09504
June 17, 2009

Every birth has a story

Diversity in geneology and cultural history produces community

by Duane Sweep
Special to the Presbyterian News Service

The Rev. Buddy Monahan, preacher for the Racial Ethnic Convocation.

ATLANTA — Even though everyone has a different “birth story,” those differences will ultimately lead to community, according to the Rev. Buddy Monahan, who preached at the opening plenary worship service here June 12 of the Racial Ethnic Convocation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Monahan, a Native American Choctaw who is the chaplain at Menaul School in Albuquerque, NM, used the opening chapter of the book of Matthew to describe how diversity can lead to unity.

The Racial Ethnic Convocation was part of the denomination’s Big Tent event, a collection of 10 national conferences that ran June 11-13, and included concurrent worship and meals, and sessions, workshops and other activities of the individual conferences.

In the opening verses of Matthew, the author lays out the geneology of Jesus — Christ’s “birth story,” and Monahan used the text to illustrate the individual histories of his diverse audience. “I think that it’s important for us to remember who we are. … Our scripture reminds us of that.”

He urged his audience to “get beyond the iceberg mentality,” where people tend to share only a small part of their history. Stating that each name in a person’s geneology is important, Monahan said, “We need to know that we are diverse.”

Sharing that cultural depth, he pointed out, will lead to greater understanding and the development of community. “We need to know,” he added, “that someone right next to us has some commonalities.”

The praise team of Bethany Presbyterian Church, Marietta, GA, provided music for opening worship of the Racial Ethnic Convocation. Photos by Duane Sweep

But with the recognition of commonalities come challenges for the racial ethnic communities with the church, Monahan said. “We need one another. We have to have one another,” he said, calling on the convocation to “encourage, support and praise” one another.

In a worship service led by diverse members of the convocation, including baritone Elder Warren Cooper from Philadelphia, PA, and a contemporary praise band from Gethany Presbyterian Church, Marietta, GA, Monahan presented a call to leadership for his racial ethnic audience.

Saying that change is needed to bring about community in the church, Monahan said, “I’m asking you to be a part of that change.” He noted, however, that change will come through respect and “respect begins with understanding.”

And, as he pointed out, understanding can truly come about through the sharing of cultural heritage through “birth stories.”

Duane Sweep is communications director for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies and a frequent contributor to Presbyterian News Service.