The Streets Called “Us” & “Them”

This week I’ve been thinking about the Tower of Babel. Do you know the story? 

In the beginning all of God’s people had one language and the same words. They migrated together to a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. They decided, when there, to build a city. This city would have a tower that reached to the heavens. So the people built a city and a tower that, indeed, reached the heavens. God saw this, and said, “Look! They are one people and they have one language; this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do now will be impossible for them.” 

(You can read the whole thing in Genesis 11.) 

It is bizarre to me that God saw one people working together for a common goal and sought to destroy this. If we are to follow our ancient story, we have been working ever since to get back to a place where we are all on the same page. 

Even though those around me and those with whom I interact tend to speak the same language, it is like we are talking about two different worlds. The words sound familiar, but they mean very different things. I have found myself working to figure out what it means to be in relationship with those who believe differently than me. It hasn’t been easy. 

In her song “Sanctuary” Carrie Newcomer writes: “In a state of true believers / on streets called Us and Them / it’s gonna take some time / ‘til the world feels safe again.” 

Oof. 

Newcomer wrote these words eight years ago, in 2017, but they ring closer to my heart today than I remember they did then. We seem to be living in a time when the streets called “Us” and “Them” are further apart than ever; running in parallel to one another and never crossing rather than perpendicular and intersecting at least once. 

The streets called “Us” and “Them” used to be winding, as I recall – getting closer together from time to time; at times further apart. Sometimes they would even cross one another. 

But now? Whew, now – heaven help us if these streets get closer to one another, much less cross. 

I will be the first to admit that I have contributed to these streets becoming straighter, more rigid, and further from one another than they used to be. My social media is carefully curated so that I see posts from friends who (generally) agree with me. I have left groups that posted memes and news stories that I didn’t agree with – the group from my hometown was the first group I left. I tend to stay quiet in conversations that hold stressful conversation topics, particularly the political ones, because I don’t want to get too worked up myself or say nasty things to others. 

My street of “Us” runs very parallel to the street of “Them.” 

Do you find yourself in a similar place?  

If so, we have a conversation opportunity for you. 

On Saturday, May 3 from 2:00-4:00 pm we will welcome our own Rev. Lowell Greathouse back to First UMC. Rev. Lowell has been doing work with Oregon Humanities through The Conversation Project. He has developed a conversation titled “Talking Values Across Political Divides.” In our time together Rev. Lowell will guide us through conversations about our own values and give us the tools we may be looking for to start having conversations across the things that divide us. 

Rev. Lowell describes the conversation as follows: 

“’How can I be me without making it difficult for you to be you?’ This question gets at the fundamental challenge of being in society together. We live in a contentious political world, and it’s difficult to talk about our deepest values and beliefs in safe, civil, and respectful ways. In 2021, the Pew Research Center found that nearly six in ten Americans felt that political conversations with those you disagree with are generally stressful and frustrating, as opposed to being interesting and informative. If we avoid such conversations, we lose opportunities to form a community with others that reflects our best selves. How can we learn to share our values in ways that bring us together rather than push us further apart?” 

We are honored to welcome Rev. Lowell back to our space (though he and Susan have been worshiping with us for a while now!) as he helps us to navigate the tricky spaces in our own lives and in the world at large. 

We are asking folks who come to bring an appetizer or dessert to share; coffee, tea, and ice water will be provided. We are asking folks to register so that we know how many to prepare for; that registration link can be found here. 

You are all cordially invited, whatever your affiliation. Having more tools to better communicate with one another is never a bad thing. If we work at it, we can come out of our time together with broader perspectives, more willingness to hear what each other has to say, and some tasty treats to sustain us for the journey. 

Our world is more beautiful with our diversity of voices singing together. 

And, because we’re entering Eastertide, here’s a bonus blessing poem for you. May you continue to find resurrection in the most surprising places. 

Life Breaks Through  
by Tess Baumberger 
 
Life breaks through.  
Time and time again, life breaks through what seems like death. 
Even in the heart of winter, light breaks through,
life breaks through and unseen growth occurs beneath the frozen ground. 
Some plants need winter in order to flower in spring. 
Life breaks through, even through stone. 
Laurel trees have the strength to break through stone  
to sustain their fragrant, vibrant lives, 
Life breaks through, even seemingly frail lives  
can survive in harshest circumstances. 
Life is abundant and strong 
It thrives in unusual places, even in the desert. 
Life shines through thresholds, even the threshold of death. 
It blooms and grows and changes through the stream of time. 
Life breaks through walls we build to keep it out 
and escapes prisons meant to keep life in. 
Life breaks through, shines through the world all around us, 
Life breaks through in us as well, in the forms of faith, hope, love, and joy. 
Life breaks through, again and again, and so we celebrate Easter – 
The triumph of life over death, of goodness over wrongdoing, 
And of love over hatred and intolerance. 
Life breaks through. 

Yours in Community, 
Rev. Rachel