Sexuality Savvy Seminarians

A few months ago I received a call from a woman who wanted to know where the Moriah Institute stood on matters related to human sexuality.  She was not sure what it meant to be a sexuality savvy seminarian as is indicated in our “About Statement.”  It never occurred to me that one might perceive uncertainty in this phrase.  Though we do youth development through Rites of Passage programs for youth in grades 10 – 12, we also work with adults in a variety of settings.  One such setting is the seminary.

The Moriah Institute has been offering sexuality and spirituality education workshops, courses and seminars now for over seven years.  Our work has been focused on faith-based institutions with specific attention on seminarians, clergy and lay leaders.  Through comprehensive courses in seminaries along the eastern United States, we have covered numerous topics in sexuality and spirituality with an aim to explore truth in biblical texts, examine traditions, study human reproductive biology, glean knowledge from historical issues, inquire about ethical concerns and needs crying our in our world today; finally, we help students gain insight into attitudes and beliefs through personal introspection.

There is a need for sexuality savvy seminarians who are prepared to engage community and congregants in meaningful education in the area of human sexuality and spirituality.  A need for learning experiences that promotes a sense of wholeness before the Creator, making informed healthy decisions about dating, marital communications, and social interaction with friends.  Sexuality savvy seminarians can offer needful support and information for parents who are struggling with ways to communicate sexuality values to their children.  Sexuality savvy seminarians are not timid in helping congregations create codes of ethical behavior that mitigate against sexual misconduct and double standards for men and women in leadership and followship.   Sexuality savvy seminarians act on justice issues for those who have been victims of sexual violence. They teach, preach and design ministry that promotes safety and care for all regardless of sexual orientation.

Though we understand the needs people may have for the labels to indicate whether one prefers same or different male or female spouses or partners, we don’t think labels tell you much about the loving heart of the person being labeled.  Labels can’t tell you if the person is faithful, caring, passive, active, a burden or a benefit to the relationship.  Labels can’t tell you how much a person is hurting or if they are abusers or if they will support you when you need it.  A sexuality savvy seminarian knows that it is more important to ask “can I help you” rather than “what’s your sexual preference?”  A sexuality savvy seminarian understands that all are welcome to the love feast and whosoever will, let them come.

We have led courses at Drew University School of Theology, Howard University School of Divinity, and Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology; are currently leading a course at New York Theological Seminary. We look forward to working with other faith-based organizations in the future.

The Persistence of Hope

Recently I attended a wonderful conference in which there were people from a diverse group of vocations who shared from the scope of their experiences.  They focused on the plight of the many people in America who are made 2^nd class citizens as a result of mass incarceration financed through the prison industrial complex in America.  Michelle Alexander, author of the insightful The New Jim Crow provided a sobering portrait of the present conditions for inner city youth and young adults, especially Black and Hispanic males (and increasing numbers of females) that are caught up in the criminal justice system.   In view of this reality, youth development can seem a daunting challenge with such a force aimed at desecration of the human spirit

But one thing that shone throughout the conference that I could feel in my heart… a hope; it was like a solid shaft of light down through a small crack in a mountain of callous corporate greed; a shaft of light shinning on the slight clump of damp earth on the cave floor and out of that tiny mound of soil was a single sprig of a tree, bedecked with bright green leaves reaching toward the sun.  It is the strength of hope that leads me to stand firm, it is hope I heard from the participants to continue to love and to believe that a change is realized through dedicated efforts informed by care and being present to young people.

The work of The Moriah Institute is a branch growing on a tree inside the mountain.  That tiny tree symbolizes our sense of hope for the work we do everyday.  There are conditions in our society that would tell us that all is lost but this is NOT TRUE! 

Our children face tremendous challenges, but they are full of potential and if given the right amount of support and encouragement, there is always the possibility of their wakening to the meaningful contributions they can make to family, community and society.  It is one of my great joys to hear the testimonies of teens as they realize that they are citizens of the world, they have inner strength and they have the resolve to pursue their goals.

I believe this is the time when we must nullify the hard hearted around us; and seek ways to break through in spite of what the world would tell us.  Our activity is an important link to fulfillment. It is our persistence of hope that makes the difference. 

I invite you to join with us to support adolescent development through our Rites of Passage program.  We may be a small part of the sprig in the mountain but we are stronger each day that the light is sent from above. Visit our website, donate your time and resources, and call us with ideas. 

Rev. Dr. Mariah Britton

CEO and Founder

Wishes for 2012

May those who go in dread have no more fear.
May may captives be unchained and now set free,
And may the weak now receive their strength.
May beings help each other in kindness. 
May the Lonely no longer be alone.
May travelers upon the road
Find happiness no matter where they go.
And may they gain, without the need of toil, 
the goals on which they set their hearts.

--benediction from Buddhist scholar Shantideva

Best wishes to all for a year of joy, vitality, inspiration, fulfillment, and love.