The Oldest Innovation: Community on the Margins

Anna Carter – Eden Invitation

I know, I know. “Community,” as such, isn’t innovative. It’s one of the most essential, deeply human aspects of our experience. God speaks it into us from the beginning: “It is not good for man to be alone.”

Yet, in a way, God is innovating. The animals don’t provide suitable companions for the human person (no matter how loyal your dog is). Instead, God creates more of us. He allows us to need each other.

So why, when it comes to LGBTQ concerns, do we tend to look for a quick fix? We look for which book we can recommend or what video we can send someone. Which talk does the other person need to hear? It’s a little transactional, as if we can input facts and output a deep sense of belonging to Christ and His Church.

We go along together.

Eden Invitation, the organization I co-founded and a winner of last year’s OSV Innovation Challenge, is getting back to basics. We’re trying to live into God’s primordial innovative idea: community. We offer a haven for Catholics on the margins of sexuality and gender. Because when you have space to rest—to belong—you’re more free to accept the radical grace of God. You don’t need the armor you’re accustomed to wearing. The energy you spend hiding your shame can go elsewhere. You can receive your whole, complicated person. You can grow systems of mutual support. You can be empowered for creative discipleship and mission in the world.

This past year wasn’t an easy one for incarnate community! That’s why we were so excited to host our annual retreat in April. We selected one of Eden Invitation’s core values for the theme: Mutual Belonging. We explored belonging to God, each other, and the wider Body of Christ. Retreat had all the elements you’d think of and more. We offered daily Mass and adoration. Spiritual mothers and fathers—priests, consecrated virgins, and religious—joined us. “Family groups” met consistently at mealtimes to process the weekend. We offered breakouts on prayer techniques, friendships, chastity, and discernment of gifts. We had socials and a talent show featuring original music and poetry, folk tunes on the accordion, stand-up comedy, and TED-style talks on anything from cryptocurrency to mindfulness. There was plenty of free time in a beautiful outdoor space.

The retreat brought together sixty-eight participants from across the country. Twenty-two states were represented, from Washington to California, from Rhode Island to Florida, and plenty of the Midwest in between! Participants were roughly equal amounts men and women, spanning ages twenty to mid-forties. Most were single, but some are married to the opposite sex—and two spouses came along! A handful of Christians from other denominations joined us too. I’ll let a few participants speak for themselves:

• “God moved me to tears on the retreat by revealing His intimate love for me. He has been reminding me that He loves me as a son.” – Andrew
• “I feel welcomed, valued, and uplifted as myself…I have been challenged to trust God more and to do my own work of spiritual growth and development.” – Kristen
• “The retreat provided a sense of fully belonging in the Church. [It] presented a positive outlook on life while upholding Church teachings. Phenomenal!” – Ethan
• “Retreat was primarily a space for me to receive God’s grace in the area of my sexuality and be open to His plan for me in the midst of that. He’s been equipping me to go and share His grace and joy with those around me.” – Matt

We go along together.

It’s what we’re trying to do in Eden Invitation, and it means you too. This June, the wider world will celebrate “Pride Month.” With the widespread vaccine rollout, you may see parades and parties. You’ll see friends and family members letting the world into their experiences of sexuality and gender on social media, perhaps for the first time. It may be tempting to post a link to the thread and log out, satisfied that your innovative evangelization work is done.

Remember one of God’s original innovations: human companionship. Pick up the phone. Treat your friend to coffee. Invite your sibling and their partner over for dinner. Receive the person right now, and pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance on the next steps as you go along together.