Chris Wendell

Submitted by Stephanie Wert ... on November 1, 2006 - 5:10am.

Episcopal Divinity School Beatitudes Society Chapter Convener

One of the most exciting experiences I've had with The Beatitudes Society is planning an alternative worship week at our seminary. Taking our cue from Bono's National Prayer Breakfast homily in early 2006, we spent a week leading our seminary in exploring how the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) serve as "Modern Day Beatitudes for a globalized world." At each morning prayer service we paired two Biblical Beatitudes with two MDG's and offered two reflective, interactive creation stations, with songs, readings and prayers framing the service. To top it off, we offered a special "U2charist" using the music of U2 to inspire a more contemporary worship engaging our community in imaging what we can do to respond to God's call for global reconciliation through the MDG's. Many folks from our chapter helped create the very special week of services -- which was hailed by our community as the most engaging week of chapel! Working in our own context as future ministers, we were able to watch our own particular gifts for inspirational leadership take shape.

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