Day Four - The Center for Social Empowerment

It is hard to believe, but today was our final day of work!

Today, we spent the day at The Center for Social Empowerment (CSE).

The morning was spent looking at our racial and social identities and the ways in which these identities have been shaped through family, friends, society, and culture. We also looked at the ways in which we have or have not experienced and encountered privilege and/or discrimination.  

We created racial autobiographies through artistic representation as well as took part in an exercise known as a "Privilege Walk."

After lunch, we got to spend time with the kids who are attending the Summer SURGE Academy, a camp that is offered to local children that takes place at Wellspring Church where the CSE is housed as well.

Following our time with the kids, we met for a time of reflection, thinking about the ways in which - as the CSE puts it - we might go back into our own community and "hold up our corner."

As we have been all week, we were spoiled for dinner! Tonight's meal was pasta, garlic bread, and salad. YUMMY! Thank you Alicia and Frank!

Our devotion tonight was led by Jen, Spencer, Samantha, Matthew, and Mariah. The devotion centered around John 21:18-19. The group guided us through three devotional stations where we able to contemplate about our week, think deeper about the text, as well as share about the moments in which we encountered God.

"'Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.' (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, 'Follow me.'" (John 21:18-19)