Now these are definitely three sisters ... Hearts In Harmony. Thats the Rev. Denise Posie on the left and the Rev. Shiela Holmes on my right. Rev. Shiela serves in Patterson, New Jersey. Proud Sisters in the Christian Reformed Church. (note that Rev. Posie is not at a church at this time. She served Immanuel CRC in Kalamazoo for 12 years).

Okay... I would like you to meet Nancy Dorner! My friend and mentor who inspired me to write my first collection of poetry.. "RAW SPIRIT" and who also managed a speaking gig for me that some folk would have never believed would have come to pass. Nancy is a published author and an inspirational speaker who is still writing books!!! Praise the Lord my sister!

Check out my girl Tracy! She is a real Hearts In Harmony
Partner. She and I intentionally developed an intercultural friendship with the curriculum that I developed. We met once a month for 6 months mutually sharing answers to tough questions about culture and race and we grew to care deeply for one another. We are FRINGE Friends. I will introduce you to more later.

This is two hearts in Harmony.  Back in 2005, my last year in seminary Lo and I were roomates for the whole year. We began as willing strangers, intentionally crossing culture in our living together. In 2007 Ray and I traveled to Beijing, China to visit Lo. It was an unforgettable experience.

Hearts In Harmony? Yes or No?

Last night i was at a very  social gathering... a very mono cultural gathering and someone sought me out to ask that profound question as to how do stay in a congregation of folk who don't look like you? This question is as equally profound as when I was in seminary and white folk would say well... How did you get to Calvin Seminary? I always thought to myself... here we go... somebody goin' fishin' with really no intention of catching anything. I use think that I should print out on a card all the answers to the same questions I was always asked. I never did that for fear I would seem as superficial as my questioner.  I just want TO GET REAL! I don't make any excuses for being obedient to where God has called me. I know that I AM called to this particular denomination because when I even think about going back to ALL-BLACK I become severely burdened. So it is not for me to question God's sovereignty. I pray everyday "thy will be done".  Which means I go where He wants me to go. I'm here to tell you that I am not the only one led in this way. There are a lot of "US" out there doing what God beckons leaning on his promises. I just know that any person that is in the minority representation is called to be an asset to the majority dominate culture. And there is not a lot of time to be wasting trying to figure things out!  Yup! Whatcha' think about that?

"When was the first time You experienced being the only one?"
the only white person, the only black person, the only female... the only male... the only young person... the only asian person... the only older person... the only latino person... the only native indina person... the only handicap person... etc

...Still Growing

Last night I preached at Third CRC here in Kalamazoo. I stood before this all white group feeling somewhat inadequate and awkward. Culturally I stood out and UP.  I witnessed what God spoke in my heart on reconciliation and harmony with Him and others. After the service I can see now how God broke through with one brother's comment which was actually a hopeful encouragement.  He told me he liked black gospel music and said he had visited a black church and he enjoyed it..  I had discounted this comment but the enormous courage that God gives me is truly Him.  My husband says thAT I AM BOLD.  ITS A GOD THING.  I am humbly being open and obedient and praying to be used more.

Sometimes we ethnic folk take any comment from a white brother or sisteer that refers to anything familiar as a negative stereotype. I want not to be defensive. I want to be a better listener through my own bias. Sometimes I have to practice what I preach.

I would like to invite YOU to be a member of a new movement of believers committed to what we can accomplish Together.

As you journey with me you will be introduced to many concepts about culture and race and to many people who have also trod this path towards freedom. Freedom is what this  is about. It is more about my belief that God has created a space within each one of his beautiful children to love him deeply and to love each other more. 

My 4th year of graduate studies required a  rather lengthy thesis which i entitled--
                                  ...and the Walls Come Tumblin Down!

And that will happen as we intentionally build RELATIONSHIPS

one-friend-at-a-time across culture and RACE.  

Yes I beleive that barriers of predjudice and racial indifference can be over come as two people risk vulnerability and learn to respect and trust each other as the unique and magnificent beings that they are. Perhaps this slow process won't make profound changes in institutionalized racism but one heart changed might make the difference for another's employment or their housing or their finances. And this kind of freedom glorifies God!    
           ---anyway, got a little off track there.
I was telling you about this thesis that I wrote in my last year at Calvin Theological Seminary...  the last chapter was to be a workshop. Something that could be implemented into action. Well, the workshop began as "The Race Circle". I pray that I can introduce to you some of its participants.
Out of that circle of friends birthed Hearts In Harmony Reciprocal Partners.

Ok I will stop here just in case one of you are 
just dieing to introduce yourself... So now you know at least one school that I have attended and the work that makes my heart sing.  How about you?

I would like to invite YOU to be a member of a new movement of believers committed to what we can accomplish Together when we

intentionally

seek to develop friendships

across barriers of culture, race, and ethnicity.

I will be your online guide on this journey as I share with  you my passion for partnering with folk from different ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.

You may simply observe the conversations of the partnerships or you may choose to impact the world with your story.

When we tell our stories, we do indeed risk vulnerability, however

true transparency is necessary for growth.

Freedom is to be Known...

...to be known is freedom

I will begin by introducing myself and with the mutual expectation that when you join you will follow the prescribed format reciprocally.

My hope is that you will meet some of my previous Hearts In Harmony Partners

as they share their experience of such a commitment.

Who am I?

My great, great, great grandmother was Cherokee Indian and my great, great, great grandfather was Irish. My great grandmother called herself 'colored'. In the 5o's I was referred to as 'Negro', sometime Negroid... In the late 6o's I became a Black person. Then in and during the 70's we became African American. In some circles this is politically correct, perhaps. However I prefer to be called a Beautiful Black Woman. You will not be overtly critisized when using one or the other among native Black Americans. Correct me if I am wrong. Its a preference you can ask me later.

I was born in 1952 in Great Lakes Illinois. My birth father was a navy man and my birth mother lived in Chicago. When I was born times were tough for my mother and my care was immediate. While she worked my great grandmother took care of me and so did one of her daughters, who was my great aunt. As the story goes my great aunt and uncle adopted me and I grew up as an only child in Cassopolis Michigan.

Ok. This is enough for now. So you share your ethnic backgound and little family of origin details. Just share reciprocally, in other words share details about yourself that match mine. Then I will share something new and then you will match that response. Let's do this work together and be flexible.

This is only mutual sharing... not intended to debate. We are just creating a space for safe dialogue... a safe envoronment for us to grow in together.

JOIN HERE: The Hearts In Harmony Initiative