PASO stands for Pan African Student Organization and its membership is made up of students of African, African-American and Caribbean heritage. The organization’s goals are to provide a space for fellowship and networking among student members; sponsor activities that contribute to the breadth of McCormick’s social, cultural, spiritual and civic identity; provide advocacy for members within Student Session and with the seminary administration; disseminate information to members to assure that they stay engaged in a full range of campus activities; and encourage our members to participate in all aspects of McCormick community life.
In my role as moderator, I hope this year to help foster an atmosphere within PASO where we truly embody the meaning behind PASO’s logo:
This is the symbol of unity and human relations. It is a reminder to contribute to the community, that in unity lies strength.
However, I realize that for many members of PASO who are commuter students and part-time students, juggling seminary, work, family and often ministry in their home congregations, it can be overwhelming and the need to focus can often force one into isolation just to get all the work done! The problem is that in isolation you can also start to feel alone. For this reason, I think it’s particular important for PASO to be intentional about community engagement and take some responsibility for one another while on this seminary journey. There was a Swahili word I learned in Jennifer Ayers’ ethics class that sums up PASO for me and that’s ubuntu, "I am what I am because of who we all are."
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