From the IEI Faith & Community Team

New Year Reflections

Ellen Beasley: “I wrapped up 2022 with a solo backpacking trip in Europe. As a lover of people and hater of being alone most of the time, this trip was so special in kicking off what I feel is a next chapter in my life. Through therapy and my gal Lexi(pro), I feel like I have begun feeling my truest self over the course of the past couple of years of forced (covid) personal growth and being alone. I am looking forward to another year of personal growth, but this time I am choosing it instead of lockdown choosing it for me. Send me all your podcast and audiobook recs!”

Kylie Foley: “I’m desperately looking to take things less seriously this year. The times I manage to deflate my anxiety are the times I can step back and giggle, shrug or sigh. And move forward! As the world becomes more serious – serious problems, serious escalation, serious consequences – a slight unraveling of my stoic duty is a welcome resolution for me. It allows me to prioritize my time, give copious grace to others and myself, and quickly analyze the ‘serenity prayer’ stats of any given situation.”

John Parker: “I’m having a renewed enthusiasm about shifting the percentages of how I spend my time. For example, increasing the percentage of time ‘being with’ and decreasing the percentage of time ‘doing tasks.’ More one-on-one relational catch-ups outside, plus walking meetings. Exploring creative ways of doing the work that maximize connections and relationships, with sincere interest in supporting what’s possible. Growing our team of partners, friends and colleagues focused on similar goals. Simplifying wherever possible, and leaning into what feels alive, emergent and life giving.” 

What We’re Looking Forward To Engaging

• Our IEI Talent First Economics Forum (Feb 13 in Raleigh)

• Our IEI Faith & Community Conference (Feb 28 in Greensboro)

• Triangle Interfaith dialogue (monthly, 3rd Tuesdays)

• Community Food Strategies’ Community Food Gathering (March 15-16 in Rocky Mount)

• NC Rural Center Rural Summit (March 20-21 in Raleigh)

• Learning and Leadership Virtual Summit with Prevent Child Abuse NC (March 27-28, online)

Resources We’re Gleaning From

• Community Food Strategies’ report: 12 community insights for a North Carolina “that does food differently”

• Community Engagement Can’t Be A Checklist from Shelterforce

• Interfaith Resources from the Triangle Interfaith Alliance

• Engagement Resources from the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California

• Resources from the Ministry Collaborative

• Virtual Meet-up and Study Groups with the School for Contemplative Living (New Orleans)

• Online Compassion Practice (Emory) 

• Truth, Racial Healing, & Transformation Initiative and Resources from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion resources from NC State’s Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity

• Bookmobiles to the Rescue and other fabulous stories and reports from around the South through Scalawag Magazine

What We’re Reading

• Evidence Based Practices for Clergy Wellbeing report (Duke Clergy Health Initiative)

•  “Local Policy to Promote Healthy Food Access: A Food Systems Framework.” This updated resource (previously titled “Crosswalk”) can aid policymakers, leaders, advocates, researchers and others understand the range of policy options for communities seeking to increase access to healthy food. It shows how local laws—including legislation, administrative regulations and executive orders—can promote access to healthy food at various points along the food system. The new version also highlights planning documents, such as comprehensive plans and sustainability plans, which are often used to guide development and evaluation of local laws and other efforts. The resource is available at: healthyfoodpolicyproject.org/framework

• Restoring the Kinship Worldview: Indigenous Voices Introduce 28 Precepts for Rebalancing Life on Planet Earth by Wahinkpe Topa (Four Arrows) and Darcia Narvaez

• Healing Haunted Histories and (re-reading) Ambassadors of Reconciliation (I & II) by Ched Myers and Elaine Enns

• Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedraw Glover Tawab 

• What by Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo 

• Fight Like Hell: The Untold Story of American Labor by Kim Kelly

• Having Nothing, Possessing Everything by Michael Mather

What We’re Listening To

• Twenty Four Seven: on caregiving

• Negotiate Anything: on negotiation and difficult conversations

• Maintenance Phase: on wellness, debunked and decoded

Finally, a friendly reminder, for further engagement around: 

• digital inclusion: contact Kylie Foley, kdfoley@ncsu.edu 
• educational attainment, intergenerational collaboration, youth development, and health-related ministries: contact Ellen Beasley, mebeasl2@ncsu.edu
• economic and ecological resilience, cross-cultural and multi-faith partnerships, workforce and community economic development, ministries related to healthy & conscious aging or eldering, and community food systems: contact John Parker, jdparke8@ncsu.edu