Sowing Seeds

How “We can Build a Beloved Community in a Wounded World”.

I believe that we can build a beloved community by being more kind and generous. In my garden at home, I sow seeds, give them water and sunshine, watch them grow and then I harvest my fruits and vegetables and share what has grown. You sow seeds of kindness by caring for others, giving them what they need like love and support and watching them grow to bear their own fruit of kindness. This benefits you and others. Once you give those kindness seeds away hopefully the person that received your kindness and generosity will repeat the process over again. The purpose of this loop is to spread kindness around the world like wildfire! I believe sowing seeds of kindness will build a beloved community in a wounded world.

Name: Jessica Lewis

Grade: 7th 

School: Alamance Middle School

Church: St. Matthew United Methodist

Pastor: Rev. Rodvegas Ingram

Building a Beloved Community in a Wounded World

The world is wounded in so many ways:  homelessness, child abuse, animal cruelty, racism, discrimination, pollution, people committing crimes and drug abuse.  It seems awful that there are so many, but I remain hopeful.  I think we can turn these situations around if we all started to care more.

A starting place is joining an organization that already exists, like Open Hands, a program inside of my church.  They help people that need help.  It is not a lot but it is a start.  There’s food, clothes, temporary shelter from the rain, and people who will listen.  They also have bible study on certain days.  There is a need for people to donate items, money and volunteer.

We can build a beloved community in this wounded world by agreeing to do our part.  It is so easy to want something done but not be willing to help make it happen.  For instance, we might want to end homelessness, yet we don’t give, we don’t support, or we don’t house those who do not have a place to call home.  Yet we want to end homelessness?  Or what about if we say we want to help our children get a better education but we want visit the schools, we don’t encourage our kids to do their homework or to make good grades or we fail to support the needs of the school.

I have been wounded.  A boy at me school called me the N-word.  While it kinda hurt my feelings I ignored it.  I wanted to call him a name back but I didn’t.  I just walked away.  I did wonder why he felt he could say that and what he really meant by it.  For a few minutes I felt sorry for this young guy.  I realized that he is never happy, he is always causing confusion in the classroom and his friend list is very short.  I did not give it much thought because I know I am not an N-word. 

I think in today’s time it is hard but not impossible to build a good community.  But to begin the building process everyone has to do their part.  Even the little things.  If you see trash in the street, pick it up.  Or, if you litter, stop it!  If you have a chance to donate a dollar, donate a dollar.  If the school asks for tissue or wipes, buy an extra pack when you go shopping and donate it.   Everyone doing a little thing can be a start.

Wounded, yes…….broken, not yet.  So, there is still a chance to turn this thing around.  I want the world to be a better place for me and my friends when I grow up and become a leader.  Writing these essays remind me how important it is to do.

Name: Harper Lanier

Grade: 7th 

School: Davidson Charter Academy

Church: St. Stephen United Methodist Church

Pastor: Rev. Arnetta D. Beverly     

How “We can Build a Beloved Community in a Wounded World”

To build a beloved community in this wounded world we should get rid of the excuse of ignorance that plagues society. In this day in age we often hear many discussions about different opinions, cultures, and how certain people act. Many of these discussions are associated with derogatory or negative connotations towards different types of people. I believe this is due to ignorance, a lack of knowledge or information. Even in political and global affairs, people make assumptions about how other people act, behave and experience life. This ignorance leads to conflicts. Instead of understanding one another and talking about issues, people argue and insult each other due to an unwillingness to listen and learn. From various media sources on the internet and news outlets we are witness to quarrels further dividing people instead of bringing them together. Even Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. acknowledged the danger of ignorance saying, “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” If we keep arguing then no progress is going to be made and more conflict will arise. 

These prejudices, stereotypes and microaggressions stem from assumptions based on appearance, speech, dialect, and gestures which foster beliefs because people do not know or appreciate other people and do not want to understand their culture. Again such assumptions are prone to ignorance and not based in truth. To build a beloved community I suggest we eliminate the excuse of ignorance that allows for various assumptions to be made about different cultures and societies around the world.

There are many ways to combat ignorance in society including asking questions about different cultures, researching, and interacting with people. These basic actions can help ease tensions, perhaps creating a bridge where we can discuss meaningful solutions rather than spawning more conflict. If I have a certain understanding of you as a person, I can feel empathy and therefore help compose a new solution that can help both of us. By asking questions, you can further your knowledge in a more meaningful way. Asking for clarification can ease tensions and foster transparency rather than reinforcing the notion that only one person or one idea is right all the time. By eliminating the excuse of ignorance we create bridges to foster understanding and bring people closer together. Through this we can make a difference and can build a beloved community in our wounded world.

Name: Joshua C. Lewis

Grade: Senior

School: Graham High School

Church: St. Matthew United Methodist Church

Pastor: Rev. Rodvegas Ingram

Connecting to our Communities

As provided in the prompt, the word “wounded” is an adjective that is used to describe

something that has been injured or changed out of its original state. Our world today is in a state of being that is “wounded”. Many people go without shelter, violence has spread across the country leading people to do harm to others, and other social issues like racism and equal rights have impacted the United States, as well as various other countries in the world. All of these things mentioned and many other aspects also directly impact communities and can decide whether or not they are bound to thrive in society. Because of this, it is necessary to ensure that these communities are able to do so. I believe that to build a beloved community in this damaged world, we need to provide for and connect with others by intentionally meeting others and creating meaningful and caring relationships like Jesus did.

Specifically in the United States, social problems like discrimination and inequality have

put down certain groups of people, such as African American and Hispanic individuals. Because of this, it is difficult for these people to bounce back and flourish in society like others. It also causes certain people in communities to resort to violence to acquire what they want, since it is challenging to do it in normal circumstances. This is why those who are more fortunate are in a position to step in and positively impact these situations. A way that we are capable of doing this is giving back to the community and making connections on a personal level. My church regularly holds a day in which they hand out food and goods to those that could benefit from some assistance, using the food pantry. This presents a great opportunity for the community to come together with the church members and even possibly become closer to God because of their knowledge of the church. They are able to visit services and perhaps even invite others to service. Because of this, there is a stronger community, trust, and reliability being built through these connections. Another possible connection is by having dinner church. When this event takes place, the community is able to come to service and enjoy a meal while studying the bible.

By doing this, we are able to provide for and connect with the members of the community, as well as witnessing to the beneficial relationship with God. By stepping up, creating relationships,and encouraging people, we are able to make progress in society.

In society, many different groups of people experience hardships and need

encouragement. This is why we should step up and help those in need, creating meaningful

relationships that can change ourselves and other individuals. Because of these impactful

relationships that are formed, it helps to build a strong and beloved community!

Name: Nani Carson

Grade: Junior

School: Northwest Guilford High School

Church: Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church

Pastor: Rev. Ellis Carson