Traverse City - Town Hall

By Sister Nancy Sylvester, IHM

September 27, 2014

Trees were already changing as we drove north to Traverse City. It was a lovely ride with time to reflect on our earlier breakfast which served over 500 people in need in Muskegon which was a rich experience for us all. Although we were a bit delayed because of road work, the crowd was exuberant as we came off the bus and came into the auditorium.  Over 160 people spent the bulk of this beautiful fall Saturday discussing ways to strengthen democracy.

The format is the same with Simone Campbell, SSS, NETWORK Executive Director, kicking off the meeting followed by each of us introducing ourselves and sharing why we were on the bus. On this trip there is Mary Ellen Gondeck, CSJ, Linda Werthman, RSM, Carol Coston, OP, the first Executive Director of NETWORK and me, Nancy Sylvester, IHM, the second Executive Director.

After people buzzed as to when they first voted and to whom; which person living or dead you most admired; hopes for our country we then spoke longer about what concerns us and how can we move forward.

Their concerns echoed those we heard among the people of Lansing and Kalamazoo: wealth disparity, homelessness, an inadequate minimum wage, climate change, need for caring and personal responsibility.  But what was energizing and hopeful were the multiple voices who raised up the need to find new ways to approach the problems; thinking outside the box; sitting down and conversing with those who think differently. Other ways included new approaches to redistricting, campaign financing, getting the disenfranchised to vote; and engaging young people.

What cannot be captured that well in words is the hope that the ‘Nuns on the Bus’ engenders among those gathered. There is something magical about that “Bus”. When people sign their names to the bus  they know they are joining with so many others who believe in democracy and are willing even with  the current dysfunction of our political system to commit themselves to strengthen our government by the people, with the people and for the people.  

With “I Will Vote” pledge cards in hand and all of us with a renewed energy we took our leave. As the sun is setting the “Bus” heads down to Flint.