Mercy Global Action: Creating Circles and Culture of Mercy
Tylia Barnes (Americas): 'Wonderful Circles of Mercy'
Mercy Associates built 8 raised garden beds and planted fresh vegetables for Reeder Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. The church has a food pantry for the community and is located in a food desert. This allows the pantry to offer fresh vegetables to one of the poorest communities in the city. The Sisters of Mercy provided funding and Mercy Associates and Sisters built the beds from the ground up and planted vegetables for the first harvest. I’m in the center.

The symbolism of circles has far more value than its simple shape we learned as children.  They are a wonderful reminder of the infinite love of God. My first remembrance of the power of a circle was during my childhood. Eight friends and I sat together on a porch, each from different faith traditions in a prayer circle. The circle summoned us to a quiet intentional place, where we could be fully present with and accountable to one another. Together we prayed for our neighborhood and its residents. Though we did not share the same religious beliefs, we were called to community by way of circle. We also found great peace in God’s providence in our midst, reserving the center as a space for the divine. That simple time prepared me for the life I currently have in Mercy as an Associate, Emerging Leaders Fellow and employee...

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Spanish translation using DeepL Translator. Traducción al español con DeepL Translator

Tylia lives in the United States of America. She currently leads more than 700 associates for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, South Central Community, as director of Association. She is also a Mercy Associate living out a lifetime commitment of prayer, community and service where she stands in solidarity with marginalized peoples.

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