I love Prairiewoods’ mission to be “a sacred space where people of all faiths and cultures are invited to explore and nurture their relationships with the Source of all being, Earth, self and others with an increasing awareness of the story of the Universe.”
The story of the Universe. From our website:
As theologian Elizabeth Johnson tells this story, “About 15 billion years ago a single numinous speck exploded in an outpouring of matter and energy, shaping a universe that is still expanding.”
This burst of matter and energy brought forth over 100 billion galaxies, our planetary system, Earth and all the creatures on it. In this universe, everything is connected to everything else. We have all evolved from common ancestors and are kin.
We are kin.
Yet, well we know that kin can be separated from one another. We can, through disagreements large and small find ourselves at odds with one another. In times of division, such as this time in which we are currently living, our fear and anger can lead us to forget that everything and everyone is connected and, instead, put our energies and our faith into what separates us.
As a spirituality center whose mission is to invite people to wrestle with what it means to be in relationship—with God, with Earth, with ourselves and with one another—Prairiewoods will of necessity be a place where hard conversations (both between people and within individual hearts) are hosted. Where difficult questions are asked, and where our differences are probed to lead toward greater understanding and spiritual deepening. Sometimes this includes political beliefs and ideologies, because they are intimately connected with our morality, ethics and values—with who we are and who we hope to become. This can be hard and sometimes painful spiritual work. It can also be healing and restorative.
However, this difficult interior work is in service to a higher purpose. Prairiewoods’ vision statement is less known than our mission, but I find it equally beautiful. It says:
The vision of Prairiewoods is of people everywhere, awakened in consciousness and energized by the loving, creative Spirit of the Universe into a community, moving together into wisdom, compassion and the fullness of life.
Whatever this inauguration day brings, may we all be energized by the loving, creative Spirit. And may we remember that we are kin, part of a community that benefits from shared wisdom and which needs our compassion.
—Jenifer Hanson, Prairiewoods director