By  Deaconess Johnna Georgia
Awaken Dane Program Director

Fifteen pastors filter in on an overcast and surprisingly chilly summer day to our pavilion in William G. Lunney Lake Farm Park. Some gather and greet old friends and colleagues; others initiate introductions while they wait for us to get started. 

We welcome them to this initial gathering for Awaken Dane that is intended exclusively for pastors participating in our first cohort. But Awaken Dane itself is for more than just clergy. Over the next couple of months, these pastors will be inviting 8-10 congregation members from their respective churches to join our program. 

Together, pastors and their congregational teams will work through the Stepping Out curriculum from The Missional Network.These materials are separated into four modules intended to disrupt the busyness of our lives and maybe even our need for control and instead help us learn to listen more deeply and recognize the Spirit at work in our neighborhoods. Our focus is to shift from needing to do for others to embrace being with others.

We start with introductions, prayer, and lunch as we separate into three groups to begin some structured conversations for the research component of our program. We want to know where they see themselves now with questions like: 

*    how they would describe their local communities;
*   how God has been at work lately in those communities; and 
*   what they picture when they imagine the whole Body of Christ thriving in Dane County. 

We will revisit these questions in two years.

As sandwiches are consumed and reflections are shared, I feel a natural sense of comradery forming among the groups. These pastors come from a wide variety of Christian denominations and it seems through their sharing there is mutual understanding building among them. 

In one group, when asked “What do you picture when you imagine the whole Body of Christ thriving in Dane County?” a pastor responded, “I think there has to be a recognition, an honoring of the unique grace, the unique image and witness that each member of the body is offering this community and then how to support one another, whether it’s the clergy or the Body itself, with whatever it needs. If one member suffers, we all suffer, and I think that’s why we have to be connected to one another to know what the sufferings are.”

Another pastor reminded us, “The Body of Christ is not made to be competitive; we are made to enhance each other and empower one another.”

After our focus groups, we gather together to practice Dwelling in the Word with Luke 10: 1-12. While the lesson is being read twice, all those gathered are listening for where their imagination stops and are asked to consider where the Spirit might be nudging them (they meditate with the sounds of the birds and children playing in the park). 

Dwelling in the Word, similar to leccio divina, is a practice they will do monthly with their congregational teams. They pair off with someone they don’t know and share their reflections while practicing deeply listening to their partners. 

While sitting behind the group to keep a lonely dog from crying and distracting everyone, I listen as they share what they heard from their partners. Although there are themes that emerge, everyone’s answer is unique. It feels as though we are all grounded in the Word together as one new community. 

We end our time discussing logistics as anticipation buzzes. Next up for these pastors is to recruit their congregational teams and we will host another kickoff event for all participants on September 25th at Upper House. 

As Awaken Dane’s Program Director, cleaning up after an event like this typically leaves me with one of two feelings: dread or hope. I am proud to say that I am filled with the latter as we look to the future. 

Some see a group of people divided on theological issues, but I heard those gathered reflect an earnest desire to bridge differences and work together while exploring Awaken Dane. At the heart of these relationships is respect for one another and this gathering felt like the building of a strong foundation. 

We invite you to join us in prayer for these 15 congregations as they step out into the unknown (not Frozen-related) in faith to experience how God is on the move in their local communities. You can find a listing of the participating churches on our website. 

Awaken Dane is a joint effort of Wisconsin Council of Churches, Collaboration Project, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, and Upper House. It is a grant funded project through Lilly Endowment, Inc. To learn more, visit our website or find us on Facebook.