Kathleen McKenzie

Summer 2008 Fellow, Protestants for the Common Good

My major project at Protestants for the Common Good was to develop a curriculum for educating local congregations about global warming, with a focus on building support for the IL Clean Cars Act. Prior to this summer, the environment had always ranked fairly low on my list of “causes.” My previous work (as a social worker) had always revolved around caring for young children by strengthening families and enhancing the communities in which they live. However, the more that I learned about global warming and the measures we can (and MUST) take right now to curb it, the more that I came to realize that all of these issues are interrelated. For example, improved air quality from cleaner cars is expected to prevent anywhere from 80,000-250,000 lost school days due to childhood asthma. Just knowing this helped me put a face on a potentially abstract concern.

Witnessing PCG’s commitment to legislative advocacy was a breath of fresh air for me professionally. Over the years, I had become fairly jaded with regard to city, state, and even national politics. I now have a greater appreciation for our responsibility as Christians to remain actively engaged in these processes. At the same time, my work on global warming convinced me that one person really can make a difference. I’ve made quite a few small changes in my life over the past few weeks: things like switching to recycled toilet paper, turning off my computer when I’m not using it, and shopping at local farmers’ markets. These have all become aspects of a “lived spirituality” for me. Each time I act, I am reminded of my faith in God who creates in beauty and complexity. And, I am aware of being part of the whole human family, to whom the care of creation has been entrusted.

Taking time to breathe this summer has had other personal benefits as well. After two intense years of seminary, I have decided to complete my M.Div. degree as a part-time student. This will allow me to continue to engage in full-time ministry, even as I continue my preparation for ministry in the future. (I will be serving as the Director of a church-affiliated social service center that provides food, clothing, and relationship-based case management for people who are homeless.) I am not sure where God will lead me next, but my experience as a Beatitudes Summer Fellow has reenergized me, allowing me to be open to new challenges and an even broader range of possibilities.

--Kathleen McKenzie

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