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Home > Who We Are > NewSpirit > NewSpirit - Cross Border Talking
NewSpirit - Cross Border Talking
submitted by Wayne Larstone and Nancy Wilson
Cross Border Talking
by Wayne Larstone and Nancy Wilson
Travelling to the States may be commonplace for many who live close to the border, but for others who are not used to making that journey, it can be a bit daunting. The process is always the same. The Custom’s Officer has you unroll your window and asks you your name, citizenship and your purpose for entering the States. Responses are brief, and limited to just the facts. The thing that can be intimidating is that the Custom’s Officer has the power and authority to deny or delay you from getting to your destination.
In the past, sometimes conversations between pastoral charges and/or Presbyteries have had a similar inquisition: Who are you? What is your citizenship? What is your purpose for engaging in this conversation? And yet, over the years, in our increasingly mobile society, borders are constantly being crossed and networks are being established that go beyond geographical boundaries. Technology connects us to different places and gives us immediate information that can stretch our imaginations and challenge the ‘normal’ way of doing things. Now, lines drawn around Presbyteries to define their scope seem more permeable. That has been the recent experience of Winnipeg and Selkirk Presbyteries.
A group of lay people and clergy who participate in the work and life of ministries in the areas closest to the Winnipeg/Selkirk Presbytery ‘border’ have been meeting over the past few months. It is not an exclusive group (all are welcome); or a decision making group (dreams and conversation are the theme). Instead these times together have been a place to explore our collective landscape. We challenge each other asking: “What is happening in the United Church communities in and around the Perimeter (the border between our Presbyteries)? What/if anything can be done differently or collectively? How can we share resources in a way that strengthens our collective being and voice?”
As conversation began to flow and people shared their stories with one another, a few interesting things happened.
· The long-held perceptions that Selkirkers had of ‘Winnipeggers’ (and vice versa) started to melt away.
· We realized that urban and rural life and challenges are more similar than first glance.
· We explored ways of reframing words like ‘rural’; ‘urban’ and ‘inner city’ as a means of learning a language that is common to everyone.
· We discovered that both Presbyteries seem to have an increased focus on crises management leaving little time, energy and authority for proactive conversations.
· We realized that we are not so much about ‘finding solutions’ as we are about ‘finding our voice.’
At the border, sometimes?.... occasionally?.... rarely?... the Custom’s Officer closes the conversation with the permission-giving statement “Enjoy your time in the States.” We continue to engage in this ‘Cross Border Talking’, laying a foundation of trust and building upon our faith tradition of the One who was constantly reaching across the socio-economic, gender and political borders of his time. For he is the same One who continues to invite us to open ourselves to the possibilities to which God calls. May it be so!
Nancy Wilson is the Winnipeg Presbytery Minister for Mission, Evangelism and Church Development.
Wayne Larstone is retired ministry personnel from Selkirk Presbytery.
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This article is part of NewSpirit - a collection of stories, opinions, information, and tales of congregational events and mission from around our conference. We welcome stories and pictures that reflect the life of your congregation or ministry. Contact the conference office if you would like to contribute to NewSpirit Online.
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Posted: February 04, 2009
Expires: never
category: NewSpirit Online
keywords/tags : newspirit
online
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