L Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Office hosted the third Mission Matters workshop on March 11. The workshop brought together Sisters and SCL employees to consider ways to collaborate on the SCL mission beyond the employer/employee relationship.
JPIC Office Lead Coordinator Rebecca Metz shared that the SCL Community is working toward creating a situation where employees could be granted up to 24 hours a year to spend on mission-related activities. Details are still being worked through.
For the March 11 workshop, Metz encouraged participants to dream about activities that could integrate the mission with employee and Sister activities. “Dream without barriers,” she said, “What does the mission look like to you?”
The assembly broke into small groups to brainstorm. Sister Pat Johannsen thought employees and Sisters could work together at the Interfaith Community of Hope homeless shelter. Sister Sharon Smith suggested a community meal shared between Sisters and employees on special SCL days. She also shared that perhaps employees and Sisters could work together in the final stages of home building and restoration with Leavenworth Attainable Housing.
In another group, Sisters Rita McGinnis, Jean Anne Panisko, and Vickie Perkins mulled over the logistics required for employees to perform service work as an optional activity during their work day. “There needs to be a way to meet all employees,” said Sister Rita, of the day and night-time workers.
At yet another table, Sisters Elizabeth Skalicky, Rejane Cytacki, Rachel Flynn, Mary Jane Schmidt, and Margaret Hogan suggested pairing Sisters and employees as “Mission companions.” “It’s hard to know everyone, so we could just start with one person for prayer or coffee or a meal,” said Sister Rejane.
The workshop ended with each group sharing their ideas. We look forward to seeing the “good that’s yet to be” from the Mission Matters workshops.
