Our Minister

Thoughts from Rev. Marguerite Lovett

Denis L. Paul was fellowship by the Ministerial Fellowship Committee two weeks after being ordained at the San Francisco church.  In a recent conversation, I asked him what he thought about the seminar they told him he needed to take.  His response was inspiring and renewed my faith in the good people who serve our movement on the Fellowship Committee.  I asked Denis to put his thoughts down in an e-mail message so that I could share them with you.  

Love, Marguerite

“The seminar they wanted me to take was in Congregational systems, using the work of Edwin Friedman and his studies of Bowen Family Systems. Honestly, I couldn't understand why they requested that, considering I had already read most of Friedman's books and had a good understanding of the workings of family systems. But, getting to go after a couple of trainings in Somatic Experiencing for my work at the Fools turned out to be a huge blessing. I got to use the trauma healing approach of SE, and apply it to church systems, and then pick up one of the shortcomings of Friedman's work, which is dealing with the effects of systemic oppression and the hurt that so many people of color feel in predominantly white family systems. I ended up having some major revelations that literally change the way I see so many things, and that in turn lead to some wonderful conversation with Larry Matthews, the Friedman protégé who leads the seminars. Again, what a blessing it turned out to be.

So, even though I didn't understand the reasoning of the MFC, it really turned out for the best. I can't wait for the second session!”

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