What is Emerging?
Posted on March 1, 2024, by Mary Ellen McElroy SL
At the Link gathering in St. Louis, Jean East opened one of the sessions with this quote: “Loretto Link is engaging in emergence … which is being in right relationship with change.” Now that is an interesting thought! Later I asked Jean if she would help me understand this concept better. She said these ideas came from the book by Adrienne Maree Brown, “Holding Change.” Brown believes change means understanding the relationality of all things. As applied to Loretto Link, Jean believes that as we emerge, we will be in right relationship with change by acknowledging the past, claiming the sacred, understanding our relationality to Loretto, each other, Earth and the possibilities we do not yet know. Now that is an intriguing and interesting perspective!
Furthermore, in pursuing Browns’ thinking, I learned that she describes her work of facilitation and mediation as basically “holding space” for change. To “hold space” or to “hold change” is to hold both the people involved and the dynamic energy of a room, a space, or a meeting, a community. So to “hold space for change” is to make it easy for people to move toward their vision and values and to navigate conflict when misunderstandings arise.
As I pondered these ideas I wondered: If more of us in the Loretto Community and Loretto Link were able to hold space for change, would that make it easier for us to move forward with each other? And if we became more receptive and non-judgmental with each other and let Earth and our Community hold us, would that make a difference in our conversations and decisions?
What is emerging within the Loretto Community and/or within Loretto Link, and how is it in right relation with change? If we look at the Loretto Community Groups agenda for the spring meetings, we will see many changes that will be up for voting at the July Assembly. Can we hold space for each other and trust that what is emerging will evolve us into the future?
If you would like to share your reflections with me, I would be happy to receive them. Thank you.
Sources: Jean East, coordinator of Loretto Link annual gathering, January 2024. Adrienne Maree Brown, “Holding Change,” 2021.
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