Beginning the democratic dialogue: What are we prepared to do?

It's not enough merely to attend and listen.  That's a beginning.  Our hope is that after you left the Cathedral on February 12th, you also continued to ponder the stories that you heard, and to consider your own story and those of your family and friends.  How has your experience of America, the beautiful, been affected by your experience of life in America . . . as you were growing up? as a student or young employee in your first jobs? as a parent and a community member?  What is it that you would like to say to us and to each other?  We invite you to use this blog to post your comments.

Getting ready for the Called to Be One segment featuring singer Rene Marie in conversation with Dr. Vincent Harding, co-founder of Veterans of Hope.

Dr. Harding introduces Rene Marie in Saint John's Episcopal Cathedral in Denver.

Rene Marie sang her arrangement of Voices of My Beautiful Country and talked about how she was inspired to compose it.  Go to her Web site at http://renemarie.com/ for a free download of the musical suite.

For a detailed commentary on the evening with Rene Marie and Dr. Harding, read pundit Jason Page's Living Archive blog at http://livingarchive.wordpress.com/2009/02/.  In it, Jason challenges us with these words:  ". . . President Obama has made the call, offered the challenge and set the table. No matter the metaphor, the conversation has begun. And with the help of the great Dr. Harding and the controversial Rene Marie, a small diverse crowd gathered in the Episcopal Cathedral to heed that challenge and experience the inspiration that is art for social change. This gathering of people were prepared to have that democratic dialogue and help to re-invent an America that is committed to healing and hearing stories. . . . Having had this experience and in sharing it with the Archive, I ask the reader and the larger audience, are we armchair political wonks and Monday morning quarterbacks? Or are we players for change, establishers of a new America? Participants in a new conversation. What are we prepared to do? How bad do we want to redeem ourselves from a violent history and forgotten soldiers of faith and change? For me, it begins with democratic dialogue. And I challenge myself, my colleagues, loved ones and adversaries to step out of our collective comfort zone of complacency. Heed our leader’s challenge and spark that dialogue where it seems most impossible."

Please consider making a donation to support the Called to Be One dialogue series, which is made possible by a generous matching grant from the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado.  Send your check payable to Saint John's Cathedral marked "Called to Be One" on the memo line to 1350 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80203 or donate by credit card by calling Canon Steward Greg Movesian at (303) 577-7711.  Your support is important and appreciated.