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THOUGHTS ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & BELONGING
would notice something so small and take time to mend a broken slipper. How did she observe what I needed when I didn’t even ask? Why would she take time out of her busy day to mend a simple shoe? I felt seen, known, and loved. Reina’s actions live in my heart and memory. She made me feel like I belonged at my home and I am forever grateful. Who are the people that help you be seen, known, and loved? What are the actions that bring you a sense of belonging?
In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples how God saw him and how he saw his Father. God teaches us to make spaces of belonging through seeing, knowing, and loving.
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“So Jesus explained himself at length, I'm telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does. The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing. But you haven't seen the half of it yet, for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses. Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out.”—John 5: 15-25, The Message
God offers a welcome without barriers or closed doors. And then, after the welcome, it gets better. God raises the dead things and recreates life where we thought there could not be life again. He makes it better than before.
Where do you need to experience God’s new life and belonging? I am taking time to ask God for mending and welcome so I may offer that as well to others. Jesus, the giver of new life opens doors of belonging and no one is left out.
This year, we started a new student group called The Changemakers Leadership Group. This student group is Christian, queer-affirming, and anti-racist. Our goal is to grow our leadership and find ways to bring greater welcome and belonging to all students and families in our community and in Hoboken. Pray for us as we strive to be like Jesus—listening to God, loving others, creating welcome, and helping to bring new things to life.
Author of this column, Tania Oro-Hahn, holds the Chair of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging, and is the Spanish teacher for grades 2-8.
