February Message from Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Lorraine Ceniceros

After I sent my letter to the Conference last Monday, I heard from a number of people who shared the same feeling. They are paying attention to what is happening in Minnesota and in other states. They are worried. They care about their neighbors. They care about democracy. And they don’t know what to do next. Some aren’t sure where to begin. Some are afraid to take a step at all.

I want to start by saying this: you are not alone in that. And you are not broken because you feel this way. These are hard days.

I recently came across a reflection by Substack writer Jackie Summers that helped me breathe a little easier. Summers says we “are not consigned to a single role for life.” In other words, we don’t have to be everything. We don’t have to show up in the same way as everyone else. We simply choose the role that fits who we are and what we have capacity for right now.

Summers talks about a few different ways people can show up.

Some people are helpers. They offer direct care. They check in on others. They give rides. They drop off groceries. They listen. Not everyone can go out into the streets. But everyone can be someone another person comes home to.

Some people are advocates. They work inside systems. They know how things function and where pressure points are. They write letters. They make calls. They ask hard questions. They push institutions to do better.

Some people are organizers. They see the bigger picture. They connect people. They bring skills and resources together. They help turn concern into coordinated action.

Some people are rebels. They are the ones willing to take visible risks. They carry a lot of fire. They are often out front. They absorb criticism so others don’t have to.

There are also different kinds of roles depending on where you are. Some are street-side roles: marching, offering medical support, serving as a legal observer, and helping keep people safe. Others are home-side roles: watching kids, cooking meals, donating to bail funds, answering phones, amplifying information, paying attention to what’s happening, and sharing reliable updates.

Summers says, “Do what you can personally do. Support those who do what you cannot. The role you play on any given day is assignment, not consignment.” That line matters to me. It means today’s role doesn’t lock you in forever. It means rest is allowed. It means fear doesn’t get the final word.

If you are looking for places to start locally, here are a few organizations doing good work:

Kansas

ACLU Kansas -  a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights and liberties of all people living in Kansas. 

Indivisible – This non-partisan group has multiple organizations in Kansas. It is focused on progressive values & activism, and is dedicated to the principles of justice, compassion, and equity.

Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) is a statewide, multi–faith issue–advocacy organization that “puts faith into action” by educating, engaging, and advocating on behalf of people of faith and the public regarding critical social, economic, and climate justice issues.

Hutch Common Ground – This organization seeks to organize and facilitate peaceful, non-partisan, and action-oriented support from community members who are concerned about the state of our democracy. For more information, Hutch Common Ground can be contacted at:  hutchcommonground@gmail.com

Oklahoma

Foundation for Liberating Minds is a Black-led, multiracial, multicultural abolitionist organization creating liberation through transformative political education and movement building.

ACLU of Oklahoma - A nonprofit, non-partisan, privately funded organization devoted exclusively to the defense and promotion of the individual rights secured by the U.S. and Oklahoma constitutions.

Indivisible OK - A non-partisan group focused on progressive values & activism dedicated to principles of justice, compassion, equality and honesty in government.

Tulsa

El Centro - immigrant empowerment center providing legal help, language courses, etc.

Terence Crutcher Foundation - community-centered advocacy and organizing group centered on racial justice

The Equality Center — LGBTQIA+ resources center and advocacy center that also engages in immigration justice work

You do not have to do everything. You do not have to do it perfectly. You do not have to do it alone.

Choose a lane. Take one step. Trust that God meets us there, and that small, faithful acts, offered together, become something far larger than we can see on our own.

Walking this journey of faith with you,

Lorraine