Making Space for Open Conversation: Grace Church Newton Launches Faith and Polities Series

The diocese has been talking a lot about values in recent months as it lives into the core values, mission, and priorities outlined in its recent visioning work. What do these values look like “on the ground”? What does it mean to welcome? What does love look like in our pews, on the street corner, when talking with a neighbor? And, what does courage look like in this time of turbulence, uncertainty, and political polarization?

Grace Episcopal Church Newton is taking on these questions in a series it is launching this month called Exploring Faith and Politics. “This is a time when people have intense reactions to what is happening in our society and we want to create a space where all—especially those whose voices are often quiet— feel comfortable conveying their experiences and perspectives,” says Taylor Boas, PhD, vestry member at Grace and chair of the Political Science Department at Boston University, who is helping to lead the series.      

The Series

The series will address topics ranging from Queer Justice and Faith to Immigration and Faith to International Engagement and Faith through facilitated reading groups, a sermon series, and a spring forum. It is being offered to Grace parishioners and members of other Episcopal churches in Newton and will integrate books, podcasts, video and articles as a framework for conversations.

Goals of the series include:

• Helping people understand the Episcopal Church’s long history of engaging on politics and faith, providing context for the era in which we are living.
• Discussing what is happening in our communities, nationally, and internationally.
• Making space to hear people’s real stories.
• Enabling interfaith conversations about how faith informs our political actions and vice versa.

Ensuring there is a Seat at the Table for All

Given today’s climate, just bringing people together to have tough conversations looks like an act of courage. “Courage has two different aspects—advocacy/activism and having respectful conversations across perspectives,” says Boas. “We are trying to thread the needle in this series to respond to both.”  

People come to church for different reasons, says Ellen Farwell, JD, senior warden at Grace and associate professor of law at Roger Williams University, who is helping to lead the series. Some seek solace. Some want to act on faith-based values. Others are looking for community. “Through this series we are trying to make the conversation overt, and not reactive, and offer a seat at the table for all to have open conversation about what is on their hearts and minds. We hold everyone as a valued member of the church and child of God. Our hope is that we can learn together.”

For more information, contact The Rev. Tammy Hobbs Miracky, Priest in Charge at Grace, at pastor@gracenewton.org.