The discussion that followed Nikkita Oliver鈥檚 stunning talk (which you can watch here) was facilitated by Dr. Angela Parker, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies. The panel included Rev. Kelle Brown, pastor of Plymouth Church in downtown Seattle and a faith leader in the Center for Religious Wisdom and World Affairs; Andy Carlson (Master of Divinity, 鈥�11), pastor of Awake in north Seattle and part of the community that founded the ; and Dr. Sharon A. Suh, Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Seattle University and author of .

Together, the panelists reflect on the themes of resilience and justice Nikkita evoked, wrestling together with the questions that were sparked among them. They return to the image of a flower pushing through a crack in the concrete, challenging us to not just praise the resilience of the flower but to question the existence of the concrete. 鈥淚t is time for us to understand that there are many, many roses under the concrete,鈥� says Rev. Brown.

鈥淭here are many, many roses under the concrete.鈥�

The panelists urge us to critically examine how we engage conversations of justice and trauma, confronting the ways in which common conceptions of resilience, fragility, and complicity often prop up white supremacy and other systems of oppression. These voices call us to move beyond the tendency to remain silent or to deploy buzzwords in a way that keeps us safe, and to move toward the fearlessness of honesty and action.

鈥淲e live in a very pain-avoidant society,鈥� says Nikkita Oliver as she reflects on the words of the panelists. She reminds us that if we choose another path, if we choose to tell whole stories and speak truth to power, we cannot do so alone. We need community with others who know us and affirm us and can continue calling us back to truth, offering 鈥渁 reflection of the communal struggle that we鈥檙e sharing as individuals.鈥�

Watch Nikkita Oliver’s talk that sparked this conversation.

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Here, you can see Nikkita Oliver鈥檚 morning talk, a vibrant and powerful call for us to consider how we conceive of and talk about resilience and justice, and to remember that it is not nearly enough to merely talk about justice. Nikkita reminds us that it is not enough to applaud resilience and celebrate the rose growing through the cracks in the sidewalk; we must 鈥渜uestion the ugliness of the system that doesn鈥檛 want us to survive,鈥� and question those who pour the concrete in the first place.

Nikkita opens with a stunning poem rooted in lessons she learned from her family, lessons that shine light on the dehumanizing systems around them. She then explores compelling ideas around resilience, white supremacy, reparations, and love, driving home the deep belief that love is not love if it does not recognize the fundamental wholeness of other people. 鈥淎 truly deep, honest love is going to do that hard work. Love is about action, it鈥檚 not about words. You can say 鈥業 love you,鈥� but if you don鈥檛 act like you love me I鈥檓 just not going to believe you.鈥�

Watch the panel discussion that followed Nikkita Oliver’s talk.

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On the Hatchery: This is a new way to plant non-traditional church communities focused on service and cause. It鈥檚 new and everybody is trying to figure things out, which requires a willingness to do that.

On developing personally: Growing up, asking questions wasn鈥檛 really encouraged, so to be able to learn about different theologies has been really meaningful. Now I鈥檓 looking forward to more engagement in the community.

On the challenge of conversation in community: It鈥檚 easier to talk about what we know. It鈥檚 important to include that in our communities, but conversations also need to be around what is actually on people鈥檚 minds.

On the importance of food: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a way to share and be uncomfortable but still partake together. It鈥檚 so foundational to being human.鈥� When you鈥檙e around a table, a lot of interpersonal dynamics and stories come to the surface.

On story around the table: My own family history has revolved around the table. I also experienced such an revelatory moment when a group of Muslims were so welcoming to me during the month of Ramadan around their table.

On the Redondo Beach community: It鈥檚 certainly not a food desert, but I am planning to go to a community that would focus on those who are homeless.

On experiencing hope: 鈥淚鈥檓 seeing hope in an organization in which I鈥檓 able to dream.鈥�

Watch more about and stay updated at her website, .

About Hatchery
Based in Redondo Beach, California, is a church planting center that incubates innovative, sustainable models of church (Common Cause Communities) 鈥� with a goal of launching nine new churches each year and ultimately building the Silicon Valley of Church Innovation. Led by Spencer Burke, this initiative is a ministry of the Pacific Southwest Region of the Disciples of Christ.

About Listening in Place
After graduating with a Master of Divinity from 天美视频 in 2016, Cassie launched , a venture in which she is collecting stories from pastors and practitioners throughout the United States who are practicing new, innovative, and compelling visions of what it means to be the church. And for more from Cassie, check out the presentation of her Integrative Project, 鈥�The Pastoral Both/And: A Complicated Story.鈥�

Music courtesy of .

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We are also aware that many of you have trained with us, which means you will be in the middle of not only understanding your own trauma from this storm but also the collective trauma your community has now suffered. As we all know, trauma is real and impacts our minds, bodies and spirits in unpredictable ways. We know you are all so capable to carrying the trauma of others as you seek to care for yourselves, your families and your community. We will pray that you will have the strength to admit when you need support and care. We trust it is not patronizing to say: be aware when you are operating in shock and pushing yourself far beyond what your body is meant to bear even if the calamity is worlds beyond what you have previously suffered.

We are desiring to stand with you as friends and colleagues. We are wanting to serve you in a way that is tangible and sustainable because your trauma is not going to dry up when the waters finally dissipate. We are in conversation about how we can coordinate our resources. We plan on inviting our team of leaders to make their time available and then coordinate with Chris Seay, pastor of , to figure out how to link our resources for your benefit during this challenging and traumatic season.

May Jesus bring rescue and blessing to you, dear friends.

With hope,

and
On behalf of and

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