A Good Morning’s Work: Reflections on a Chaplain’s Shift at OWS
by Posey Krakowsky
I am a Protest Chaplain at Occupy Wall Street. Our group formed spontaneously about 6 weeks ago in response to the occupation. As people of faith, we feel called to respond to those who are brave enough to lift their voices in prophetic, peaceful protest to the inequities and injustice they see before them. Since our first visits to the sight in September, we have been working steadily to define and refine our mission there. We are a diverse, interfaith group. We are comprised of both clergy and lay members. Our main purpose is to bear witness to the voices of the occupation through listening, presence, and prayer. We do not have an agenda; we are there to listen and be present for them wherever they are. We are willing to give of ourselves so that others may be supported in their efforts to be heard. To that end, we are trying to establish a constant chaplaincy at Zuccotti.
But I think our work affects many more than the residents of Zuccotti.
Last Thursday, I worked the morning shift with a fellow chaplain, Renee Monrose. During the time we were there, we spoke to at least 20 people who were visiting the occupation for the first time. Two were women from Argentina. Some were from other parts of the United States. Many were New Yorkers. At least three were from Poland. Some were fellow clergy members. Several were students from local colleges, coming down to do research for assignments. They all had the same questions: What is a Protest Chaplain? Why are you here?
The work we did that very morning provided answers to these questions: bearing witness took many forms that day. Our help ranged from the practical (answering questions about where to find particular resources) to the pastoral. One man spoke to us with distress of having been kicked awake in his tent just a few hours earlier. Another told us of how he and his wife had lost their house and car: his wife, an attorney, had been laid off, and was out of work for nearly 2 years. Renee spent a long time speaking with a medic who works at Zuccotti – he had witnessed and tried to defuse the incident earlier that day. Another man told us that he had just arrived from Ohio; he was planning to visit every Occupy site across the country in order to show his support. All of these protesters expressed frustration with the status quo, hoping that their willingness to stand against “business as usual” would inspire our country to re-examine and reconsider what we are doing. Hearing their stories was humbling – we felt honored that they would open up to us. As we listened, we realized they were no longer strangers, they were neighbors we had not yet met. By the time we finished talking, they were friends.
Explaining this to the “visitors” was another form of chaplaincy we did that day. To see the looks of appreciation on the faces of those who came from other countries – these were moments of joy. To feel the support from our fellow clergy from other states – these were moments of revitalization. To answer the earnest questions from the college students – these were moments of hope.
This was a good morning’s work. I look forward to my next shift in the park.
