When Seeking Solace, Bolstering Faith, and Finding Hope, Look Here

Mar 27

Most of us seek peace and love in our lives. How we get there is the essential challenge and/or reward of our life’s journey. Arriving at those goalposts appears ever more difficult as of late. So when more of the chatter I heard was about the world generally being regarded as spinning out of control, I was propelled to host a candidate for my Ladies Who Lunch Conversations videocast who could give us some guidance and offer suggestions on how to cultivate the elusive sense of well being and harmony.

I am blessed to share with you that I found the perfect candidate: Jeanné Lewis, National Faith Leader, CEO, Faith in Public Life. My special guest shares how we can find peace and comfort in life; especially in times of collective change; great distress and despair.

Jeanné Lewis, CEO, Faith in Public Life

Jeanné is a rare spirit, imbued with wisdom, grace, and passion, who delivers informed, pragmatic insights in her extremely poised ~ and calm demeanor.

First, a little background to heap on the gravitas Jeanné delivers and contributed to our Conversation (the link will take you to the full videocast)

Background

Jeanné is dedicated to building bridges between groups to find new ways to create just and empowered communities. Originally from the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she has lived and worked in four states and the District of Columbia to challenge systemic inequities. As Vice President and Chief Engagement Officer at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), Jeanné leads the team that designs and implements strategies for engaging progressive social justice nonprofit organizations and more than 120 foundation supporters. This includes signature initiatives such as the NCRP Impact Awards. Her efforts result in a deeply engaged philanthropic sector more open to learning from social justice movement leaders.

Her earlier positions have drawn on her expertise in building unlikely alliances which generate new initiatives to promote justice and support marginalized groups. Before joining NCRP she was the Director of US Programs at Search for Common Ground; one of her major initiatives advanced bipartisan conversations among members of the U.S. Congress and other government leaders about the impact of racism on policy. Prior to that, Jeanné worked to build a network of support organizations for military families impacted by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. She also led a restorative justice program for New Hanover County Public Schools in North Carolina, and worked as a faith-based community organizer in Ohio and Florida. Her broad-based experience includes designing discussions and workshops to advance constructive interaction and social justice for international audiences. Jeanné has delivered these forums to elected officials, ambassadors, clergy, executives and other leaders.

Jeanné serves in several volunteer roles, including the Board of Directors of Faith in Public Life. She is a member of St. Augustine Catholic Parish in Washington, D.C., where she resides. She was an inaugural member of the Leadership Council of Within our Lifetime, a national movement to end racism seeded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. In her free time, she sings with SongRise, D.C.’s women's social justice singing group. She received her undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and her M.A. in Conflict Resolution from Antioch University Midwest.

Jeanné recently finished a bipartisan congressional pilgrimage to South Carolina with Rep. Jim Clyburn & Sen. Tim Scott for America's 250th Anniversary, the Semiquincentennial ~ (which no flag waving American will ever be able to pronounce!)

What makes Faith in Public Life unique is that it pursues a “belief in the collective power of a deeply rooted multi-faith community; committed to giving grace, deepening relationships, and creating and nurturing partnerships through shared knowledge, trust and mutual respect for one another” as noted in their words. Faith in Public Life’s mission is to advance the moral imperative for a just, inclusive and equitable country that allows each of us to live into our full humanity. We do this by building power and cultures of belonging among diverse influential faith leaders and resourcing them to expand the narrative on the vision for our democracy.”

Jeanné’s noble bearing reflects her life experiences and her lineage that heralded a legacy of faith activists: her grandparents started a church and organized against literacy tests in NOLA. Now, Jeanné leads an interfaith coalition of faith leaders working toward the common good. She promotes leadership and creates coalitions across differences to achieve shared goals.

How to Discover Hope and Peace

My key takeaways are: (after you watch the videocast, please share what your key takeaways are?)

God loves us. God is outside of time. Trust in God. God seeks us. God wants us to love one another. Prayer is fundamental. Be vulnerable with God. Talk to God. Sitting in confusion with God is prayer too and that grounds us, even in our chaos. Prayer is listening.
Her work is a calling vs. “just” a career and why that matters; how she sustains herself in times of stress and crisis. The importance of self-care. And a “day-in-the life” description that might make you breathless…
To embrace a sense of tranquility and hope, do the seemingly “little” things, don’t feel the need to take on the big political issues! She suggests that perhaps helping a loved one, family, and your community can engender comfort, peace, & purpose. Just spend time, no agenda. This can also help foster hope and a sense of control that leads to less stress, more comfort in our daily lives.
Emphasis on communicating with a foundation of what we share, rather than what divides us, not listen to those who would have us fear one another rather than embrace those things that bind us together. These shared values and practices, especially as espoused by her Faith in Public Life work, are more plentiful than our differences. In our faith traditions she tells us we all have similar stories about how to get closer to God. She has a wonderful story her aunt has inculcated in her. This reflection informs her ability to build bridges, to embrace our shared commonalities.
How to build power via organizing people, manifesting civility ~ (the lack of civility and a sense of moral outrage or shame is my personal lament of late); building teams by demonstrating empathy and recognition of effort. Collaborate.
Faith in Public Life’s mission is to advance the moral imperative for a just, inclusive and equitable country that allows each of us to live into our full humanity. The organization achieves this by building power and cultures of belonging among diverse influential faith leaders.
Leadership is service; a public service
Lean into your friends for supportive love notes ~ good strategy for building your resilience and purpose 🥰

*As in some of our previous Conversations where guests shared some “breaking news," likewise, Jeanné too announced that she’d been planning and working out a plan for a big initiative kicking off in a few weeks that will engage 25 thousand people of faith. She promised she’d come back to us with all the details. I eagerly await to hear and share!

In our Conversation we also enjoyed some fun moments. When speaking of religious rituals, Jeanné triggered one of my childhood memories at mass, that I’ll just refer to here as my “God drinks beer” moment! You’ll have to watch the videocast to hear this story 😆

I asked what her friends would say about her (a person of integrity, funny) and generous ~ in spite of not wanting to share her stuff, (legacy of being an only child) 😍

Compelling ~ And Fun ~ “Food for Thought”

I also asked Jeanné what her favorite drink is (you might be surprised), and she also shared her preference of what to drink during the summer season. I inquired about what she’s reading now and her book recommendations. I know that I’m surely going to follow up with two of the three (already having read one).

I love this recommendation ~ It’s a novel that is right up my alley. I looked up the overview and share here for your convenience (to purchase or to Libby)

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a world-renowned allegorical novel about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who journeys from Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of treasure, discovering his "Personal Legend" and inner wisdom along the way. Published in 1988, the book is a modern classic that emphasizes the importance of following one's dreams, listening to one's heart, and recognizing omens.

Another reading recommendation is her exploration before going to sleep at night; she turns to Souki poetry, which she says is beautiful, contemplative, and introspective. (The poetry often focuses on nature, which in itself is also calming and meditative.)

I also can’t resist including a quote from a book I, regrettably, just finished ~ as an audiobook it’s even more fabulous. I loved Kin sooo much, I didn’t want it to end. The writing, the layered themes, are extraordinary… I want to share a quote here as I think the admonition feels right: “Every path leads to the cemetery and it’s up to you to be ready to see the Lord.” I felt this resonates with our discussion on seeking peace, solace, and hope because it speaks to making every day count, to manifesting love and grace in all of our relationships ~ personal and public. Don’t wait to appreciate one another before it’s too late… I “hope” you agree.

To honor Jeanné and that promise of hope that spring heralds, I designed a tablescape brimming with nature’s green, peace lilies, and the scales of justice (justice is a core value of her organization). The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) widely symbolizes peace, purity, innocence, and rebirth, often gifted to convey sympathy or hope during difficult times.

The cool blue of the plates and eggs is a symbol of calm and tranquility.

The Joanne Buchanan (a previous, delightful and very talented Ladies Who Lunch Conversations guest!) napkin rings are lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) which symbolizes the return of happiness, purity, humility, and sweetness. The flower also signifies spring, renewal, and good luck. The napkin rings amplify the lily of the valley champagne glasses. 🥂

I’ll write more about the table decor in a separate post with details there; but wanted to highlight the thought behind the design symbolism here.

Following our Conversation, I can readily admit that I am renewed in my outlook; less anxious, hope restored in a positive, enduring way. I feel strongly that you’ll understand how Jeanné manifests compassion, integrity, and moral values ~ all of which brings us that spiritual and pragmatic message of renewal, restoration and a guiding, steadfast faith, no matter the chaos. God is enough. He’ll take us through the storm. Jeanné is so very inspirational. We need her wisdom and perspective now more than ever.

In addition to watching the videocast on my Ladies Who Lunch Conversations Facebook page in the link I provided above, you can watch it on YouTube (in case you’re not a FB fan/friend)

You can also follow Faith in Public Life on Instagram and on their Facebook to support their philanthropy, learn of their work and organizational activity.

The organization is dedicated to “Advancing the moral imperative for a just, inclusive, and equitable country so everyone can live into their full humanity.” Amen to this.

Thank you so much, Jeanné.