A Friendly Conversation Leads to a Discussion for All

Articles, memes and posts are circulating about what our country’s founders did or didn’t intend to include in the formation of our nation’s founding documents. It makes me wish I had paid better attention in civics class! For me, that was 9th grade, I was 14 and had other topics on my mind. You can guess what they might have been!

As I grew in age and experience, I learned to value the importance of listening to and learning about history. This applies to the histories of people I meet, institutions, cultures and countries.

Recently, I was meeting with several friends and discussing the interest in and need for more understanding on our part of the relationship between church and state at this time in our country. That is how the idea for the panel discussion on a conversation about church and state was born. I approached the Fernandina Observer staff about sponsoring such a discussion, and they agreed.

We began to talk about gathering a couple of folks who could bring different perspectives to the table and how we would set it up. We were not as successful as we had hoped in getting panelists with more divergence of opinion to participate and we were turned down by several people we invited. We decided not to be discouraged and to proceed with the conversation, realizing every topic can’t be covered in a two-hour meeting. We hope to plan future discussions, depending on interest and on how this one goes.

Here is the basic information about the event:

I am very pleased with those who did say “yes” to being on this initial panel. I thought you might want to know a little more about each of them and why they agreed to serve.

Tarah Dunlop is the mother of three, owner of several local businesses, and a former board member of the Amelia Island Museum of History. She is in the second year of a four-year Education for Ministry program through St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

She agreed to be on the panel because she has an extensive personal background in the Fundamentalist Christian tradition that brings a perspective to the context for church and state dialogue. She is very interested in how sovereignty, rule of law and natural rights relate to this topic.

Brian Ernst is a proud citizen of the Delaware tribe of the Lenape nation. He is a father. He is a world-traveling artist, musician, and activist with a deep passion for Indigenous studies. He agreed to be on the panel because, without such discussion, there isn’t hope for the Indigenous peoples and nations. Dialogue is part of the change he wants to see for the world.

Jay Kayne is a local author and blogger. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from Johns Hopkins University. Previously, he directed the Institute for Entrepreneurship at Miami University of Ohio and directed commerce policy studies at the National Governors’ Association. Jay is a member of the Amelia Island Jewish community who describes himself as an “orthodox agnostic.” He agreed to be on the panel based on his strong belief the establishment clause of the First Amendment is central to the American experience and his observations of how theocracies, past and present, by their very nature, are exclusive and repressive.

Zen Waters is a local street worker, a social justice activist and a longtime volunteer. She attended both an evangelical school and a Jesuit college. She says her lineage represents the American melting pot! As a person of faith, she accepts all faiths and no faith. She believes in science, evolution and climate change. She believes the true work of love is in the streets. She is honored and humbled to be a voice on the panel.

John Hart (moderator) is a retired USAF Judge Advocate (JAG) and father of four. He has experience with and training in mediation and alternative dispute resolution over a 30-plus-year career. He agreed to serve as moderator because he is deeply concerned by our nation’s polarization and its effects on our fragile democracy. He sees the panel as an opportunity to facilitate dialogue.

Linda Hart Green (host) is a retired American Baptist minister with 35-plus years of experience as a local church pastor, chaplain and denominational consultant. In retirement, she is a local artist and co-owner of an art studio and gallery business. Her years serving in the greater Boston area, where the Baptist faith came to these shores, piqued her interest in church and state issues. She agreed to host this panel because somebody had to do it!

The panel format will begin with a time of welcome and introduction by me and a greeting and blessing in the Lenape language by Brian. Each panelist has been asked to prepare a five-minute presentation from their perspective. The moderator will facilitate questions among the panelists between the presentations and then open the floor for questions. Attendees will be provided with paper and pencils to jot down their comments and questions. On the reverse side, attendees are welcome to add evaluative comments and suggestions for future topics and panelists. Microphones will be available so that questions from attendees can be heard.

The Peck Center auditorium at 516 S. 10th St. in Fernandina has a large and welcoming space, good parking and is ADA-compliant.

I hope you will set aside the evening of August 7 from 6-8 p.m. and bring your thoughts, ideas and questions to this community event. Participants are enthusiastic about welcoming each of you to the conversation. We hope to see you there!