God does not show favoritism. - Romans 2:11
Today was an extraordinary day. Due to my spouse's engagement as a primary candidate for mayor in the City of Erie, today we celebrated with the winner of the general election, Mayor Joe Schember. Throughout the campaign, Almi and I found Joe and his wife, Rhonda, to be terrific people: caring, constructive, positive, and visionary. While we were certainly in the primary to win, we were happy, after the primary, to join the Schember campaign and support Joe and his team in their bid for City Hall.
It was an honor to sit in the packed city council chambers today and celebrate the inauguration of Erie's 38th mayor. It was moving to hear the words of the oath of office spoken by our next civic leader, and to hear his optimistic words of hope for our city and our region. It was a joy to raise our voices in song, along with friends Mike Malthaner and Linda Wingerter, as we led those gathered in a rendition of The Beatles' Here Comes the Sun (a song that takes on incredible meaning after the seven feet of snow we've had since Christmas Day!).
As the ceremony drew to a close, though, I had a profoundly moving experience. Mayor Schember had decided to have one of Erie's Muslim leaders, Benjamin Aysan, the Executive Director of the Erie Turkish Cultural Center, chant the opening of the Quran, first in Arabic then spoken in translation. It was a powerful assertion that our new administration was going to be one of inclusion and welcome, of radical celebration of diversity and strength in our shared identities and member of the Erie community. It was beautiful to be reminded that we have many New Americans, many of whom came to this extraordinary country, and our beautiful lake shore, in search of opportunity and the possibility of learning and growing.
I was reminded that, while many feel that they are particularly blessed or advantaged, God shows no favoritism or partiality. While the quote from Paul's Letter to the Romans was focused on our shared brokenness, it is not hard to imagine how it applies also to our wonderful individuality and gifts of distinction. I loved hearing both the English and the sung Arabic affirmation of what it is to be part of Creation that is infinite in its creative diversity. If God can imagine all the beauty and good that we see, how can we not imagine that all that is distinct and beautiful is of God? Our neighborhoods, our cities, our regions, our nation, our world are all strengthened by the celebration of diversity, and by the embracing what what we share - our love for family, friends, and the wonderful universe in which we live.
The mayor's choice to have a spectrum of voices in his inauguration portends a powerful future for our city under his leadership. I have extraordinary hope because of Mayor Joe Schember. I anticipate even more optimism with his positive and engaging voice. I am thankful to be a part of the fabric of this wonderfully diverse and gifted region.
Namaste/Peace/Salaam/Shalom,
Shawn+
Today was an extraordinary day. Due to my spouse's engagement as a primary candidate for mayor in the City of Erie, today we celebrated with the winner of the general election, Mayor Joe Schember. Throughout the campaign, Almi and I found Joe and his wife, Rhonda, to be terrific people: caring, constructive, positive, and visionary. While we were certainly in the primary to win, we were happy, after the primary, to join the Schember campaign and support Joe and his team in their bid for City Hall.
It was an honor to sit in the packed city council chambers today and celebrate the inauguration of Erie's 38th mayor. It was moving to hear the words of the oath of office spoken by our next civic leader, and to hear his optimistic words of hope for our city and our region. It was a joy to raise our voices in song, along with friends Mike Malthaner and Linda Wingerter, as we led those gathered in a rendition of The Beatles' Here Comes the Sun (a song that takes on incredible meaning after the seven feet of snow we've had since Christmas Day!).
As the ceremony drew to a close, though, I had a profoundly moving experience. Mayor Schember had decided to have one of Erie's Muslim leaders, Benjamin Aysan, the Executive Director of the Erie Turkish Cultural Center, chant the opening of the Quran, first in Arabic then spoken in translation. It was a powerful assertion that our new administration was going to be one of inclusion and welcome, of radical celebration of diversity and strength in our shared identities and member of the Erie community. It was beautiful to be reminded that we have many New Americans, many of whom came to this extraordinary country, and our beautiful lake shore, in search of opportunity and the possibility of learning and growing.
I was reminded that, while many feel that they are particularly blessed or advantaged, God shows no favoritism or partiality. While the quote from Paul's Letter to the Romans was focused on our shared brokenness, it is not hard to imagine how it applies also to our wonderful individuality and gifts of distinction. I loved hearing both the English and the sung Arabic affirmation of what it is to be part of Creation that is infinite in its creative diversity. If God can imagine all the beauty and good that we see, how can we not imagine that all that is distinct and beautiful is of God? Our neighborhoods, our cities, our regions, our nation, our world are all strengthened by the celebration of diversity, and by the embracing what what we share - our love for family, friends, and the wonderful universe in which we live.
The mayor's choice to have a spectrum of voices in his inauguration portends a powerful future for our city under his leadership. I have extraordinary hope because of Mayor Joe Schember. I anticipate even more optimism with his positive and engaging voice. I am thankful to be a part of the fabric of this wonderfully diverse and gifted region.
Namaste/Peace/Salaam/Shalom,
Shawn+
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