Thanks to all of you who prayed for the 2012 Pro Deo Conference that happened last weekend (3/17 - 3/18). The Conference was hosted by Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia (CLCP), and it brought together about 30 law students, lawyers, paralegals, and even a few undergrads who were passionate about exploring their role in bringing justice in ways that reflect God's crazy love for this world.

Our church, where the
conference was held.

During the conference, an elder from our church, Barb Weidman, spoke vividly on the meaning of shalom and the depth of our world's brokenness as a result of the fall; three women from our church and one from CLCP's board shared about being women of faith in the legal profession; a young attorney spoke on how she prayerfully responds to the injustices experienced in her firm surrounding issues of race and gender; CLCP's executive director, Pete Hileman, shared about mediation and Christian peacemaking, a powerful ministry of which he is a part; Dr. Ron Sider also came and gave a talk on the Biblical meanings of justice.

From what I heard, it sounds like participants left invigorated, stimulated... and exhausted! :) Most everyone indicated on their conference evaluation forms that they would come back for a Pro Deo Conference next year - what great feedback!

On the opening day of the conference, I had the opportunity to help with many last-minute preparations, hear Barb's opening talk, and listen with anticipation to Ted's address on "a vision for pro deo lawyering!" (see links under the photos) He was filled with enthusiasm and gusto as he gave his talk, and I was so happy to see him well-received by all.

Another big event for Ted, and for CLCP! Thank you for your prayers!

 

Ron Sider's talk

 

Ted's talk

   

Pete's talk

You can also listen to the Women of Faith in the Law panel here.

Thankfulness

I wanted to take a moment to share of an opportunity God has provided and one reason I am rejoicing. In our recent prayer letter, I wrote of my desire to understand better what the ministry of reconciliation means in my own life and this world. As I was starting to recognize this desire, Ted stumbled upon Duke's Center for Reconciliation, and a program they offer in May called the Summer Institute. The Center is run out of Duke's Divinity School and is co-directed by Chris Rice and Emmanuel Katongole. The Institute's purpose and tagline - the Ministry of Reconciliation in a Divided World - was enough to get me really excited.  

A few weeks ago, I applied to the Institute, and I found out last Tuesday that I got in! May 28 - June 2, this is where I'll be and what I'll be doing. Every afternoon, I'll participate in the seminar Building Beloved Communities of Justice and Advocacy with "the Poor." Please continue to pray as this opportunity draws near for me.

Duke Divinity School's Chapel -where morning sessions are held
at the Summer Institute

Pro Deo time!

Tomorrow night, 6pm, marks the start of CLCP's first ever Pro Deo Conference.  One of Ted's dream projects since he was in law school, the Pro Deo Conference will be "a place for lawyers, paralegals, students and friends to gather, celebrate  and articulate answers to difficult questions. Questions like “What is my calling as a Christian in the law?”, “If Christ was a lawyer, what would his practice look like? and “How is a Christian attorney different from any other?”

The name is a play on the Latin pro bono, meaning "for the public good." What if we saw our work primarily as pro deo, for God, instead? How would that drive our sense of work and vocation differently?

Talks include, Shalom, Biblical Foundation for Justice, Biblical Peacemaking, Contemplating God at the Law Firm, Women of Faith in the Law, Corporate Social Responsibility, and A Vision for Pro Deo Lawyering. Phew! And guess who is giving that last presentation?  None other than Mr. T.A. Oswald himself! ;)

It is set to be a monumental event, but we desire your prayers! Please pray as 40+ participants gather at our church for fellowship and discussion. Pray particularly for the speakers, as they prepare to share wisdom and cast a vision for young and seasoned lawyers alike who want to utilize their gifts and skills to be salt and light in this earth.

www.clcphila.org/wp/pro-deo-conference/ 

Time Together

What was on the menu? Chicken
marbella - a new one for me!

After legal clinic this week we opened our home once again for a "debrief" dinner for volunteers. It was fun! As I did the grocery shopping and prepared the chicken marinade on Wednesday night, I thought to myself how enjoyable this can all be.  At my worst, I'm the anxious chef calling my mom multiple times from the grocery aisle to double-check on ingredients. But when I relax and remind myself that the purpose of our clinic meals is to enjoy fellowship, learn more about each other, and reflect on the work of CLCP, then I am more free to enjoy the preparation process. A helpful reminder - it's not about me! :)

Table set for 8.

Thursday night, we had another great group: a board member Regina, the executive director Pete and his wife Wendy, two contract attorneys working on community legal education with the clinic, and a law student at Temple who was commencing her hard-earned Spring break by eating with us!

We went around the table and shared what we've been grateful for - today, or in the past week. It was neat to hear how many of the attorneys were grateful for their afternoon at the clinic that day. Many clients came, and there were enough volunteers to assist them. It seemed like God had orchestrated divine appointments all around.  Thank God for the ways He moves!

Our great group for dinner. Thanks to all who came!

Good for the soul

There are few things so energizing as laughter and good conversation with friends.  I would also say that few things are as satisfying and enriching as cross-cultural experiences that take you out of your everyday comfortable "routine" and expand your appreciation of life...

In this past week, we had both!

First, last Saturday -  a wonderful celebration with neighbors. The "cross-cultural" aspects came in as the baby shower started two and a half hours after the start time listed on the invitation (but certainly not "late"), the conversations around us were mostly in Spanish, and the food and drinks were thoroughly Puerto Rican -  out of this world amazing!! Our friends were such gracious, wonderful hosts. They went out of their way to take such good care of all of us - constantly refilling our cups with sugary, delightful drinks. ;)


It had been awhile since Ted and I were led into that realm of unpredictability where you really have no clue what and how things are going to unfold. It's a familiar feeling though -took us right back to some nights in Haiti. I personally appreciated it. It's such a great thing to be invited into other people's lives for these precious moments. But after 4 hours of baby shower madness, we were pooped :)


The following Friday, we had the opportunity to see good friends for yet another celebration! It was a friend's birthday, and our friend B picked the perfect spot in South Philly for us to celebrate. Sitting at the back of a family-owned Italian restaurant, where all the pasta is homemade and the owners regularly come out to chat with you, our group of six enjoyed delicious food and laughed (almost to tears) until we closed the place down. Even though it was well past 11pm, the owners never would have kicked us out!  You could tell that they loved the fact that we were enjoying their place.