Welcome APCE Friends

This blog will be updated with the information and learning from the workshop this past Saturday (January 30) in Chicago. To summarize the main point - culture is a neutral force in our society (not everyone in the Church believes that and the argument can be outlined as we go). In fact, I contend that the Holy Spirit can be present in the same work that can carry unconscious messages of racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, consumerism, materialism and militarism. Part of being "wise like serpents" is to discern what these unconscious messages are, name them and rob them of their power. The question came up, how do we deal with this with our youth in their groups? I think that once kids see the negative messages for what they are, they can resist these and find the integrity of their own faith in order to be "gentle as doves." But if no one points these out, if all we attempt to do is create shelters where these things are ignored, if we criticize the form and not the message, kids will still assimilate the negative unconsciously and not become the servants the Church needs.

More tomorrow ...