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There is a wonderful chapel in the
United Nations that is close to a magnificent Chagall window. I was
initially drawn to that window and then decided to go into the
chapel. The chapel itself is very stark. There are a few small
footstool chairs, a large rock in the middle, and muted light at one
end. The longer I stayed in the chapel the more at peace I felt. I
then read how the chapel was designed. It was designed by Dag
Hammarskjold to be stark so that it might be filled with the
creative stillness of the centers of people who entered it. That is
the feeling that I have about this photograph.
It invites me and my imagination into
wondering what yearnings, tears, hopes, aspirations, mission,
connections, confessions, love, forgiveness, healing,... have
occupied this seat and this offering plate and what might yet to
come. Like the chapel at the UN it is our lives in all their
complexities, hopes, and promises that adorn this space. The picture
invites me and hopefully others into considering and living Ubuntu.
The empty bench connects us to the past and to the future and
beckons us to ask again: Will we genuinely welcome the wonderful
diversity of humanity to sit, sing, and pray there and help change
the fabric, mission, and ministries of the community already
assembled? So this photograph leads us to other questions,
explorations, challenges, and opportunities.
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About The Rev. Dr. Melford E. "Bud" Holland |
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The Rev. Dr.
Melford E. (Bud) Holland, Jr. is a Senior Consultant,
Trainer and Executive Coach for
The Dialogue Center for Counseling and Consulting
For ten years, Dr.
Holland led the Office for Ministry Development (1998-2008) at
The Episcopal Church Center in New York. Prior to that, he
served first as rector of a vibrant suburban congregation
(1982-1993) and later as Deployment Officer and Bishop’s
Assistant for Ministry in the Diocese of Pennsylvania
(1994-1998).
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His experience as a visionary leader, creative program
developer, consultant and skilled convener/host/facilitator of
mission-driven work groups runs wide and deep. Dr. Holland is
a graduate of Wake Forest University (BA), General Theological
Seminary (M.Div.) and Princeton Theological Seminary (Th.M.,
D.Min.). He describes his special interests this way:
I enjoy working with others in discovering new creative ground
for conversation and work, engaging in strategic planning, and
utilizing resources to maximize the possibilities of mission
and ministry. I believe that we all have gifts and wisdom to
bring to the table. Valuing the ministries of others I seek to
affirm and deepen the capacity of the church to articulate a
vision of reconciliation and respond to that vision with
creativity, energy, and commitment. Knowing the importance of
leadership I have been involved in many leadership development
initiatives as well as discovering ways to keep my own
leadership skills fresh and current.
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