by David Clark

Working with the CFV this past semester has been so enriching and has encouraged me to reflect more deeply on how I use my skills and passions to create a more inclusive community. I worked with First Congregational UCC Church over the past semester as their Just Peace Intern, and it wasn’t until I got this chance did I begin to question how my life overlapped with these efforts.

To me, just peace requires a conscious commitment and work to improve the worldly community so everyone can have opportunity. It also means that we must be able to welcome in others who are different from us to have a holistic view meant to create justice. In discussions with other CFV interns and internship mentors, I was able to see how this work is deeply rooted in my own personal values, and I concretely identified what these were with Marguerite’s guidance. Identifying and reaching out to my mentors was another crucial part of this process that I know will aid me as I continue to search for my true vocation and others who have these same goals.

Being able to experience so many aspects of leadership throughout my leadership has also given me the resolve to continue working on behalf of others. In all, my work with First Congregational exposed me to community organizing, religious leadership, ways to best cultivate inner peace, professional correspondence skills, and above all, moments to practice community-building. First Congregational prides themselves on being a space for everyone to inhabit and be themselves, regardless of their moment in life or other stigmas they face in the outside world. The CFV and the mentoring program helped me feel validated in this work to create a more inclusive and welcoming community, far beyond what other volunteer or service opportunities ever have before.

It is my hope that my experience over the past semester continues to inspire me to reflect, advocate, share, and advance my own vocational experience in the Indianapolis community and in my future endeavors. I know First Congregational is a faith community that has benefitted from my gifts and passions only because the Center for Faith and Vocation has encouraged me and other Butler students to think critically about why we do what we do. We are all thankful for this experience and will continue to share what we have learned this past semester.

Congratulations to all my fellow interns as well! You all rocked your internships this semester!”