From apprehension to belonging and shared joy: living Acts 2 today

Meghan Sloan-Gray of Blue Springs, Missouri, reflects on her experience at the Philippines Writers Summit, where an initial sense of uncertainty gave way to belonging, creativity, and shared joy across cultures. What began with apprehension became a lived experience of Acts 2, as people from many nations formed a community shaped by openness, listening, and the Spirit at work among them. This reflection was shared on Beyond the Walls on April 12.

Two months ago, I arrived in Roxas, in the Isabela province of the Philippines, for the Community of Christ International Resource Summit. I was excited but apprehensive. Not only was this a new culture and country—thousands of miles from my own—but I also was feeling unsure of my giftedness. Yet, incredibly, 70 people from 23 different nations created a vibrant, spirit-filled community! Almost immediately upon entering the Shaw Center for the first time, our community coalesced. The spirit of Pentecost, with many languages, cultures, and songs, was as real and as vibrant as what is described in Acts. In the mornings and evenings, we were transported to and from our hotels via jeepneys, which are decorated, repurposed U.S. Army jeeps. About 20 people crammed together on two long rows facing each other. We were families in those jeepneys, checking in with each other, sharing donuts in the morning and in the evenings highlights from the day, ensuring no one was left behind before our driver departed. 

Community of Christ is Blessings of Community. It was strangely and wonderfully disruptive to be in a developing society and faraway nation where many of us felt uncomfortable or unfamiliar. We were all in the same boat together! That knitted us closer together. It also made me more aware of my own creature comforts and blind spots. I stopped complaining about my dirty hotel shower, which might be much better than someone else's back home! The country and culture were, in fact, an aid in going deep spiritually. I was definitely unsettled, worrying about always having enough clean water, access to a toilet, and even the luxury of a hot shower. Being willing to try new experiences and flavours, to hop on the jeepney, write the poem or paint the picture that is intimidating, clasp the hand of a stranger—these have been unsettling but usually rewarding experiences.

Community of Christ is Unity in Diversity. I remember the night that we returned from a trip to a local village after hours in a bumpy, hard-seated bus. Many of us were exhausted from the jerky bus ride that seemed to never end. I was grumbling to myself (and maybe to my bus-mates), and then a noisy group unloaded from another bus. They were singing! The nerve of them! I was so tired and only wanted the quiet of my hotel bed. But they persisted in their joy. They sang and invited other people into the group, and pretty quickly I found myself dancing along. And then I smiled, and I sang. And you know what? That was exactly what I needed at that time! They lifted my spirits and helped me rediscover the joy of the moment.

Community of Christ is communities of joy, hope, love, and peace. I arrived very aware that I was a white American with a story that has often been heard and prioritized over others. And I tried to listen to other stories first and foremost. But I was also deeply inspired by everyone’s creativity. As I continue to reflect on the Summit, I want to share more international voices with my congregation and mission centre in the greater Independence, Missouri, area. The stories, both joyous and heartbreaking, of our siblings across the world have not always had the platform they deserve. But their languages, cultures, and contexts make our Community of Christ tapestry richer and more harmonious. And indeed, “God pours out God’s Spirit upon all flesh!”

Community of Christ is the Worth of All Persons and All Are Called! In closing, I’d like to share a poem that I wrote along with Shannon McAdam, Kahealani Drollet, Kareva Tetumu, and Kerstin Jeske. We combined descriptions of each of our homes in the USA, Canada, France, New Caledonia, and Norway into one, beautiful whole:

We are maple-smoked bacon, chicken noodle soup, porc rillettes, Chinese food and sashimi, and curried deviled eggs.
We are brown coal and birds singing; church bells; crickets and dogs barking; smells of cedar overhead and underfoot; scented candles burning.
We are mama; Jayson and Andrew; Charlotte and Savannah; Annamaria and Sophia; baby Otto and his sister to come.
We are sand of the rivers; limestone cliffs, woods, and burbling creek; fjords; prestigious castles of the Loire valley; mountains to the north.

Watch Meghan's REFLECTION

Watch BEYOND THE WALLS—APR 12