(After Hurricane Katrina): “Once again, as in Genesis, there is a ‘vast waste, darkness covers the deep and the spirit of God hovers over the water.’ But this time God waits, to see what we will create. … A prayer for all of us: ‘Beloved, our hearts have been broken by the suffering of these great storms. Since there is nothing as holy as a broken heart, help us to stand in this holy place of brokenness and compassion, to know that we are truly one, to begin the work of healing and redemption that is Tikkun Olam.” (Rev. Judith Coates, ChI 2006)
"I understand the term 'Beloved Community' to mean an inclusive, interrelated society based on love, justice, compassion, responsibility, shared power and a respect for all people, places, and things—a society that radically transforms individuals and restructures institutions." (Rev. Shirley Strong, ChI 2004)
“We need a collective vision that describes the kind of world we want to create, while inspiring and motivating us to work to bring it into existence. … We need a vision that calls us to our highest and best selves: a vision for the 21st century that is grounded in both our sociopolitical circumstances and in Judeo-Christian traditions of prophetic justice.” (Rev. Shirley Strong, ChI 2004)
“Let us open our Divine Mind to a change in consciousness that insists upon the well-being of all... Envision this new world, and then when you leave here today, bring this vision into your respective lives and communities. Embrace it in your prayers, sing it in your songs, echo it in your affirmations, create it in your art, teach it to your children.” (Patricia Stamm, ChI Student)