Listen...To Each Other
- Jan 29
- 2 min read
Meet our new Associate Researcher, Charlotte Long! ✨
Charlotte Long (MDiv) is an interfaith chaplain, migrant advocate, and researcher on religion and gender in justice movements. She has a background in performance, writing, and youth spirituality. She would love nothing better than to curate your food tour of Chicago.
Let's get to know her a little more.
1. What’s a small but meaningful way you show others they’re truly heard?
I'm a big believer in going slower than normal conversation, repeating back what people have said to me and allowing them time to correct me. It usually goes, "I'm hearing you say... Do I have that right?" It helps me remember the content of the conversation better and cuts through any projecting or translating I might be getting wrong in my head.
2. What advice would you give to others who want to build stronger connections within their faith communities?
Many small groups and mentors connecting in a variety of ways! I think that most faith communities thrive through a network of connections, mentors and leaders as opposed to relying on just a few visible (and overworked) leaders. Some folks want to connect through doing, some want to sit down and have a cup of coffee, some want to be students in a class. Having multiple channels for leadership creates sustainability through leadership changes and builds consistent institutional knowledge. It also allows people more choices to connect based on their comfortability. Not everyone connects with the same people in the same way!
3. What is one book that shaped your approach to ministry?
The book "Sustainable Youth Ministry" by Mark DeVries was very popular and useful when I was coming up as a Youth Minister. It helped communities move away from relying on star power in leadership. I have also always been deeply moved by the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children and the Unitarian Universalist curricula "Build Your Own Theology." I continue to mine Paolo Freire's "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" for gems.
4. What is one podcast you’d recommend?
I listen pretty seriously to "Science Vs." It has great hosts, and great ways of understanding studies related to everyday choices I make. It also debunks a lot of scary pseudoscience which allows me to relax a little more! I also love "Heavyweight" for a good human-centric story.
5. Fun one: Would you rather read minds or control your own dreams?
Oh man - I'm sure I would regret it, but I would rather read minds. However, as an empath and relational person, this is a slippery slope and could truly drive me indoors permanently!
Check out more of the great work that Charlotte is doing below! 👇
DePaul Migration Collaboration at DePaul University featuring Charlotte's report "Filling In the Gaps: Faith-Based Housing Beyond City Services":
https://law.depaul.edu/academics/centers-institutes-initiatives/depaul-migration-collaborative/Page…
Religious News Service Article:
