed to ordination of women was made to understand that the Lord uses all to advance His work.
C11	In recovering form a breakdown, in a community with people from different backgrounds supported in healing process — different clinicians gave support.
C12	Discovering as a "low church" person, that there is great value in Anglo—Catholic sanctity, through being mentored by a woman in the congregation
C13	A weekly mission to the NYC homeless (Dec. — March) delivering food and clothing. When a person came late, one of the people who had already eaten shared what they had with the late comer.
C14	Working at Trinity Asbury Park, I grew in a very wealthy area. They have a gay community, and I filled love with them. I value their love for the church
C15	Love diversity — whole Diocese/Hispanic community welcome/anti—racism/1996 theological conference and value acceptance of all the people/beginning of anti—racism intern lector at Trinity Cranford — we fell in love with each other — friendship
C16	Involvement with ministries w/African fellowship to relationship w/Bishop clearly opposed to his views on sexuality. Come to respect prayerful way the others war arrived at — led to a common ground.
C17	Discussion who came to the a relationship w/her mother. His relationship w/his mother was profoundly decrypted by her mental illness. She was able to interpret his ministry in a maternal way
C18	In Maine, in Keansburg — people who are different then I am show me commitments which have nothing to do with race, sex, etc.
C19	It forced me to look at my narrowness and think twice about it
C20	every time I meet someone else they are different. I am enriched by them
C21	Involvement in meal weekly) with those living with HIV/AIDS
jC22	in a place where passionate conflicting views are present — moving a parish through a death to se new vision
C23	In ministering to fringe groups within the church (those that others see as inappropriate for participation in church life) and befitting form their incite and generosity
C24	Local interfaith dialogue — learning the perspectives of others — particularly mom Christians
C25	PB parish — thankful for continuity of church and varieties of way of worship and glad we all can find our own comfortable settings
C26	meeting others of very different viewpoint in setting where discussion was main focus, that was no need to come to a decision; the amount of time taken for this
C27	Bible study with literalist — but it was important of find they had something to offer — she needed to look at all of scripture and therefore not intellectualize it all but allow it open her and challenge her
C28	Seminary exposure to a very active gay and lesbian group. I had not been exposed to and gave insight and understanding. I saw that sexuality was only an aspect of each individual. It opened me up to look deeper to great understanding and love to my brothers and sisters.
C29
C30
C31	When I sat on Diocesan Council had to do parish visits — I was with valued the respect I received from the person very different from me
C32	Dealing with conservative clergy, who I am, but will still shake my hand. I value everyone's opinion and feel they listen to me
C33	As rector of a working class parish — when men came up for communion, a lot of them were mechanics and their hands were greasy. I valued the change, diversity of that. Less rigidity about worship
C34	gong through process toward ordination in working class church. Valued the ordinances and pragmatic nature of faith, no over thinking
C35	A nine yr. old dwarf with multiple disabilities beamed an acolyte, receiving supportive training, persevered and 9 yrs later became head acolyte. She found strength and joy in that more then compensated for her mental and physical disabilities. The dwarf added a depth to the spiritual dimension of worship.
C36	D. Min. at NYTS. Only white person. The challenge of being a minority.
C37	Being on bishop-calling committee in Rochester encountered a very controlling woman — leader of color — who would go down to the water with our calling from 130 names to 6
C38	one black family in congregation in 1960's with same make—up, but because they were such different backgrounds third similarities and make—up they saw themselves as equal. It was perception that made difference
C39	Year ago did a blessing of civil marriage of a couple from different country — ceremony was western; the reception very African. He was impressed by how fluently they moved between cultures and how inclusive of all ages they were.
C40	Being called to be an associate rector at a parish that was economically, socially and ethnically were different form previous experience. In that mix and acceptance was experience, that was overwhelming and lovingly accepting
C41	Looking with rabbi on subject of prejudice — lots of faithfulness with the people — willingness to put one w/out
C42	Parishioner who was very upset because she thought give was our bishop and was really upset. Need to see a person what totally disagreed as a child of God. Learned to give space for her to experience God in her way
C43	Attended a "hip hop" mass and found the joy of celebrating Christ in a different way. Also attended mass in a Hispanic country, felt even though the language was different the true sense of worship came through
C44	As teenager had gay priest who made a real difference for me.
C45	A food pantry I worked in seminary. It was the basis for community — homeless ministered to themselves as volunteers. We worked along side each other. Retain their dignity. I had to confront things in myself I did not like.
C46
C47	Committee with difficult people on it; never did learn to like them, but respected difficult view and their hearing of Jesus' voice
C48	the current ministry assoc. in my town — they have been helpful and are becoming friends
C49	see #2
C50	Second festival of Diocese of Bethlehem, Bishop of Kapolei in Sudan visited with us and preached. His material life was impoverished but there was a richness in his joy in the Lord and gracious openness to everyone
C51	Interim rector, 16 yrs ago, gay community within church. Gay leader came to her to say he and community want to be just normal. She recommended be on vestry, she was later became ordained.
C52	Bipolar-disorder parishioner came to weekly — having survived childhood in foster care system. Seeing common humanity in one so different.
C53	Dallas, TX — vestry — number of women — mentally ill — very strong. Maundy Thursday Vigil — special personal communion — variety gifts o.k. — in congregations and groups sharing to offer different — still have gifts
C54	Encounter with Baptist minister who did not believe in infant baptism. Parents were Episcopalians Baptist prepared and made all arrangements for Fr. Baptize in pastoral setting. Value unity without unification. We can have and uphold each others denominational difference
C55	"Old" Trinity institute. "everybody" went met a seminary colleagues who was very different; along with diverse others
C56	A week at Credo. A diverse group of clergy in small group there was South African and other whose experience of church was very different than my own — with others who had substance struggles
C57	When I was Caucasian vicar in an all-black congregation — learned how economic differences held people prisoner — church was place where they communed to the wider church and their community outside the church.
C58	Involved in Bible study group — feel sense of community even though they are all black, come from different church, denominations, traditions. Have different approach to bible — helps to understand why they hold the views they hold.
C59	We had bible study with person who had cerebral palsy. It made us aware of how much the church could do to care for handicapped people
C60	the whole church is different from me
C61	working with gay and lesbian clergy changed outlook — changed to full acceptance of their ministry; their "being"
C62	food pantry ministry — interacting with the large array of population very different than her and realizing she could be there too
C63	As curate in poor neighborhood; experience of generosity, humility of poor Christians. Surprised by fruitfulness of these people's ministries
C64	working with children — handicaps — they had such a spirituality — this was reminder there is no packaged form. We are loved not for what we can or can not do. We are all important. I use this to help with my parish ministry
C65	assisting hospital chaplain in her ministry; was scared at first but then felt an a going peace
C66	visiting an atheist who was dying forcing me to explain complex spiritual ideas in simple, compelling manner
C67	as my field parish, was only white person in congregation for my year there. I came to value from experience. Parish believed their rector has best interest at heart. They trusted him. From outside, such hierarchy is hard for me. But I saw how it worked well there.
C68	A period of time after War in Vietnam — parish adopted Vietnamese family — language was not problem for communication
C69	As a curate, woman parishioner sad to me "who is Jesus?" Breaking me out of the assumption that everyone knew our language. Totally changed me, opened me up to never assuming that folks understand what we are talking about
C70	True gift of Catholicity is not negotiable. A sense of empowerment that bids the weak to be strong. A real sense of incarnational theology where we exhaust ourselves honoring each other. Bishops in communion with each other, liturgy that gives life.
C71	First field Ed. Assignment — an urban church in NJ — largely African American. All clergy were white. Changed with planning parish retreat. I valued having my eyes opened to the cultural dynamics to be with parish I wanted to serve .
C72	Anti—racism dialogue in another diocese — representatives of two parishes, one very wealthy and on quite poor. The grace of seeing what that meant.
C73	anti—racism training — hear of people of color
C74	as a consultant — oneness in Christ — difference outweighed by similarities.
C75
C76	Time after we ran Bp. Doss out of town; #group who disliked Doss was different from e; I got the confidence what was on my mind; "When you're willing to speak without being defensive reconciliation is a lot easier."
C77	IHH interfaith hospitality network hosting every few weeks. Experience of poor and needy people in financially rich congregation, How much we have in common despite demographic distinctions. Differences are insignificant compared to what we have in common.
C78	Chaperone on J2A with teens for 2 weeks. Gained insight into tees life/ their life is challenge and difficult — value of the world in of what God cares them to be as Christian.
C79	Realizing that a call to a particular parish, I could say no. In turning down this position, I realized that I was actually listening ;to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
C80	Clergy gatherings — some clergy in different discussions — clarify our position women as clergy.
C81
C82
C83	my connection with Spanish church and a former inmate that has grounded in trust and respect , two people very different in their lifestyles. The immediate trust and the cultural differences grounded in respect
C84	Mission for millennium goals project, shared also by an re priest, the vision became a reality — value— God still comes even if we do not get it all right
C85	annual mission trip with youth to poor I South USA, when involved with these poor sees 1x in them
C86	1. young boy dying of brain cancer. Main service Sunday healing with 250 people. Daily activity and prayer within. 2. church and community — people promised to "nag" God 3x per day. Boy died continued support of family by entire community — foundation for children with brain cancer.
C87	rector of a multi—racism international parish
C88	Worship at the church of the Savior, PA, with people form 15 different nations was awesome. I valued the opportunity to have contact with people different form who I grew up with
C89	Program at Canterbury Cathedral in 2004. It brought together people from many different Anglican churches. Opened my eyes to understand other people's contexts; specifically basic needs such as food, shelter, conflict
C90
C91	New Brunswick urban ministry that was inter—racial — all top notch people
C92	good friend died — priest — very different in many ways — complex person — so loving that it broke through in identity issues — what I value was being the receiver of that experience — nothing I did, but his personality, giftedness
C93	As commission on ministry member had to sort through applicant's very different experience — young woman just out of school who had nicer had any angst at all. Being able to be open door rather that obstacle
C94	Diaconal mentor with when I can share our differences, across racial and orientation boundaries. Working in a bilingual parish, learning in a new environment, immersed in a different culture.
C95	in southern African — took host mother — took me to indigenous church — I took her to ex—patinate church she was so appalled at the women wearing pants in church — lead me to re—examining my own cultural assumptions
C96	Working with widen very different personality. Break up against his negativity and been counting of attendance. Have had to learn patience and recognize people can see same things and yet see different criteria as importance. Value gift of tolerance. Value richness that each bring to church. As body of Christ we are united.
C97	Experience as rector of racist church — now recognize gift of personal desire to witness and prophesy actively — to love him despite presence of evil — now recognize why I was called here.
C98	When I was an assistant priest, I led a youth group trip to a Caribbean Island. I worked with a priest form the Caribbean who was very different form me. He had a joy of life that came so natural for him. I began to internalize this.
C99	While leading a multi—faith with a Buddhist, Muslim and Jew with a Buddhist, moderator. I came to value not only their new way that was of the other faith traditions halved a crucified and risen savior as to me to walk with us each step of our journey.
C100	Gay couple at St. Andrews, strongly disapproved of BSA. Using church — long conversation he came to understand their position, did not agree entirely but appreciated their position's they become friends and one was on his ord. Com.
C101	As a seminarian was in a large congregation. Expectations were not the way I was brought up, but came to realize that I could work in any environment.
C102	seminary, handful of friends, group of 4, support — daily prayer, sacraments, there in ups and downs, how you doing? Encouragement/challenge, confirmed identity in faith.
C103	Ministering with the deaf. How much different he was though them and his place in the process. How people were truly accepting to him and how he changed to the needs, special needs, of others.
C104
C105	In college — a fellowship of students interdenominational. Different backgrounds. Lots of jumping and singing. Not used to that from my Anglican tradition.
C106	Working outside of country in different cultural and economic setting; simplicity of their expression of faith — gave me new insight.
C107	Late 70's — venture in mission — asked by senior member of church to participate — felt like a token young person — but they really wanted to listen — broke down my pre—conceived notions of the older generation.
C108	Involved several years with Chinese ministry in N.Y. — learned what it is like to be the minority. I was the different one. Language barrier: having to have translator, as minority, humbling.
C109	Last summer Hoyd was marooned in bay — a mentally if person with physical impairments — overbearing, dirty — actually brought feelings of deep caring up in me and encouraged me to become wiser and more patient with him.
C110	1. At an instructed Seder in a Jewish synagogue 2. It emphasized the reality of our Judeo-Christian heritage
C111	being involved in anti—racism work in the diocese has helped to broaden my understanding as sensitivity.
C113	Seminary — his classmates — a few were conservative — a few were liberal with gay. Worshipped with and worked together in community. Loved them all, but the only thing in common was Jesus. So different from the church.
C114	I have always participated with different people
C115	The exchange with those of other denominations has always broadened my own vision of god
C117	I have never had an experience like that because i consider us all the sons of God.
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