Alexander Carpenter

Submitted by Stephanie Wert ... on November 6, 2006 - 3:44am.

The Graduate Theological Union

Beatitudes Society Fellow

Three experiences define my experience with the Beatitudes Society.

Of course, my summer fellowship with Faith in Public Life at the Center for American Progress stands out. While there I helped map religious organizations working for the common good. We helped organize the First Progressive Faith Blog Con, I also blogged for them - after the summer they hired me part-time to continue blogging on their site. While living in DC for two months, I attended talks by Sen. Barack Obama and Sy Hersh, played softball on lazy afternoons on the Mall, and had lots of conversations over pitchers and pizza about the future of religion and politics in America.

The second aspect that defines the Beatitudes Society has been my experience convening the Graduate Theological Union chapter. Thanks to the work by the leadership, we were able to kick off the year co-sponsoring Jim Wallis' visit to Berkeley on Sep. 11. Out of that, a growing group of students converge once a month to talk about how best to combine our activism with our studies. If I do say so myself, our members stand out as thoughtful leaders impressively engaging their campus, church, and communities for justice and the common good.

Finally, the third aspect that colors my experience with the Beatitudes Society was its November fund raiser, held in San Francisco. The room was packed with friends of the Be-ats - leaders in business, education, non-profits, denominations, students. And they were present to support - in generous ways - emerging Christian leaders. In retrospect, it's difficult to convey the incredible sense of prophetic community that I felt in the room.

In light of these Beatitudes experiences and as we continue to study, contemplate, organize together - I see a more sustainable, just, and peaceful future a lot less far away.

 

Strengthening the progressive Christian network for justice, compassion, & peace