generations : mackenzian

SAGETable was an initiative of SAGE, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders.

Living with my grandparents for six years was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. Life with them was quite structured, but full of what I needed and all the kindness they had to give.

In the years since, I’ve thought a lot about multigenerational communities and what it takes to do them well. I had another opportunity to do that tonight by cohosting a #SAGETable event at the offices of Intersections International with SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) and the LGBTQIA ministry of Marble Collegiate Church, GIFTS.

Our #SAGETable program invited people from different generations to spend time together over a potluck meal and some discussion questions. We welcomed people’s favorite dishes, their openheartedness, and their willingness to share their experiences and perspectives.

As I scanned the crowd tonight, the Hebrew Exodus story came to mind. The way I learned that story as a child, an entire nation crossed the sea to safety. Their enslavers were in hot pursuit and still they all crossed, regardless of age or ability or speed. They all crossed and they crossed together.

SAGE designed the #SAGETable events to remind our communities nationwide that we have much in common and many great stories to share… and we can’t see justice one generation at a time.

All of us must cross the sea: all souls and all ages. And sometimes, amidst that journey of justice-seeking and escape from oppression, we might also pause to enjoy a meal.

What If The Kids Don’t Want Our Church?

“What happens when a generation comes along that doesn’t care about the game you’ve spent so much time buying equipment for, has little invested in the durable nature of the stuff you value? … You could spend your time trying to convince them that they have a responsibility to value the things you value… Convince them the stuff they value is pointless and shallow. That should work.” —Derek Penwell*

Heh. You could tell them they’ll value what you value when they get older, are truly converted, and/or mature. You could explain that their perspective has been skewed… because, y’know… Culture. Secular Education. Relativism. You could tell them that Jesus’s best intention when he wandered around with his disciples was to set up a 501(c)(3) 5-tiered corporation with leadership (s)election via closed-door committee. Yes, that was in the master plan; if only they’d had the system we have today.

Surely the kids will understand all of this when they grow up. Won’t they?

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* Derek Penwell writes at The Company of the Eudaimon and tweets @reseudaimon.