Community Path to Hope and Progress
In our messy and often unstable world, living well highlights the importance of community, teamwork, and learning together. It urges us to stay involved, work alongside each other, and hold on to hope for a brighter future, even when everything seems uncertain.
Michael Clague, a dedicated community worker, emphasizes this idea in his sermon titled “How Do We Live Well in a World Which Seems to be in Such a Mess?” He believes we can change how we view social progress and tackle the fears and doubts of our times.
Clague asks “How can we live well today?” Drawing from his years of experience in community organizing, he suggests that the key lies in engaging in community work and collective action. Instead of seeing community efforts as temporary fixes for specific issues, we should view them as ongoing practices that strengthen our social connections and create lasting change.
He points out that “social progress is not linear; it is episodic.” While we may face setbacks, the combined efforts of communities can lead to significant transformations over time. For Clague, real progress isn’t just about big laws or top-down changes: it’s about everyday acts of coming together, learning to collaborate, and nurturing hope even when times are tough.
In today's world, Clague's insights resonate more than ever. With climate change reshaping our planet and global tensions creating instability, the role of community is crucial. He argues that instead of feeling overwhelmed by challenges, we should turn to our communities, listen to each other, and act from a place of cooperation. Clague reminds us that “We have choice in how we conduct our relations with those we know and with strangers.” Our daily interactions hold great power.
Clague encourages us to rethink what social progress really means. He advocates for a vision that prioritizes well-being, fairness, and the quality of our relationships rather than simply chasing material wealth. He calls for a “fundamentally different description of what social progress looks like.” This means ensuring that everyone has access to basic needs, moving beyond the limited choices of capitalist systems.
However, Clague does not ignore the difficulties that come with community work. He acknowledges that “communities can also be places of oppression.” Therefore, we must strive to act with the best intentions for the benefit of everyone, especially the most vulnerable. This requires a commitment to self-awareness, continuous learning, and the humility to recognize our mistakes: qualities essential for creating real change.
At its core, Clague's message is one of hope, rooted in action. He believes that community relations and engagement serve as a “life raft of hope” during turbulent times, reminding us of our capacity to support each other and work together for a brighter future. By focusing on strong, equitable, and collaborative communities, we can address urgent challenges and establish a more resilient world.
In times when despair can easily take over, Clague’s reminder that “every touch makes a change, and every change changes the toucher” inspires us to see that through our small acts of kindness, progress is possible. His perspective teaches us that even amid chaos, we can find strength in community, collaboration, and a shared commitment to learning.
The need for a new understanding of social progress is essential. Instead of focusing on material wealth, these communities can redefine success by prioritizing strong human relationships, environmental care, and collective well-being.
