Pádraig Ó Tuama
Saturday, October 26, 5:00 p.m.
The inaugural Jim Sell Community Conversation will take place on October 26 at 5:00 p.m. at Christ & St. Luke’s.
For this first conversation we have invited the great contemporary spiritual writer, poet, and teacher, Pádraig Ó Tuama, to talk to us about the value and challenge of maintaining a spirit of community in divisive times and what role communities of faith can play in holding us together when so many other forces are trying to drive us apart.
Pádraig Ó Tuama spent many formative years in Northern Ireland, during and after that tragic period known as “The Troubles.” His experience during this time of extreme division has deeply informed his ministry, especially as the leader of the Corrymeela Community in Ireland—an internationally renowned organization engaged in the work of peace building and reconciliation.
His work now focuses heavily on the power of the spoken and written word. His internationally acclaimed podcast, “Poetry Unbound,” explores the human experience and opens doors into the perspectives of others in ways that only poetry can. He is the author of several books which explore the complicated and beautiful relationship between humanity and the divine, including In the Shelter and Being Here.
We are aware that the societal climate this fall will be acrimonious. In honoring Fr. Jim Sells’ legacy, we wanted to hear from someone who could offer us some recourse and resources to combat that anger and that animosity and help us overcome it.
Mission
We believe in the idea that small actions can have large effects, and so we hope that these community conversations inspire other conversations to flourish. All are invited to the table, to sit together, to learn from one another, and to “go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.”
Click here to purchase a copy of Jim Sell’s memoir, Learning to Live.
Background
Jim Sell served as Rector of Christ & St. Luke’s from 1990 to 2005. This service was bookended by his earlier work with Episcopal communities in West Virginia and New Jersey in the 1970s and 1980s and his “retirement” career as an interim rector, consultant, and mentor at parishes in Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, and back home in Virginia.
Jim lived a long, full life that was enriched by the people in his “community.” This included his family, friends, colleagues, and parishioners, as well as neighbors, community leaders, and really anyone else with whom he may have crossed paths. On the eve of his 80th birthday, he passed away peacefully in his sleep. Earlier in the day, he shared his reasons for being an Episcopalian. You can read the full document here.
“I rely on my fellow worshipers to honor me with their tolerance, kindness and generosity of spirit. I trust that they are engaging in the same interior dialogue with God that I am. We may end up with different answers to our most pivotal questions and, surprise of surprises, we can affirm the validity of all of our quests.”
Your Invitation to Join the Conversation
A check can also be mailed to Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 11499, Norfolk, VA 23517 and include “Jim Sell Community Conversations Fund” in the memo line.
