Jesus Was An Organizer

Episode Eleven

If you know about community organizing, it might be because our 44th President Barak Obama put a spotlight on his former job. But today’s guest says Jesus was organizing long before that. Emma Shafer, a Springfield native and community organizer, shines her own kind of light on the power for good that comes from working together for positive change.

Introduction

Emma Shafer grew up in Springfield and returned to her hometown after completing a degree in urban studies to work as a community organizer for the Faith Coalition for the Common Good.

 

Takeaways

  • Don’t complain; organize.
  • Change happens when people organize around a common goal.
  • Effective change is accountable and measurable.
  • Charity is necessary but it won’t make change; only organizing can do that.

 

Resources

 

Emma’s connections

Faith Coalition for the Common Good

The New School

Gamliel Network

M.E.R.C.Y. Communities

 

Local issues, groups & causes

Pretrial Fairness Act

Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines

Moms Demand Action Illinois

Springfield Rail project

 

Playlists

Emma’s playlist

  • Swimming to the Other Side, Pat Humphries
  • I Wish I Knew How it Feels to Be Free, Nina Simone
  • Everyday People, Sly & The Family Stone

 

Sister Marilyn Jean’s playlist

  • Come Back to Me (Hosea) by Michael Talbot
  • Let There Be Peace
  • How Can I Keep From Singing

 

Access the playlist on Spotify here.

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