Hi folks, we are living in difficult times right now and we need to look after each other… at the moment we will continue to meet, but if you have underlying health issues then please consider staying away. If any of you want to talk or need specific help because you are self-isolating, then please do contact me and if we can help we will.
This week we are meeting at the Crescent Club in the upstairs lounge overlooking the bay, it would be lovely to see you if you are able, meeting at 8.00pm.
This week as we consider our latest ‘Prophet or Influencer’ we are thinking about Michelle Robinson, or Michelle Obama as we know here. She grew up on Chicago’s South Side. She studied sociology and African American studies at Princeton University before attending Harvard Law School. Returning to Chicago, she specialised in intellectual property law. In 1989, while at the firm, she met Barack Obama, who had been hired as a summer associate. Seeking a more public-service-oriented career path, in 1991 she became an assistant to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. The following year she and Barack, then a community organiser, were married. From 1992 to 1993 Michelle was the assistant commissioner for the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, and in 1993 she founded the Chicago branch of Public Allies, a leadership-training program for young adults; she served as the branch’s executive director until 1996.
Barack was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996, and that year Michelle became the associate dean of student services at the University of Chicago, where she helped organise the school’s community outreach programs. In 2002 she became the executive director of community and external affairs for the University of Chicago. Two years later Barack was elected to the U.S. Senate and came to national prominence with a speech he gave on the final night of the 2004 Democratic National Convention. In 2005 she became vice president of community and external affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Centre.
When her husband announced his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, Michelle took a prominent role in his campaign. She took leave from her position at the University of Chicago to devote herself more fully to campaigning. Her openness on the campaign trail and in interviews, often humanised her husband by discussing his faults and implored observers not to “deify him”—endeared her to many.
On November 4, 2008, Barack was elected 44th president of the United States. As first lady, Michelle was involved in various causes, notably supporting military families and ending childhood obesity. In an effort to promote healthy eating, she planted a vegetable garden on the South Lawn of the White House in 2009.
During the 2016 presidential race, Michelle supported the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, and her speech during the party’s national convention drew widespread praise; noting the coarse tenor of the race, Michelle stated that “when they go low, we go high.”
They attended a Methodist church before being elected and at the 49th African Methodist Episcopal Church’s general conference, Michelle Obama encouraged the attendees to advocate for political awareness, saying, “To anyone who says that church is no place to talk about these issues, you tell them there is no place better – no place better, because ultimately, these are not just political issues – they are moral issues, they’re issues that have to do with human dignity and human potential, and the future we want for our kids and our grandkids.”
Some questions
Ultimately Michelle became First Lady, what is the most unexpected thing you have done?
One of the areas of her life that struck me was her support to her husband during the campaign… How can we be supportive in complex difficult times, particularly at the moment?
How do you feel about opening up about your own faults and failings?
I love the phrase “when they go low, we go high” what do you think it means and how does it link to being a follower of Jesus?
What areas of your life does “when they go low, we go high” mean for you today?
What areas of life do you think ‘the church’ should be more proactive about?
Peace, Rob
Rob Wylie is the founder of BeachcomberFX and guides its leadership team. He has worked in the North East for over 20 years and has vast experience from various roles he has held. He has a passion for Fresh Expressions of Church and Pioneer Ministry as well as beer, beaches and Miniature Schnauzers.