Outline of Report:

A Fourth Dialogue Series Offering
St. Cloud Hospital: Host and Co-sponsor
Context
Sacred Time
“Woodlands” Videotape
Introductory Remarks
Main Presentation
Dr. Howard’s Closing Comments
Baha’i Prayer
Credence Table Bearing Symbols of the Sacred
Next Session of Social Justice and World Religions Series
Written Feedback from Participants at 9/15 session
Refreshments, conversation, and helping out

UNIITE received some program funding for the present dialogue series from Central Minnesota Community Foundation and more substantial program funding from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), New York. UNIITE’s fiscal agent: St. Cloud Area American Indian Center.

The two main organizations that created and developed several series of dialogues in St. Cloud, MN, are the Center for Interfaith Encounter (CIE) and its non-profit wing UNIITE (Understanding the Need for Interfaith/Intercultural Togetherness and Education). Since the summer of 2001 these series have become possible thanks largely to in-kind donations of space, time, talent, and materials made by area churches and businesses which may be generally glossed under the umbrella term Create CommUNITY and by many large-hearted individual visionaries too many to list.

A Fourth Dialogue Series Offering

Social Justice and World Religions is the fourth major series. The seed of this one comes from the heart and mind of Prof. Dan McKanan of the School of Theology, St. John’s University. This seed could hardly have been planted and grown if it was not for steady, ongoing support from UNIITE’s dedicated board members who hail from diverse religions and cultures and who have been laboring silently as one person, as it were, to create and sustain this series. Web design and its ongoing maintenance are entirely in the provenance of Ms. Norhashimah Erpelding. The series moderator is Dr. Mary T. Howard, co-founder of the St. Cloud branch of the NAACP, psychologist at the St. Cloud V.A. Medical Center, and a member of the Unitarian Universalist community of St. Cloud.

St. Cloud Hospital: Host and Co-sponsor

The inaugural session of the series was co-sponsored by St. Cloud Hospital. Roxanne Wilson, Bret Reuter, Vicki Ruegemer, and other members of the Diversity Committee of St. Cloud Hospital magnanimously placed their time and resources at the disposal of UNIITE to make the first session in the Windfeldt Room at CentraCare Plaza a great success. Mr. Reuter personally helped with set up and ensured that everything (VCR, sound system, lights, refreshments, copies of handouts) from start to finish and clean up was efficiently run to the general satisfaction of all concerned. He even arranged for signs to be posted right from the entrance of this rather new and sophisticated building and for two volunteers and a supervisor to provide day care. He announced that continuing education credits (CEUs) were available to any St. Cloud Hospital employee who was present that night and who might be interested in obtaining his signature

Context

According to a head count taken by Mariani Nazareth, there were between sixty and seventy people who showed up for UNIITE’s program on September 15, the eve of the first visit ever of any incumbent president of the United States to St. Cloud. On the world scene, the US invasion against Iraq continues to be waged as an ongoing war that seems to deepen rather than lighten the encircling gloom. On the domestic front, the Democrats’ and Republicans’ battle for the hearts and minds of US voters continues to rage. In the ongoing bustle and din, UNIITE believes it vitally important to brush aside the thick rhetoric of politicians, to divert caring citizens’ attention from endlessly “elevated” levels of alert, panic, and fear, and to focus people’s spiritual gaze on the heart of the matter today: no peace without justice.

Sacred Time

Memorabilia concerning September 15th and world religions: The inaugural session took place on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year’s Day 5765, the anniversary of the creation of the world. It was the first day of the Ten Days of Awe for repentance which conclude with the highest Holy Day of Judaism, Yom Kippur (24-25 September 2004). September 15th was also Ghambar Paitishem, the closing day of a 5-day Zoroastrian celebration of the creation of the earth and the harvesting of the summer crop. Finally, 15 September 2004 was the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (United Nations). The timing of Prof. Cheeseman’s presentation on this mid-September day could hardly have been more serendipitous.

Other memorabilia concerning September 15th and social justice: September the 15th 1830 marked the First National Negro Convention in Philadelphia, PA. The same day in 1963, four African American schoolgirls were killed in a bombing at 16th Street Baptist Church, Montgomery, AL.

“Woodlands” Videotape

At 6 p.m. sharp, Mr. Reuter got the videotape rolling on a large screen. It was “Woodlands: the story of the Mille Lacs Ojibwe” a classic documentary that gives an authoritative first-hand account of the rich 400 year history of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe from its beginnings to the present—the Ojibwe Nation’s origins in the northeast, its migration to the Upper Midwest, conflict with and displacement of the Dakota Nation, encounters with the early fur traders, settlers, and lumber industrialists, unhappy engagement with the US military and the federal government especially with regard to treaties that were “honored” by the latter for the most part in their breaking. The fascinating narration, historical footage, music, and personal interviews with tribal Elders in the documentary had to be reluctantly interrupted at 6.30 p.m. as it was time to start the dialogue.

Introductory Remarks:

Dr. Howard welcomed the audience and congratulated UNIITE. A leading African American woman, she disclosed that she was part Cherokee. She invited the audience to support this newest local non-profit UNIITE with generous tax-deductible contibutions, and introduced Anne Walters, Secretary of UNIITE’s board. Ms. Walters announced that there would be a silent auction—during a fundraising dinner for UNIITE—on 10/22, the final night of the series. That occasion was also going to mark UNIITE’s second birth anniversary. She invited volunteers to assist with approaching area businesses and faith communities to collect gifts for the silent auction.

Dr. Howard then introduced Mr. Reuter, Director of Spiritual Care, St. Cloud Hospital. For his part, Mr. Reuter also welcomed the audience to CentraCare Plaza, spoke of the Interfaith Meditation Room in CentraCare Plaza and took care of basic housekeeping.

Next, moderator Howard introduced Dr. Malcolm Nazareth, UNIITE’s executive director who articulated the questions that drive the series: Are world religions perhaps world-class opiates as alleged by some thinkers? Do religions contribute to the uprooting or to the reinforcing of oppression? He expressed gratitude that a well respected representative of the First Peoples of the United States would be the very first to address these questions and discuss “Native Americans and Social Justice”—which was in the fitness of things. Dr. Howard then introduced the main presenter of the day who teaches the Ojibwe language at St. Cloud State University

Main Presentation

At about 6.45 p.m., Prof. Gary Cheeseman began with a brief invocation in the Ojibwe tongue--to avert triggering off any fire alarms he refrained from using lighted sage grass for a smudging ceremony. He immediately said that the Native Americans do not have a “religion” but walk a spiritual path. He himself was not an “elder” but one in close touch with Native American elders and one who participated in sweat lodges, pipe ceremonies, and sun dances. He could not find a better way to address the huge topic of his presentation in any better way than to tell a story, an art in which he excels.

Cheeseman first summarily recounted an indigenous creation story, then captivated his audience by recounting his main story--about empathy. For, how could there be a just society if people didn’t care about things and about each other knowing that “all are relatives”? Was it ever going to be possible for poverty, oppression, and despoliation of the environment to be extirpated from humankind today if people failed to feel their basic interconnectedness with the downtrodden and oppressed and indeed with Mother Nature, with the rocks and minerals, with plants, trees, animals, birds, and fish?

Prof. Cheeseman was openly and subtly humorous in delivering his spontaneous lecture as he moved freely in the square space around which the audience was seated. He did not shy away from making a few controversial statements about his heroes, namely, some Native Americans who have been long suffering survivors of inner-city subhuman existence and who sometimes needed to consume alcohol. He did not refrain from making a “politically incorrect” remark as presidential fever continued to mount in the nation and as St. Cloud prepared itself for President G. W. Bush’s visit the following morning. Indeed, for me the clincher was Cheeseman’s response to a woman’s pointed question about the unjust, dehumanizing policies of our own present government. Cheeseman described these deeply troubling policies as desperate attempts of the elites to cling on to White Privilege.

He loved the audience’s response to his presentation and he particularly expressed his appreciation for the questions they asked. There was one question which Cheeseman singled out for appreciative comment, for it drew a direct connection between his insightful creation story and the current unjust situation of poverty and oppression in our incredibly inegalitarian society in the US today.

The questioner was trying to get Prof. Cheeseman to make explicit what was only implicit in his talk. He began by talking about a Native American creation myth in which humans come last and are of least importance, while Mother Earth is the center of value. Then he concluded by giving an example of the poverty and addiction that afflicts the Native American community. So the questioner asked if the earth-centered cosmology of Native Americans might point the way to a different approach to human poverty than that offered by the mainstream society. Cheeseman’s reply, in effect, was that yes it might—but evidently he wanted to leave it up to his audience to figure out the details!

Dr. Howard’s Closing Comments

After q & a, the moderator seemed to give comprehensive utterance to the felt experience of the audience when she said: “Gary Cheeseman, a masterful storyteller, presented a very engaging story that on the surface appeared quite simplistic, but encompassed much theory and was fraught with meaning. The story was only the tip of the iceberg and the audience questions permitted the excellent expansion of the many concepts that formed the foundation for the stories. His presentation made all of us think and look below the surface of what we see. I particularly liked his references to the earth’s importance rather than the people’s importance; his idea that we need to think of what we can do to change conditions; the idea of cyclical rather than linear thinking; and the concept of spirituality coming from inside rather than from outside.”

Baha’i Prayer

It was now 7.40 p.m. In keeping with CIE/UNIITE’s hallowed practice since Y2K, Dr. Howard then invited Dr. Jerry Wetterling to lead a prayer from the Baha’i faith. While the team of three (including Bette Bartos and Amy) came up to the front of the Windfeldt Room, Dr. Nazareth drew the audience’s attention to another of UNIITE’s interfaith practices: symbols of diverse world religions placed on a credence table in the front of the room.

Credence Table Bearing Symbols of the Sacred

Adorning the table and its layout was the responsibility of the leader of the hosting institution, this time Mr. Reuter. One could see a Native American drum and a dream catcher placed in the center of a credence table which was draped with a bright red shawl—the drape was particularly appropriate since since indigenous symbols in the Lakota tradition, for example, are wrapped and preserved in red cloth. The indigenous symbols were surrounded by a Bhagavad Gita and an Aum symbol, a laughing potbellied Buddha, a Jewish kippah, a Baha’i book of prayers in multiple languages, and a crucifix. Dominating the front space of Windfeldt Room were sacred bearskins and a wolfskin which had been draped on chairs and a jacket stand by Gary and Deb Cheeseman.

All these sacred symbols and the closing prayer were ways in which UNIITE tries to embody a message: all religionists and no-religionists, too, are included in any and every interfaith/intercultural dialogue. Our wish is that participants may feel free to bring symbols of their own faith traditions to place on the credence table at the beginning of UNIITE dialogues.

Next Session of Social Justice and World Religions Series

Next Wednesday’s session, on 9/22, in the Terrace at the Newman Center (on the northeastern tip of St. Cloud State University campus at 396 First Ave So) will roughly coincide with the global celebration of Autumnal Equinox when day and night are of equal length and light and darkness are in balance. This cosmic event is diversely celebrated by followers of Earth-based religions including Paganism, Wicca, Shamanism, and Druidry. For many such religions, this day marks Mabon (Harvest Home). This is a celebration of life’s encapsulation as a seed to survive the cold, barren winter and the Harvest of the Vine. This Harvest, as wine, symbolizes the Goddess’ power to transform youth’s sweet nectar into old age, wisdom, and spiritual maturity. All supporters of religious tolerance are invited to wear a little purple ribbon on 9/21-22/2004 as a way of raising awareness of everybody’s fellowship with Mother Earth. "Fight the Fear" is the slogan chosen to represent the purple ribbons (see http://www.fote.org/ribbon.htm) this year. Such ribbons may be purchased at a Dollar Store or Walmart, for example.

Buddhists in North America celebrate the autumnal equinox through the Fall Ohigon observance. Shinto practitioners have their September equinox services similar to those held in March. They call it Shuki-sorei-sai.

On our endangered planet, St. Cloud, MN, is located 94 degrees W and 46 degrees north. If the calculations of this student of geography are correct, the autumnal equinox would be roughly a little before 10.30 a.m., Central Standard Time on 9/22.

Presenter: Dr. Lalita Subrahmanyan
Topic: Hinduism and Social Justice
Time: Wednesday, 9/22, 6-8 p.m.

Available on Wednesday, 9/22, from 5-9 p.m.:
1) Free parking: in the parking lot outside Newman Center, as well as in parking lots AA and C which are located at 5th St and 4th Ave So.
2) Free daycare: in the Newman Center Terrace in the adjacent kids’ playroom.
3) Snacks and beverages: for all provided by host Newman Center at the conclusion of the closing prayer from the Jewish tradition by Ms. Flo Goodrich.

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