Molly Juza and I met in Spring-Summer 2023 when Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity hosted an 8-week Immerse course and a community book read about CCDA principles. Molly and I have deeply enjoyed attending and bringing community educational opportunities to life together since then. I was so excited when she said yes to my request for an interview to feature her perspective of community learning.

Question 1: What roles do you hold in the community?

Molly is primarily a mom of four children and directs the Local and International Missions work at Orchard Hill Church. She is a founding member of the Community Learning Collaborative (CLC), which exists to support educational opportunities about Christian Community Development principles in our community. Additionally, she serves on the Youth Art Team facilities committee and as a youth mentor through Try Pie. She has lived in Cedar Falls since 2005 and has invested countless hours in the Christmas in Walnut partnership between Orchard Hill Church and Walnut neighborhood.

Question 2: How did you first hear about the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA)? What was most important to you when you first heard of the 8 Principles of CCDA? What keeps you grounded in CCD work—any particular principle, all of them, or something else?

Molly first heard about the CCDA principles in Memphis, TN at the 2015 CCDA Conference. She had begun leading the Christmas in Walnut initiative at Orchard Hill Church the year prior and thought that it would be important to continue learning about the philosophical background behind Christmas in Walnut. While at this conference, Molly visited the National Civil Rights Museum. She spoke about how challenging the concepts were in the museum, and that she expected some sort of hopeful ending at the end of her visit. However, after seeing the struggle of Civil Rights as presented in the museum, it left her desiring deeper resolution.

Beyond this conference, Molly had regularly asked Laura Hoy, a local CCDA practitioner, questions about Christmas in Walnut and CCD principles. Though these conversations, the principle of Relocation stands out as the most important to her when she first heard of the 8 principles of CCDA. She said that Laura often reframes the principle of Relocation as proximity. Molly learned that she and her family could start to make an immediate difference in supporting neighborhoods by orienting themselves around a place. That place was Walnut Neighborhood, where Laura is a resident. Laura had invited Molly to come walking in Walnut neighborhood in addition to her responsibilities of leading Christmas in Walnut. Also, Molly and her family intentionally visited Walnut to support businesses. They got ice cream at Two Scoops, purchased products from Earth's Beauty, and visited Speller's for their hardware needs. Molly said that Laura modeled this behavior, saying, "I'm buying from this business because I want this business to thrive."

The principle that keeps Molly grounded in CCD work and educational activities today is Reconciliation. Molly recognizes strong divisions that exist in the world today and doesn't see a way forward without the Holy Spirit's solutions, including the power to love and forgive. Molly says that everything changes when we remember "my flourishing is dependent on your flourishing." When we know that we need people as much as they need us, we are able to take on the perspective of the other, which then begins to make us whole. Molly recognizes that systems keep people in problems that are sometimes insurmountable for a person to break free from without a system changing to become more people centric. This fuels her desire to continue spreading the word about CCDA.

Question 3: You helped form the Community Learning Collaborative (CLC) and have played a key role in its work in the community. What has that been like for you?

Molly's answer to this question, in short, is that she's loved it! "Learning is my favorite thing," Molly said, highlighting her enjoyment of everything we've done so far. She praised the speakers, films, panels, book studies, classes, and numerous perspectives of different authors during CLC activities this past year. Molly shared some valued insight: "We have no shortage of resources, but a shortage of places to discuss them." Most people who have attended CLC-planned events are looking for common ground.

Question 4: What has your favorite educational event been with the CLC and why?

On January 30, 2024, the CLC hosted a showing of PBS's Juneteenth Film and a panel discussion where five local Black History experts shared their thoughts of the documentary afterwards. This was Molly's favorite because of the different perspectives and large crowd that came out to the event. We saw 80+ people that night at Impact Church of Hope! She also really enjoyed the crowd's participation at this event and other Juneteenth Film showings we've done. Many people have contributed to thoughtful discussions afterwards. Additionally, Molly simply enjoys this film because it's approachable, she learned new things that she didn't know before by watching it, it's not too long (~1 hour), it features experts, and it has a hopeful message. "Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom" can be watched for free on the PBS website and is, as Molly pointed out, a great on-ramp for anyone new to the racial reconciliation conversations.

I'll close with the words of the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi, which Molly and I have prayed together numerous times:

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console.

To be understood, as to understand.

To be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life."